Neighborhood Pride, Park Upgrades, and Holiday Prep

Good morning Stewards,

What a weekend it was! The Juneteenth Celebration, along with Saturday's Pride celebration proved once again that Smyrna knows how to throw a party that feels both festive and deeply rooted in community values.

Between the ribbon cutting at our newly renovated Creatwood Park, the buzz around Fourth of July preparations, and some important county-level conversations about infrastructure funding, this week's edition covers everything from hyperlocal park improvements to the bigger picture of how we fund our community's future.

I also spent time Sunday evening chatting with neighbors about their Fourth of July plans: and more importantly, their pets' anxiety levels. More on that practical topic below.

As always, this newsletter thrives because you share it, engage with it, and make it part of your weekly routine. Hit reply and let me know what's on your mind as we head into holiday weekend.

Stay engaged, Smyrna-Vinings.

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

In Today's Edition

• 🎪 Pride Success Story: How Smyrna's Festival Doubled Its Impact

• 🏛️ Civic Spotlight: Cobb County's Infrastructure Funding Conversation

• 🎾 Difference Makers: Creatwood Park's Fresh Start for Young Families

• 🎆 Stewards Watch: Fourth of July Safety Guide for Pets and People

• 💼 Job Board: City Recreation & Community Development Opportunities

• 🏗️ Public Pulse: Sales Tax Renewal Could Shape Our Future

• 🗓️ Event Horizon: Your Fourth of July Week in Smyrna-Vinings

Pride Success Story: Community Celebration Doubles Its Reach

Saturday's Smyrna Pride festival delivered on organizers' promise of being "bigger, brighter, and more fabulous than ever" – and the numbers back up the enthusiasm.

This year's event at Market Village drew approximately double the attendance of previous years, establishing itself as Cobb County's premiere Pride celebration and proving that authentic community events can grow organically without losing their neighborhood character.

What impressed me most wasn't just the size, but the seamless integration of longtime residents, new families, local businesses, and visitors who clearly felt welcomed rather than merely tolerated.

The economic impact rippled through our small business community, with food trucks reporting strong sales and local vendors moving inventory that'll help sustain their operations through the summer months.

Here's what this success story tells us about Smyrna: when events are genuinely inclusive and well-organized, they enhance rather than strain our community infrastructure.

The festival managed significant growth while maintaining the intimate, neighborly atmosphere that makes these celebrations special.

Civic Spotlight: The Infrastructure Conversation We Need to Have

While we were celebrating over the weekend, Cobb County leaders were having important conversations about renewing the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) that funds major infrastructure projects throughout our region.

This isn't abstract policy, it's the mechanism that pays for road improvements, park upgrades, public safety equipment, and transit infrastructure that directly impacts daily life in Smyrna and Vinings.

The current SPLOST generates approximately $1.27 billion over its lifespan, funding everything from the trail systems we enjoy to the traffic improvements that keep our commutes manageable.

What makes this particularly relevant for our community: Smyrna's strategic location and continued growth make us a priority beneficiary of county-wide infrastructure investments, especially transportation and connectivity projects.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Creatwood Park: A Fresh Start for Growing Families

Friday's ribbon cutting at the renovated Creatwood Park represents exactly the kind of investment that makes neighborhoods more livable for the long term.

Ward 6 Councilman Tim Gould championed this $400,000 transformation using American Rescue Plan Act funds, turning what was essentially "two non-compliant swing sets in a heavily wooded area" into a modern playground that serves families with children of all ages and abilities.

The new amenities include ADA-compliant equipment, a six-bay swing set, connected play towers with rope bridges, a playground spinner, and a timber pavilion with picnic facilities.

More importantly, the renovation reflects a broader city strategy of investing in neighborhood-level amenities that encourage residents to enjoy their immediate surroundings rather than always traveling elsewhere for recreation.

Visit soon: The landscaping is at its summer peak, and the playground equipment is designed for Georgia's climate. Morning visits before 10 AM offer the best experience before heat becomes overwhelming.

STEWARDS WATCH
Fourth of July Safety: Pets, People, and Practical Tips

With Independence Day falling on Friday, this week brings both celebration opportunities and safety considerations, especially for our four-legged community members.

For pet owners: Fireworks anxiety affects a significant percentage of dogs, and July 4th consistently ranks as the highest day for pet escapes nationwide. Here's your action plan:

• Create a quiet safe space indoors with familiar bedding and toys

• Use white noise or calming music to mask firework sounds

• Walk dogs earlier in the day before festivities begin

• Ensure ID tags are current and consider GPS tracking devices

• Check with your veterinarian about calming aids if your pet has severe anxiety

For everyone: Wednesday through Sunday will see increased traffic around celebration venues. Plan extra travel time and consider alternative routes if you're avoiding crowds.

Emergency preparedness: Keep contact information handy for your veterinarian and the closest 24-hour animal hospital. Many pets go missing during fireworks displays, so report lost animals immediately to local shelters and social media groups.

PUBLIC PULSE
Sales Tax Renewal: The Decision That Shapes Our Next Decade

The upcoming conversation about SPLOST renewal deserves your attention because it determines how we fund major infrastructure improvements through 2035.

Current projects funded by this 1% sales tax include road resurfacing, intersection improvements, park renovations (like the Creatwood Park project), and public safety facility upgrades.

Without renewal, these improvements either don't happen or require significant property tax increases to fund – meaning homeowners bear the full burden instead of sharing costs with everyone who shops and dines in Cobb County.

Public input opportunities: County commissioners will hold community meetings throughout July and August. These sessions influence project prioritization, so attendance matters if you have opinions about which improvements should take priority.

Timeline: Final decisions expected by early fall, with implementation beginning in 2026 if approved.

👋 Until Next Tuesday

As we head into Independence Day weekend, it's worth reflecting on what the Fourth of July actually commemorates: a community's decision to take responsibility for its own governance and future.

That same spirit of civic engagement shows up in smaller ways every week – in city council meetings, park renovations, Pride celebrations, and infrastructure planning sessions.

The thread connecting 1776 to 2025 isn't just historical continuity – it's the ongoing choice citizens make to participate in shaping their community rather than just residing within it.

Whether that's volunteering for trail maintenance, attending public meetings about sales tax renewal, or simply checking on neighbors during holiday celebrations, civic engagement remains a daily choice.

Make choices this week that strengthen our community fabric.

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Thanks for being a part of this movement towards a brighter future for our city.
— The Stewardship Group

P.S. Stewardship Challenge of the Week
This holiday weekend, take a moment to thank someone who serves our community – whether that's a parks maintenance worker, local business owner, volunteer firefighter, or neighbor who organizes community events.

Recognition matters, and civic engagement includes celebrating the people who make our town work.