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- Sip, Serve, Stroll and Swim: Smyrna's New $16M Pool Development
Sip, Serve, Stroll and Swim: Smyrna's New $16M Pool Development
A Dive Into Smyrna’s Transformative Tolleson Pool Project and Local Favorites
Ravi Patel
April 15, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
Dear Stewards
This week, we bring you the magic of Smyrna—where community, flavor, and fun collide.
Whether it's discovering honey wine at Viking Alchemist Meadery or enjoying a spring hike on Sope Creek Trail, Smyrna has something for everyone.
— Your Voice for Local Prosperity
In Today's Edition
🦁 The Smyrna Lions: 12 Years of Local Impact
🍯 Viking Alchemist: Mead, Magic, and Community
🥙 Taza Grill: A Flavor Gem in an Unexpected Spot
🥾 Sope Creek Trail: Ruins, Rivers, and Spring Hikes
🐣 KW’s Easter Bash: Candy, Cops & Community Vibes
👵 Senior Fun: Egg Hunts & Countywide Connections
🏗️ Tolleson Pool: $16M Renovation Details Revealed
🪴 Difference Makers
Showcasing prime examples of stewardship in action
Smyrna Jonquil Lions Club — 12 Years of Vision, Service & Community Spirit
Want to make a real difference in Smyrna? The Smyrna Jonquil Lions Club has been doing just that for over a decade — and they’re inviting you to join in.
Since 2012, this passionate team of volunteers has taken up Helen Keller’s challenge to lead a “crusade against darkness” by focusing on vision health, community support, and local service.
They’ve helped Cobb families by:
👁️ Screening 25,000+ students for vision issues at 50 local schools
💸 Funding eye exams and glasses for neighbors in need
♻️ Collecting and recycling over 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses
🏅 Partnering with Georgia Blind Sports to support athletes in goalball, tandem biking, kayaking, and more
Recently, they volunteered to clean up some of our home turf as part of the Adopt A Mile Program (featured in thumbnail). The Lions are warm, welcoming, and ready to meet you.
📲 Learn more: Lions Club Facebook Group
🦸🏻 Local Legend
Highlighting stories from hometown heroes
Hidden in Smyrna, Veteran-owned Viking Alchemist Meadery is where craft, creativity, and connection come together. Whether you’re into mead flights, game nights, or just a cozy, pet-friendly hangout—this is your spot.
Meet the makers: Tamara (COO and artist), Brian (CTO and engineer), Nick (event master and game leader), Dawn (CEO and flavor wizard), and Robin (CFO and mead label writer).
“This is a really cool local place, like a brewery but with honey wine instead of beer. They've got a good amount of indoor space and lots of board games. There's also a wide selection of meads to choose from.”
🍯 Why You'll Love It
🍑 Signature Meads: Try Bliss (Pear & Almond), Tropical Heat, or Raven—bold flavors brewed with precision.
🎲 Always Something Happening: Trivia, metal markets, fantasy board game nights—this place pulses with energy.
🍻 Popup Tasting Event
🕐 Friday, April 18, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Big Al's Liquor Store | 4150 Macland Rd #70, Powder Springs, GA 30127
🗓️ Add to Google Calendar - click here
👉 See more tastings
Viking Alchemist isn’t just a meadery—it’s a Smyrna treasure. Whether you’re a regular or first-timer, Viking Alchemist is a place where everyone feels at home.
📷 Follow Them on Instagram: @VikingAlchemist
Discovering diamonds in the rough
Behind the Gas Station: Smyrna’s Mediterranean Secret 🍽️
What makes Taza Grill special? The food, sure—but also the people. Their warmth, consistency, and connection with regulars are why we love seeing owners like them thrive in Smyrna.
“I had the gyro with fries the vegetables were fresh, the food well seasoned, and put together perfectly. We were greeted quickly and our order was taken right away. I will be returning to this little gem to try their other menu items.”
Taza’s got a cult following for good reason:
🤝 Service that feels like family
🧆 Fresh, authentic flavors - made to order
💨 Fast and friendly, even during rush hours
Whether you're vegan, carnivore, or somewhere in between, there’s a plate at Taza waiting for you — and you’ll be surprised how fast it becomes your go-to lunch spot.
📍 Taza Grill | 4641 South Atlanta Road Southeast, Smyrna, GA
📌 Take Out Only, Closed on Sundays
Already know about Taza Grill? Help spread the word by leaving a review!
🥾 Backyard Adventure:
Sope Creek Trail via Cochran Shoals
Ever wondered where the ruins of an old Civil War mill meet serene riverside paths?
Welcome to Sope Creek, Cobb's best-kept hiking secret. Not only will you take in natural beauty, but you’ll also walk through history.
📍 Cochran Shoals Trail - River Loop | 1956-2068 Eugene Gunby Rd, Marietta, GA 30067
📏 Trail Length: ~8.0 miles | Loop
⚡ Difficulty: Moderate
⏱️ Time to Complete: ~2 hours 55 minutes
🐶 Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash
💵 Fee: $5 parking. Free with a National Parks “America the Beautiful” pass.
🕐 Hours: Open daily until 9 PM
📌 AllTrails link
Trail Tip: Start early to enjoy cooler temps and fewer crowds. (Check the weather) If you're bringing a pup, keep them leashed and bring water — the shade helps, but it can still get warm!
🧬 Family Friendly
Fun for the little ones (and some peace for the grownups)
Hop on Over — KW’s Egg-cellent Family Event
Get ready for candy, community, and spring cheer! Keller Williams Cityside is back with their Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and you’re invited.
Special guests include Smyrna Fire & Police — come say hi, snap pics, and hunt for goodies!
🕐 Thursday, April 17 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 KW Cityside | 3350 Atlanta Rd SE, Smyrna
🎟️ Free | Register on Eventbrite
📞 (404) 225-2571 | Call / Text for details
🗓️ Add to Google Calendar - click here
🕰️ Golden Hour
Empowering our seniors
Talk Policy Over Coffee — Cobb’s Capitol Forum Is Here
Want to know what your lawmakers actually did this year? Now’s your chance.
Meet Cobb County’s State House Reps and Senators at the 2025 Legislative Delegation Forum, hosted by the Senior Citizen Council and Cobb Senior Services.
🕐 Tuesday, April 22 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Senior Wellness Center | 1150 Powder Springs St, Marietta
🎟️ Free | registration required (limited seating)
🗓 Add to your Google Calendar - click here
A Senior-Hosted Easter Egg Bash
Looking for some springtime fun for the whole family?
Charter Senior Living of Vinings is hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt — and all ages are welcome!
🕐 Saturday, April 19 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Charter Senior Living of Vinings | 2401 Cumberland Pkwy SE, Atlanta (Behind Publix)
🎟️ Free, but registration required
📞 (770) 435-4477 | Call for details
🗓️ Add to your Google Calendar - click here
Bring your kids, grandkids, or just your love for spring. Hop into the fun with your neighbors at this sweet seasonal celebration.
🪙 The Rundown
Analyzing the local economy
🏊♀️ Tolleson Pool Gets a $16M Glow-Up
🏗️ 60 years – Age of the original Tolleson Pool
📅 May 2027 – Target grand opening
⏳ 24–30 months – Timeline for design + construction
🏊♀️ 500 guests – New max capacity (up from 180)
💰 $16–18 million – Projected cost
💸 $40–50 million – Cost avoided by not building an indoor facility
🌊 6+ new features – Heated competition pool, lazy river, family pool, splash pad, waterslide, shaded play area, and more
🧑🤝🧑 1,000+ residents – Provided input that shaped the design
🧾 SPLOST + public financing – Funding sources
🏆 1 of 2 – Smyrna is the only Cobb County city with two city-run pools
🎤 Speak Up, Smyrna
Your chance to shape local projects, policies, and progress.
Build the Smyrna You Want to See
🚨 Don't forget to complete the resident input survey for Smyrna Downtown before it closes at 9:00 pm on Friday, April 18th!
Your Move, Smyrna-Vinings Residents!
🌻 Good things grow when neighbors share. Forward this to a friend.
🧭 Support our local businesses! Visit our directories for Smyrna & Vinings
📣 Spotlight a local gem or listing? Send it our way
💬 Chat with your neighbors: CobbTalk Forum
📜 Quote of the Week
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” — Robert Brault
📬 Stay in the loop: Sign up for Smyrna-Vinings news delivered right to your inbox every week
Thanks for reading, and for being a good steward of your community. We'll see you next week!
— The Stewardship Group
👋 P.S. Stewardship Challenge of the Week.
Wave at 5 neighbors this week, and we’re pretty sure the pollen won’t bother you as much. Science? Maybe. Stewardship? Definitely.