City officials in the Cherokee County community of Canton, Ga., north of Atlanta, have awarded a $7.6 million construction contract for the creation of a park in south Canton.
On Oct. 16, 2025, the city council voted 4-2 to award the contract to Diversified Construction of Georgia, located in nearby Tucker.
At the same meeting, Canton councilmembers also voted 4-2 to approve a $101,000 amendment to the existing professional services agreement with TSW, an Atlanta landscape architectural firm, to include construction administration services.
The approval comes just as the city kicks off a new pedestrian bridge project in the Sunnyside area of downtown Canton. Spanning across Canton Creek, the bridge will provide safer accessibility for the community to and from the heart of town.
On Aug. 21, Canton leaders issued a request for proposals for the complete construction of the south Canton park before receiving eight bids by the Sept. 18 submission deadline.
The Cherokee Tribune in Canton reported that councilmember Bryan Roach expressed concern that the cost to build the park could increase if DC of Georgia came back to the city council with change orders and other requests regarding the park's construction.
But Scott Hooper, Canton's director of Public Works, said that the only potential change order he could imagine on the project would be unforeseen site conditions.
"[DC of Georgia] did a lot of leg work with TSW on the project, so I feel confident that what they found is what they are comfortable with pricing," he said. "We feel like we added things in the contract that would slow those change orders and things like that down."
Hooper added that a report could be provided to the city council members to update them on the construction of the park and its financing.
Canton City Manager Billy Peppers said the city will add an owner's allowance after the bid to "[curb] any potential change orders."
"I appreciate the hard work that has gone into this. I am certainly excited about our first park in south Canton," said Mayor Bill Grant.
The future park will be located at 2939 Marietta Highway near Canton's Dairy Queen. The city purchased the 6.15-acre site in April 2022 for $1.3 million.
New Park to Offer Fun for People (and Dogs) of All Ages
The park project in south Canton will include site grading and preparation, water and sanitary sewer utility installation, stormwater conveyance and detention facilities, site lighting and parking lot construction, a restroom building and shade pavilion, a small amphitheater and stage, dog parks with splash pads, playgrounds, walking paths, trails, an elevated boardwalk over one playground, an irrigation system with a cistern, site furnishings and landscaping.
Canton leaders hope to have the park completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027, Peppers said.
Once opened to the public, the park will feature a "listen and chill lawn" with a 9,600 sq.-ft. amphitheater, 15,500 sq. ft. of open lawn space, an 8,000 sq.-ft. playground for children ages 5 and under, another playground measuring 9,800 sq.-ft. playground for older kids and small and large dog parks encompassing 5,500 sq. ft. and 15,500 sq. ft., respectively.
The two playgrounds will include synthetic turf, rubber tile surfacing, small play berms, custom animal sculpture play, a large tower, a hillside climber and slides, a sand area for small children and "sky swings" for ages 4 and up.
Similarly, the park's pair of gated dog parks will include synthetic turf and a hillside tunnel.
Plans also call for the new park to provide space for food trucks and other vendors for certain events at the venue, along with stalls and plaza seating and spaces for public art installations.
Canton received a $2.2 million state grant through the governor's Office of Planning and Budget in FY2024, according to a city news release, in addition to Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and impact fees.
Canton Creek Bridge Construction Under Way
The city's new pedestrian bridge project also was partially funded by the same grant, aimed at using state-generated American Rescue Plan Act funds to improve local neighborhoods that were disproportionally impacted during COVID.
To improve outcomes in its Sunnyside neighborhood, Canton opted to apply funds for pedestrian improvements as the area has a highly mobile pedestrian population.
"[Canton's] transportation masterplan called for several projects in this Hickory Flat Highway and Marietta Road corridor," said Bethany Watson, a city engineer. "These state funds will allow us to kickstart improvements for pedestrian connectivity with a focus on safety and walkability."
Of the several projects planned within the corridor, the first upgrade calls for the new pedestrian crossing structure over Canton Creek as well as sidewalk improvements. The project also will expedite safe travel for pedestrians as the city completes designs for a new vehicular bridge over the creek to replace the existing narrow and aging structure.
The new Canton Creek Bridge will be prefabricated using weathering steel and span more than 160 ft. over the creek, providing pedestrian-only access, unlike the old bridge that also serves vehicle traffic.
During its construction, the existing roadway and bridge will remain open, municipal officials said, because closing the road would negatively impact access to the area.
In early 2024, while planning the project, Canton's Downtown Development Authority purchased the two properties impacted by the proposed work, located at 103 and 251 Marietta Rd.
"I am excited the major gateway improvements into Canton from Hickory Flat Highway [at Interstate 575's Exit 16] will begin with increased connectivity and safety for our residents," said Mayor Bill Grant. "The new pedestrian bridge is a beacon of other great things to come for Sunnyside, including improved transportation projects, new mixed-use developments and additional greenspace and recreational enhancements. Reimaging this primary entrance into our city will ensure a good first impression for first time visitors and a better quality of life for all"
