The City of Thomasville has begun implementing a Parks & Recreation Master Plan that was completed in 2023 and serves as the guiding force behind current major renovations at Balfour Park, Cassidy Park, and Paradise Park. The plan calls for an investment of over $11 million in the entire park system.
City Manager Chris White says that both City Leadership and the Thomasville City Council are committed to executing the Parks & Recreation Master Plan in order to improve Thomasville’s park system. “With the support of City Council, we understand and are committed to the positive impact that a renovated park system brings to our community,” said White. “The recommended investment from the master plan is a challenge that has required efficient spending and creative funding for current and future projects.”
White noted that a combination of City capital investment, federal & state grants, and private funding are making current and future park renovations possible. “Improvements at all three parks have received grant funding specific to projects within each park,” said White. “Additional improvements wouldn’t be possible without the funding, support, and collaboration from local partners, whose involvement has been essential to moving these projects forward.”
Partnerships include the restoration of the Paradise Park historic bandstand by Thomasville Landmarks and the concept and design of the disc golf course at Cassidy Park by the Red Hills Disc Golf Association and Hands on Thomas County. “Friends of Paradise Park,” a local group comprised of private citizens interested in park improvements, helped secure private donations of matching funds and a $3 million grant from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program.
According to Director of Parks & Recreation Mike Owens, the master plan provided the City with an efficient and prioritized plan to upgrade the City’s parks. “In order to move forward with an efficient park improvement investment strategy, it was necessary to understand the usage of our existing parks, along with the needs and desires of our community,” said Owens. “The plan identified Balfour Park, Cassidy Park, and Paradise Park as first priority parks for improvements.”
Paradise Park Phase I renovations began in early 2025 and are now complete, pending new lighting installation. “This phase of the renovations has already been a game changer,” noted Owens. “Restoration of the historic carriageways and bandstand, accessible walking paths, and new park benches are already drawing many visitors to Paradise Park. The installation of new pedestrian lighting is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.”
Phase II renovations at Paradise Park are expected to be completed in 2027 and will provide park visitors with new playground equipment, restrooms, and a six-acre Longleaf Pine/wiregrass restoration. The City is working closely with Tall Timbers, a nationally recognized leader in wildlife and conservation. This initiative supports a long-term vision to create a living laboratory that promotes community education and raises awareness of the ecological significance of the Red Hills and Longleaf Pine ecosystem.
Plans for improvements at Balfour Park and Cassidy Park also continue to move forward. “We’re excited about the improvement projects scheduled to take place at these parks,” said Owens. “Cassidy Park visitors will soon enjoy a new restroom facility, parking improvements, a walking trail, fishing dock, pavilion, and disc golf course.” Owens added, “Phase I of Balfour Park is currently in the design stage and is expected to provide the community with amenities including new restrooms, a pavilion, and a water feature.”
The Balfour Park project will be funded with a combination of a federal grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and local SPLOST dollars set aside for recreation. The Cassidy Park project will be fully funded by a state grant that stipulates funding for park improvements in areas where residents don’t have easy access to other recreation facilities. White emphasized that grants awarded for park projects must be used specifically for park improvements, as required by state and federal guidelines. Funding cannot be transferred to other City projects like street paving or sidewalk improvements.
“The extensive public input process to develop our parks master plan clearly defined a vision for the future of the City’s parks and recreation system,” said White. “We are incredibly appreciative of the community support and financial assistance for these current projects. Although funding is a challenge, we are committed to pursuing all public and private revenue sources available to continue renovating our entire park system.”
For more information about current park renovation projects or the City of Thomasville’s Parks Master Plan, please visit thomasville.org/parks-master-plan or contact Public Information Manager Ricky Zambrano at 229-227-7041.