DeKalb County outlines Phase 1 reopening of Entrenchment Creek Park, targets fall opening

DeKalb County officials on Saturday laid out plans to reopen Entrenchment Creek Park Phase 1, describing trail, parking and recreational features and saying the county aims to open trail access this fall.

Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Chris Bass, who led the presentation, said Phase 1 will include a trailhead, 28 parking spaces, and “an additional 0.6 miles of trail access” built as an 8‑foot wide surface to reconnect the park to the South River Trail. He also said the county will renovate an existing radio‑control airfield and install a watchtower near the new trailhead.

Why it matters: The phased reopening is intended to restore public access lost when the park closed in October 2020. Officials said Phase 1 focuses on lower‑impact, nature‑oriented access while Phase 2 will add more active amenities.

County officials described Phase 2, a separate 23‑acre parcel, as the location for active amenities including an inclusive playground built with natural materials, a community pavilion intended for events and murals coordinated with the newly launched DeKalb Arts Council, courts for basketball and pickleball, and a splash pad.

Funding and schedule: COO Williams and other officials said funding for Phase 1 was set aside in a prior budget cycle and is available for the work; Williams referenced reallocated funds (discussed in the presentation as ARPA/Cures/other allotments) and estimated approximately $1.5 million was identified for the project. County leaders said Phase 1 is funded and that construction is expected to begin soon with a developer‑targeted completion by Labor Day weekend and a public opening planned for fall.

Community input and design choices: Assistant Director of Park Planning and Design Paige Singer said outreach included about 1,500 mailers and more than 100 responses, which informed the design choices. Singer said the decision to narrow portions of the trail from a previous 12‑foot width to 8 feet came from community visioning sessions seeking less intrusion into the forested areas; officials said they will verify regional trail standards and provide an update at a follow‑up in‑person town hall.

Safety and amenities: Officials said park rangers and DeKalb County Police will continue routine park monitoring. The county said it is considering cameras and emergency call stations for safety but has not finalized whether there will be continuous active remote monitoring. Restroom facilities are planned as part of Phase 2 next to the pavilion, though the county said it will explore interim restroom access options used at other parks if demand requires them earlier.

Next steps: Officials will post project plans on the county website, publish a newsletter with a transcript and a Q&A sheet, and hold a follow‑up in‑person town hall on June 1 at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb County Police South Precinct to address outstanding questions such as trail standards and detailed timelines.