SR 883: Roswell Arts Festival; celebrate 60th anniversary

Senate Resolution 883

By: Senators Albers of the 56th, Dickerson of the 21st, Still of the 48th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and McLaurin of the 14th

A RESOLUTION

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Roswell Arts Festival; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Roswell Arts Festival was founded 60 years ago by a group of civic-minded residents, becoming the first arts festival in North Fulton County and establishing a tradition of community-led cultural engagement that continues to this day; and

WHEREAS, for six decades, the Roswell Arts Festival has been organized and operated by residents and volunteers, including multiple generations of service, reflecting a deep and enduring commitment to the cultural, civic, and recreational life of the City of Roswell; and

WHEREAS, the festival was created not only to celebrate art, music, and community but also to serve as an additional funding source for public recreation and park improvements, ensuring that proceeds generated by the event are reinvested directly into the community; and

WHEREAS, over its 60-year history, the Roswell Arts Festival has contributed more than $1 million toward the development, expansion, and enhancement of Roswell's public parks, recreational facilities, cultural assets, and community spaces; and

WHEREAS, festival proceeds have supported foundational investments in Roswell's recreation system, including the installation of athletic field lighting at Woodstock Park, funding a portion of the City's first recreation director salary, and contributing to Roswell's first Recreation and Parks Master Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Roswell Arts Festival has played a significant role in the creation, expansion, and improvement of major parks, including Roswell Area Park, East Roswell Park, Don White Park, Grimes Bridge Park, Old Mill Park, Groveway Park, Riverside Park, Chattahoochee River Park, and Mill Park; and

WHEREAS, festival funding has helped acquire and preserve critical parkland, including contributions toward the purchase of 63 acres and an additional 9.37 acres for Roswell Area Park, the acquisition of property for Grimes Bridge Park, and the preservation of 38 acres along the Chattahoochee River through the Trust for Public Land; and

WHEREAS, the festival has funded or supported athletic and recreational facilities throughout Roswell, including ball fields, athletic fields, the Roswell Area Park Athletic Field, the Roswell High School athletic field, adaptive fields, outdoor fitness equipment, swimming and therapeutic pools, spraygrounds, playgrounds, shade structures, and equipment for recreation centers; and

WHEREAS, the Roswell Arts Festival has made substantial investments in community and cultural facilities, including contributions to the Visual Arts Center and its expansion, Arts Center West improvements such as blacksmith facilities and a train kiln, furnishings and equipment for the Community Activity Building and Adult Recreation Center, and updates to the Recreation and Parks Master Plan; and

WHEREAS, festival proceeds have supported community gathering spaces and special projects, including renovations at Town Square, the Vickery Creek Dam, Serenity Garden, Leita Thompson Memorial Garden, trail systems, and site planning for Old Mill Park; and

WHEREAS, the Roswell Arts Festival stands as a model of how resident leadership, volunteerism, and cultural programming can produce lasting public benefit, strengthening community identity while delivering tangible improvements enjoyed by generations of Roswell residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Roswell Arts Festival in honor of its immense and enduring impact on the City of Roswell as well as extend best wishes for continued success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.