'The Friends for Tritt Park' Effort Launches

A neighborhood group that opposes the proposed Isakson Living senior complex in East Cobb has begun an effort to purchase the Tritt property and use it to expand East Cobb Park.

"The Friends for Tritt Park" drive was announced Saturday by the Concerned Citizens over Isakson Living East Cobb, and will hold a public input meeting later this month. 

According to a post written by Robert Burke, the effort is being launched to gauge public interest in raising money to acquire 53.7 acres owned by Wylene Tritt on Roswell Road next to East Cobb Park and convert it into an extension of the park. 

It's the tract of land that has been under contract to Isakson Living pending its rezoning request for nearly 1,000-unit senior living facility. Earlier this week the developer withdrew the request because of community opposition, but plans to revise its proposal and refile early next year. 

The Concerned Citizens group has come out against any large-scale development on the land, including whatever revisions Isakson Living may submit.

"The comments that people left when they signed the online petition against this rezoning are revealing," wrote Burke, a resident of the nearby Mitsy Forest neighborhood. "Most people complained about traffic, but the second biggest concern was about green space in Cobb County. Anything that happens to that property will result in more traffic. However, a park results in a good kind of traffic. No one lives at a park, so there is no rush hour traffic."

He cited non-profit "friends" groups created to develop East Cobb Park and Mabry Park as models for the new organization, and a new park would be named after the Tritt family in its honor.

Burke asked that any interested parties not contact Wylene Tritt. 

"Despite what some people may believe, Mrs. Tritt was never going to outright donate her land to the county, nor should she have to," he continued. 

"She should be paid a fair market value for her land. She has children and grandchildren, and she wants to leave them a good inheritance, just like any of us would. We cannot fault her for that.

"If we want the Tritt land, we will need to work for it, and pay for at least part of it ourselves. I think we have nothing to lose, and much to gain, so let's go for it!"

The meeting to discuss the Tritt Park proposal has been scheduled for Oct. 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the East Cobb Library.