Where is Winder Legacy Park? 
The park is located at 84 West Midland Avenue on the CFIT campus near the Winder Library.
Google Maps page for Winder Legacy Park

When is the park open?
The park is open every day from dawn to dusk. Please be kind to our neighbors and leave the park once the sun goes down.  Overnight use is prohibited.

Is there an entry fee to use the park?
No, there is no fee to enter the park and armbands are not required (armbands were only used during the Grand Opening Festival).  The park is free and open to the public.

Where can I park my car? 
Back-in parking spaces, including designated spaces for people with disabilities, are available on Midland Avenue near the playground.  Additional parking is available at the Library and on the CFIT Campus at the Bellview Street entrance when the school is closed.  A larger parking area will be developed in the near future.

What attractions are available at the park?
The park includes a 1/3-mile concrete walking trail, an event field and a state-of-the-art ADA-accessible destination playground. The playground features swings, a zip-line, a slide, a rock-climbing apparatus, several other elements and The Barrowsaurus, a 28-foot rope pyramid. The playground has a unique design and modern features that provide inclusive play for all ages.

What ADA-accessible playground features are available?
The playground is wheelchair accessible with several features catered to those with disabilities, including the Universal Carousel (featured in the image below), as well as several swings and other elements around the playground. There also several play pieces under the Barrowsaurus that cater to children with sensory and autism.

Is the Barrowsaurus climbing structure safe for kids?

The Barrowsaurus rope-climbing structure uses an interlocking web of ropes that is specially engineered to protect kids from falls of no more than six feet, which complies with US playground safety standards. The gap sizes and pyramid-like upward slope of the ropes are key aspects of this design, and the foam-core reinforced turf under the structure provides additional safety. Large pyramid rope structures like the Barrowsaurus have been used successfully in Europe and other parts of the US for many years now and are becoming increasingly popular. Children should be at least 5 years old to climb the structure and should always have adult supervision.

What other amenities are available?
The park has two small pavilions with two picnic tables each, a large pavilion with 20 picnic tables, a drinking fountain, restrooms and three shade sails covering parts of the playground.

Can I bring pets to the park? 
Yes!  Leashed animals are welcome in all areas of the park EXCEPT the playground.  No pets on the playground, please. The Winder city ordinance requires residents to clean up after pets.

What other rules are there?
Please observe all posted park rules. Shirts and shoes are required on the playground and throughout the park.  No food, drinks or gum are allowed on the playground.  Additional important rules and responsibilities are posted throughout the park and can be found here.

Can I rent a pavilion for a gathering? 
Pavilions are available on first come, first served basis during regular park hours, daily from dawn to dusk.

Is there a splashpad? 
Not yet. A splashpad is part of the park’s master plan, but was not included in Phase 1.

Can we play in the sprinklers?
We know the sprinklers are tempting, especially on a hot day.  But playing in the sprinklers damages the young, tender grass and risks breaking the sprinkler heads, which results in costly repairs that will delay the development of the park.  Parents are asked not to allow children to play in sprinklers.

What other features are in the master plan? 
In addition to the splashpad, future developments include more shade trees around the walking path, a food truck plaza, dog parks for large and small dogs, sports courts, reading nooks, a pollinator meadow, a bioswale, outdoor classroom/amphitheater, a tree house and a parking lot.  These additions will be made as the final funding becomes available.

How was the park built?
Winder Legacy Park is the result of a public-private partnership that began in 2019.  Two Barrow County dads, Douglas Mitchell and Philip Gossling, had an idea to build a community park and playground on the Old Russell Middle School campus when they heard that Barrow County School System was interested in finding a use for the space.  They worked closely with the Barrow Community Foundation and Barrow County Schools to organize a planning committee and fund-raising campaign with Chris Maddox and Philip as co-chairs. The group raised funds from many local individuals and businesses and broke ground on the park in the fall of 2023.  The park opened on June 15, 2024.

What was the vision and purpose behind the park?
The vision behind Winder Legacy Park is to be a place where learning and play come together. The park was designed to encourage children of all ages, and their parents, to get outside, socialize and play together, and help build a vibrant community. The name “Winder Legacy” was chosen because it reflects the fact that so many in our community came together selflessly to make this park a reality, and it honors the legacy of the property that has been used as a school and community gathering space for more than 100 years.

How much did the park cost?
More than $5 million dollars was raised to build the park, with most of the funding coming from private individuals and local businesses.  The land belongs to the Barrow County School System, the streetscaping was provided by the City of Winder, and the Barrow County Board of Commissioners invested funds that were designated for recreation to support the park. Major donors include the Philip and Shellie Gossling Foundation, Akins Ford, Harrison Poultry, Northeast Georgia Health System, Republic Services, The Brantley Family Foundation, Chris and Paige Maddox, Doug and Shauna Mitchell, Hill’s Ace Hardware and Building Supply, Magbee Contractors Supply, Kiwanis Club of Winder, Vankirk Electric and many others.  A complete list of donors is displayed on the Donor Wall at the entrance to the park.

Is more funding needed to complete the park?
We are actively seeking additional donors to help us finish the park, with several naming opportunities still available! Thanks to the generous support of our current donors, many of whom have made 5-year pledges extending to 2026, most of the foundational work has already been funded.  This support covered essential but less visible expenses in Phase 1, including planning, design, engineering, land development, and significant investments in concrete, sod, landscaping, irrigation, drainage, signage, shade sails, pavilions, lighting, and security features. With this crucial infrastructure in place, we are now in the final stretches of the project.  We will continue to add features as pledged funds become available, and your support will help bring the final touches to this community treasure.

How can I help support the park?
If you are interested in becoming a donor, please contact the Barrow Community Foundation at info@barrowcf.org.  Donations of any size are welcome and appreciated, and can be made by contacting us. In addition, individuals, families and businesses can purchase brick pavers to make your mark on the park.  Brick pavers can be ordered here.