Planning for downtown Albany Riverfront Park splash pad replacement ongoing

ALBANY – Since Dougherty County removed the downtown splash pad in 2024 there have been pleas to replace it from the public and downtown businesses hoping for more foot traffic. 

While the plan was to have something in place at a quicker pace, the rush has been slowed as officials work to come up with a master plan for Riverfront Park that also will see a renovation of the Turtle Grove Play Park in close proximity to the former splash pad location on North Front Street.

This summer, the county has rented a portable water feature for weekends, largely due to popular demand.

Currently the Artesian Alliance, which operates the Flint RiverQuarium on the same block is working on the master plan that will include both of those projects. 

The Dougherty County Commission has funds set aside from special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST) initiatives for work, and U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rafael Warnock have expressed interest in providing funding.

“I know we want to update the Turtle Grove,” County Commissioner Victor Edwards said. “Some of the stuff down at Turgle Grove is 25 years old. I’m excited that we will have something for the public. We’re still working on the master plan. We’re waiting for a clear direction.”

In addition to giving local children something to do, the park could be a destination for out-of-town visitors and lead to visitors in town on business extending their stays to take advantage of the features, the commissioner said.

“I think that will help with downtown visitation and improve downtown stays if people have something to do while they’re down there,” Edwards said.

A design team has been enlisted to work on the plans, Artesian Alliance Executive Director Leslie Stout said. She did not have a timeline for when those plans could be presented to the County Commission.

The alliance is the organization under which the RiverQuarium and Thronateeska Heritage Center operate. County officials have left the process largely to the alliance so that it fits in with nearby RiverQuarium.

The construction of a new water feature and renovating the play park are both needed, Commissioner Anthony Jones said.

“Everybody loves water,” he said. “I think it will be an excellent tool, especially recreation for the children. Keeping kids at the park during the summer will help keep them out of trouble. We’ve just got to make sure we do it right.”