(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 22, 2017) – Alexander Park southwest of Lawrenceville will expand to more than 132 acres after Gwinnett commissioners agreed Tuesday to buy an adjoining 40.7 acres south of the current park for $3,714,000.

The land has road frontage on both Scenic Highway (State Route 124) and Old Snellville Highway. The County plans to use the heavily wooded rectangular property as a nature preserve to be named the Ezzard Nature Preserve at Alexander Park and dedicated to the memory of Dr. Webster P. Ezzard and Dr. George P. Ezzard.

Board Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “This greenspace purchase shows our continued commitment to preserving open space and passive recreational opportunities. Once again, we’re grateful for voter support of SPLOST that provides needed funding for parks and recreation capital improvements.”

“Alexander Park is one of our most popular parks for walking and hiking, and we hope to expand the trail system in the future,” said District 3 Commissioner Tommy Hunter. “We appreciate the Ezzard family’s willingness to sell this property to Gwinnett County to be preserved as park land.”

The existing 91-acre passive park at 800 Old Snellville Highway features a 1.7-mile paved trail and a one-mile natural trail along with a lake, fishing, playground, pavilions and an 18-hole disc golf course. In total, Gwinnett County manages nearly 49 parks and 10,000 acres of greenspace.