A new phase of improvements at Rock Springs Park officially opened at a recent ribbon cutting that celebrated the addition of a lighted dog park, a new playground, and a soccer complex.

With the happy shrieks and delighted laughter of children on the adjoining playground in the background, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said that events like the park ribbon cutting are among the more fun aspects of her job.

“One of the advantages of having served in Gwinnett County for as long as I have is that I can look back at the beginning of some of these projects and see what has come about,” she said. “It’s always amazing to me that what actually got built exceeds my expectations. That’s a real credit to our Parks and Recreation staff and our private-sector partners working these projects.”

The $5.9 million project was funded by revenue from the 2009 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Nash said that many projects enjoyed by the public wouldn’t get built without the taxpayers’ continued support of the sales tax.

District 1 Commissioner Jace Brooks, whose district encompasses Rock Springs Park, said the park will allow young people to learn about sports and sportsmanship while enjoying physical exercise.

“The soccer fields offer opportunities for our diverse population to gather together to play the world’s most popular sport, get to know each other a little better, and hopefully to build connections and strengthen our community,” Brooks said. “We all know that few things unite a community like a sports team.”

He noted that Rock Springs Park also has the County’s first lighted dog park, which allows people to take their pets to the park after work and to socialize with other dog lovers in the cool evenings.

The park expansion project includes an 11,600-square-foot playground with an open shelter. The playground features climbing structures, swings, and even a zip-line. The new park additions also feature a 2.3-acre dog park, con­nections to the existing loop trail, a new park entrance, and 340 additional parking spaces.

The new soccer complex has three fields and a concession-restroom build­ing, but the fields won’t be available for play until the spring when the grass is established. The Collins Hill Athletic Association will offer soccer beginning in spring 2018. Visit the Collins Hill Athletic Association website at www.chaasports.com.