Walkers of all ages gathered Monday afternoon to kick off the official opening of the South Rockdale Community Park with a group walk.

Speakers included Rockdale Recreation Commission chair Dotti Bala, Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Oden, and Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance member Mera Cardenas. The American Legion Post 77 Color Guard opened the ceremonies, Eleanor Davis lead the Pledge of Allegiance, Bailey Bala sang the National Anthem and Pastor Reginald Ezell of World Covenant Christian Center lead the invocation.

The park, a 176 acre area located at 3909 East Fairview Road, includes a playground, covered pavilions, picnic tables and at least three Adirondack shelters and camping fire rings built with grants and by volunteers such as teams from Home Depot and the Boy Scouts. 

The park also features a 2.4 mile paved trail that is part of the PATH trail network and will eventually connect to trails leading to the Monastary of the Holy Spirit and to the Olde Town Conyers portion of the PATH trail.

"It was built of blood, sweat and tears of volunteers," said Dotti Bala of the park. "It's a great place to come and get exercise."

Oden thanked the voters who approved the 2005 SPLOST that helped fund the building of the park.

Cardenas said the PATH trail "helps make connections between communities."

For more information, go to http://www.rockdalecounty.org/main.cfm?id=3390 or call 770-278-7529 for more information on facility rental fees.