Do you think Briarwood Park needs some sprucing up?

Maybe you'd like to get rid of the chain link fences or put up lights on the tennis courts. Or you'd like some better amenities by the pool. Wet bar, anyone? Or you’re just tired of looking at weeds.

Now’s your chance to do something about it. After months of residents asking the county to make changes, the “Friends of Briarwood Park” group is forming. This group will work with Park Pride, a non-profit organization that improves Atlanta’s parks. You can set priorities for park improvements and raise money, which could be matched up to $40,000 by Park Pride.

The first meeting is tonight, July 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Briarwood Park Recreation Center. Even if you’re not ready to run for public office, you could be on the leadership team for the park group. Or just select someone else to run the show. 

You won't be alone. Brookhaven residents have been asking for improvements to the rec center for some time and have expressed frustration that Dekalb County, which runs the park, has not moved more quickly.

Some changes are already underway, though. A new playground and pavilion are going up at Briarwood Road and Briarwood Way. Construction is scheduled to begin by mid-August, according to the county, and should be finished around December.

And last month, county crews cleared out some weeds with the help of Brookhaven residents.