Garrard Park Opens in West Rome

Rome and Floyd County officials cut the ribbon on a $1.6 million park featuring a pedal track, climbing structure, and restrooms.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Hiking

Bold vector editorial illustration of an oval pedal track and a climbing frame on an open green field, in coral, teal, and mustard. — Rome and Floyd County officials opened the $1.6 million Garrard Park in West Rome on Friday, built on the former GE property on Redmond Circle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rome and Floyd County officials opened Garrard Park in West Rome on Friday. The park includes an oval-shaped pedal track, a central climbing structure, and restrooms.

Why it matters

The park was built on the former GE property on Redmond Circle after an original West Rome site was deemed unsuitable because it sat in a floodplain. Its completion gives local families a new recreation space in West Rome.

The park cost $1.6 million, with the City of Rome contributing $160,000 and federal funds through the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority covering most of the remainder. Maintenance funding after opening was not addressed in the source material.

The players

Pennant Construction

Pennant Construction is the firm awarded the contract to build Garrard Park.

Northwest Georgia Housing Authority

The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority administered the federal funds that paid for most of the park.

The details

Pennant Construction built the park under a contract awarded by the Rome City Commission this spring. The park is named after the Garrard family and sits near the GE Trails, which include 11 miles of mountain biking trails.

Spring 2026: Rome City Commission awarded the construction contract to Pennant Construction.
October 2026: Deadline to complete the park in order to use available federal funds.
November 6, 2026: Garrard Park officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Local Recreation Investment

Garrard Park follows the pattern of Rome using federal housing funds for community recreation infrastructure, with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority administering the money. The project's October completion deadline shaped how quickly the city had to move.

Families in West Rome now have a free pedal track, climbing structure, and restrooms within the park. The adjacent GE Trails offer 11 miles of mountain biking for riders who want to go farther.

The takeaway

Garrard Park shows how a federal funding deadline can push a city to finish a project quickly, and how a former industrial property can be repurposed for public recreation. Residents interested in outdoor activity can use the park as a starting point for exploring nearby trails.