Neighbors rally against proposed athletic park in Milton, says it would disrupt horse farm

MILTON, Ga. — Kyle Hester is living a dream at Seven Porches Farm. He and his wife, Cindy, had always yearned to have their own horse farm.

A few years ago, they found their 21-acre paradise along Hopewell Road in Milton, an area known for its horse farms.

Then, a few months back, they learned what might be moving in just beyond the fence – an athletic park.

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“There should be no reason for an active park right next to a horse farm,” Hester told Channel 2′s Bryan Mims.

The 40-acre site would include multipurpose fields, baseball fields, field lighting, and a parking lot.

“Everything that we’ve worked for, they’re talking about putting this active sports park right next door, so we didn’t know what to do,” Hester said.

He and his neighbors began circulating a petition that’s collected about 1,200 signatures. Signs have popped up in yards and roadsides that say “If you think traffic is bad now …”

“It cancels the farm,” Hester said. “There’s no way you can raise young horses and continue what we’re doing with this operation.”

But Milton city manager Steven Krokoff said it’s still unclear exactly what will happen with the property. “Now comes the planning process,” he said.

The city bought the land several months ago, with the potential for a sports park or for conservation. “We find ourselves sometimes having to jump on opportunities when they arise very quickly,” he said, referring to competition with developers when buying property in the city.

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Krokoff said two committees, formed by the city council, will study the best uses for the land and will engage the public in the process.

But he pointed out that Milton has a pressing need for athletic parks.

“We are significantly underparked for our active community,” Krokoff said. “We need to find locations to build those ball fields and football fields. Perhaps there are better places to do so, and I think that’s what we’re going to see come out of this committee.”

Hester said the last thing he wants to do is leave his dream home.

“Where else do I go? This is what we are – an equestrian farm in Milton,” he said. “We understand that you’ve bought the space, but there are so many other things you can do with it other than putting an active park by an active horse farm.

“If you claim the small-town appeal, then it doesn’t relate to a mega park.”

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