Save Bill Evans Field — Before It’s Too Late

BE THE VOCAL MAJORITY!!! We are asking you to raise your voice, not your wallet.

The College Park City Council still has time to reverse its vote to sell Bill Evans Field. We’re calling on Councilwoman McKenzie and the entire Council to reconsider this decision, stop the sale, and return this land to the community.

This is one of the last major green spaces in the city—and we’re giving it away.

Over 6 acres of community recreation land, including Bill Evans Field, is being sold for just $1.5 million. And to make the deal work, the city is spending $825,000 of taxpayer money to relocate a tower sitting on the property.

 

 

 

 

Let’s do the math:

$1.5 million minus $825,000 leaves a net gain of only $675,000.

That’s about $112,500 per acre—for prime, active land in the heart of College Park.

A deal like that wouldn’t fly in any neighboring city. And for what? More apartments.

But here’s what most residents don’t know: this deal is not final.

The Council can vote to reconsider—and they should.

Why this matters

Bill Evans Field sits in Councilwoman McKenzie’s ward. For decades, it’s been a vital hub for youth sports, day camps, community fitness, and college partnerships—including with Clark Atlanta. Morehouse College and World Series champion Marquis Grissom offered a multi-million dollar plan to restore the field—a real investment in our kids and our city. That opportunity was dismissed.

Instead, the Council voted to sell—and then approved spending public money to help the buyer, including the $825,000 just to move the tower. That doesn’t include future costs tied to utility work, fiber relocation, or replacing the lost recreational space elsewhere.

This field was never meant to be sold.

Located beside the housing authority, Bill Evans Field is one of the few walkable, accessible, family-friendly spaces left in College Park. Take it away, and families lose more than just a ballfield—they lose a gathering place.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

There is still a way forward

Longtime resident and former councilmember Ambrose Clay​ pointed out something critical: the Council can vote to reconsider. At the April 7, 2025 meeting, when the Council approved moving the tower, they could choose now not to follow through. This would effectively withdraw the deal—without triggering the full cost of replacing the tower.

And here’s the bigger picture: there’s ample land available in Six West, already zoned and ready for development. If the city truly wants new apartments, they can go there—at market rate, with real benefit to the city.

This is about more than a field.

It’s about whether College Park invests in what makes it livable, connected, and healthy—or sells off our community assets at a discount. It’s about whether we listen to residents or cater to developers.

We ask:

• That the City Council vote to reconsider and reverse the sale of Bill Evans Field.
• That the land be restored as protected recreational space.
• That taxpayer dollars be used to build up—not tear down—what’s best for our community.

Councilwoman McKenzie, your constituents are watching.
This is your ward. This is your moment.

We urge you and your colleagues to lead with the people.

Save Bill Evans Field.

Sign your name. Share this message. Let your voice be heard—before it’s too late. BE THE VOCAL MAJORITY!!!

#SaveBillEvansField #CollegeParkDeservesBetter #GreenSpaceMatters #DoTheRightThing