The Fulton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement Wednesday, March 5, 2025, that clears the way for the City of College Park to develop a new botanical garden on the county-owned Camp Truitt property at 4300 Herschel Road.

The Fulton Board of Commissioners approved a land lease agreement to College Park for the roughly 40-acre Camp Truitt site. Earlier in the week, the College Park City Council passed a resolution to provide $5.4 million to create the garden.

“This is going to be an investment that will be enjoyed by generations to come,” said Fulton Board Chairman Robb Pitts. “The botanical garden will be an urban oasis that will add to the quality of life for our residents in the south Fulton region providing them with a wonderful place to get closer to nature close to home.”

Approximately 32 acres of the site are expected to be used for the botanical garden. The agreement ensures that current uses on the remainder of the site, including a 4-H camp, senior center, GROWL community garden and cooperative education programs, will continue uninterrupted. Fulton County commissioners added the stipulation that a community liaison will be appointed.

The lease term is 50 years at $1 per year, with an option for a 50-year extension.

“On behalf of College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and my fellow city council members, I want to express our community’s appreciation to Fulton County for joining with us in what we believe is an incredible addition to the south Fulton region,” said College Park Ward 4 Councilman Roderick Gay, a horticulturist who has been a longtime advocate for developing a new botanical garden in the county. “It will not only attract thousands of visitors throughout the metro Atlanta area and across the state but because of its location to the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport it will be a destination for tourists from around the world.”

Over the next several months, Gay said College Park will develop the initial plans to create the garden which will include a welcoming facility and educational center.