The city of Powder Springs in Cobb County approved funding this week for a new park that will connect its downtown to the Silver Comet Trail.

City Council approved the issuance of $4.2 million in bonds to help pay for the park, with total cost estimated at about $5.75 million.

The small town of 15,000 is hoping to position itself as a favored trailhead for some of the hundreds of thousands of visitors who descend on the Silver Comet each year.

Mayor Al Thurman said he understood some people’s concern about taking on debt to pay for the park, but that the majority of the community wanted the park, the plan for which emerged from a Livable Centers Initiative study.

“We need something to boost our downtown,” Thurman said.

VIDEO: In other Cobb news

The Braves have tweaked how fans get to games at SunTrust Park. Drivers can now pay for parking with credit cards at certain lots. There will be a second Uber pick-up/drop-off spot. ADA parking will be consolidated in an effort for more accessibility.

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