The Walk at Sandy Run brings hope

The city of Warner Robins held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday to celebrate the grand opening of its new green space park, The Walk at Sandy Run.

The new park is about 22 acres featuring a boardwalk trail, large lawn space area, two slides that are placed on an earth mound, and a pavilion. Total cost for the park is around $1.6 million is funded by SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax).

Before cutting the ribbon officials welcomed everyone and held a special dedication to the park.

“I am overwhelmingly blessed by the turn out of today,” said Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms. “Today we dedicated two parts of the park to two young men who tragically lost their lives, but their legacy will remain here in this park and our city as well as all the victims of violent crimes. As you enter the park you will see an eternal flame that is in memory of loved ones who lost their lives to senseless acts of violence. We’ve done an outstanding job here lately, but I want everyone to know this that the city of Warner Robins will never rest until we never have to name anything else after such a tragic event. It may be in long time but we will always fight the fight.”

Councilman Tim Thomas was the coordinator of the project. He said this was something he helped start four and a half years ago.

“This is something that I promised my district (post 4), and I am proud to say that we as a city made this come to fruition,” Thomas said.

Thomas then expressed his appreciation to all who had a hand in the project. He then shared that the boardwalk trail, “Parker’s Trail,” is named after Parker Killian Moore, 23, who was slain Jan. 21, 2018 during an armed robbery at the restaurant he worked at in Warner Robins. Thomas also shared that the overlook on the trail, “Chuckie’s View,” is named after Chuck Mauk, who also was slain on Feb. 17, 1986 at the age of 13, while riding his bicycle.

“I have seen both of these families cry, very difficult and I don’t know what they are going through,” Thomas said. “And even though both incidents were years a part the pain is still the same. We hope this takes a bit of the pain away for both families, and we thank them for letting us honor their memory. We also hope that everyone enjoys this park. If I never get elected again to council, I feel good about what we accomplished here today.”

Cathy Miller, mother of Chuck Mauk, was grateful to Thomas and the city of Warner Robins.

“I want to thank everyone who was involved in this and I want to thank Tim for reaching out to my family,” Miller said. “I know personally I will enjoy this park. My son, Chuckie, was a typical 13 year-old boy who loved to ride his bike, play baseball and video games, and loved to do anything outdoors. He was never still and so adventurous. He was kind and caring. I remember the day the challenger exploded and that night he said to me, “Momma wouldn’t it be wonderful it we woke up tomorrow and this was all a bad dream.” Little did I know that less than a month later that would be my private whisper and my continued prayer. Again I can’t thank you all enough.”

Gail Killian, grandmother of Moore, expressed her appreciation as well to the city.

“I too want to thank everyone who had a part in this,” Killian said. “But I especially want to thank Tim Thomas because without him this would not be possible. Since the groundbreaking we have been keeping up with the progress and we were here last night when they lit the eternal flame. It was such a blessing because we met a special young lady here last night, and I believe Parker had a hand in that. But we walked up and she was sitting at the pavilion and I said oh my goodness Parker would love seeing all of these kids out here playing. The young lady then told us that her little girl was out there and through more conversation she knew Parker.”

“She told us she had thought about leaving earlier but decided to stay because her daughter was having such a good time,” Killian went on to share. “But then this is where it became so surreal. She told us she was there that night in the restaurant when Parker was killed. She said she then heard someone screaming and knew it was his mother. She said she always wanted to hug his mom, and so they did last night. Parker would have absolutely loved this park, and to name the trail after him is just perfect.”

Leah Maas, mother of Moore, said the park means a lot to her.

“Parker didn’t live here long, just 10 months and it’s amazing how many people he impacted,” Maas said. “But he always wish there were parks like this because that was his release, to be in nature outside or in a green space park like this. Where we used to live he would constantly hike the north Georgia mountains. He would love this so much and I thank the city of Warner Robins for bringing this to fruition. It’s a place where I can come now to reflect and remember my boy, who was my best friend. He was larger than life. Thank you all.”

The park is located at 1119 Houston Lake Road next to the Pines at Westdale apartment complex in Warner Robins.