Mathews Park
Mathews Park is located on approximately 28.71 acres and is a little over 1.7 miles northeast of downtown Monroe at 1016 East Marable Street. The park has been completely rehabilitated over multiple years in two separate phases, funded completely by SPLOST 2019 collections. The first phase of rehabilitation began in 2020 and included additional playground equipment, benches around the lake, picnic tables, trash receptacles, grills, swings, painted pavilions, entrance signage, and new restroom facility. The second phase began in late 2021 and included the addition of pavilions, an additional restroom, shade structures, paving, fencing, dam repairs, and restocking of the lake. Both phases of rehabilitation cost approximately $571,484, with a first phase at approximately $165,510 and second phase at approximately $405,974.
As a brief history of the park, Dr. James Mathews, a native of Monroe and local optometrist, served as the mayor from 1968 to 1977. Even before entering politics, Dr. Mathews was very involved in city matters. Including his ten years as mayor, he served in some capacity for three decades in local city government. This included time on the Water, Light, and Gas Commission, part of which he served as chairman. Dr. Mathews' travels had given him an appreciation for parks and their role in a community's life. His vision to transform this piece of property into a beautiful park was realized in 1974. Instead of applying for grants to purchase and improve the property, Dr. Mathews spearheaded a community effort to utilize the local workforce. Dr. Mathews partnered with Walton County soil conservationist, Julian Brown, and contacts at the University of Georgia to source native trees for the park and establish a natural resources outdoor classroom utilized by schools and other groups. A fishing and swimming area was also added. The park has been enjoyed by the citizens of Monroe for decades, and has even hosted summer camps for the city’s youth.
The park is also home to the recently dedicated John Reid Memorial Disc Golf Course at Mathews Park, as read by a renaming resolution on July 6, 2021. John Reid was instrumental in the refurbishment and advancement of the course at Mathews Park and the growth of the Walton County Disc Golf Club which plans to hold PDGA sanctioned events in the future.
