CITY OF SUWANEE ANNOUNCES NEW COMMUNITY-BUILD PLAYGROUND FOR FALL 2023

OVER A five-day period in 2004, more than 1,000 community members helped build a community playground that came to be known as PlayTown Suwanee. Now, the City of Suwanee says that it’s time to do it again!

Building upon the success of PlayTown Suwanee nearly 20 years ago, the city recently announced plans for a new community-build playground in the fall of 2023. The city has approved Leathers & Associates — the designer and project management team behind the original community build — to return to Suwanee to help modernize PlayTown Suwanee for a new generation.

“After 20 years of fun, PlayTown has reached the end of its planned service life,” said Suwanee City Manager Marty Allen. “We explored rehabbing it, but ultimately it made even more sense to rebuild it with modern, durable materials and incorporate some new features.”

The collective build experience offers a handson opportunity for citizens to give something tangible back to their community, resulting in a beautifully constructed, unique expression of shared pride.

The custom-designed playground will be at the same location, similarly sized, and include elements reminiscent and the character of the original. It will be designed to meet modern standards for inclusivity and constructed from earth-friendly, recycled materials that are long lasting and virtually maintenance-free.

The Suwanee and Leathers & Associates project team will be hosting design brainstorm sessions with the ultimate playground experts: kids! The playground design will be reflective of Suwanee and include special features unique to our area.

“Playground trends have come a long way in 20 years,” said PlayTown project manager Kim Towne. “With the construction of Town Center on Main, this seemed like the perfect time to give our beloved PlayTown a much-needed facelift, while also providing a new generation of parents the opportunity to be involved in a truly impactful project.”

Opportunities for community input on design ideas, volunteer committee roles, and construction workdays will be announced soon.

CREATING CLOSER community is a big part of what we do here at Suwanee Magazine. That’s why we’re proud to bring you The Faces of Suwanee. Suwanee is a great community with great people. We’ll be featuring conversations we have with members of our community as a way of telling the story of Suwanee, one smiling face at a time. The Faces of Suwanee shines a light on the people who live and work here. You can read all of the interviews at TheFacesofSuwanee.com, and even nominate someone you think should be featured on the website. Be sure to follow Suwanee Magazine’s Facebook page where we’ll be sharing new Faces of Suwanee interviews regularly.

KELLY KIM OWNER, KELLY KIM TEAM

Kelly Kim is a warm, kind, helpful and optimistic person who embraces her career and her town of Suwanee as a great place to call home. She works tirelessly with buyers and sellers in a booming real estate market and simply loves what she does!

Interview & Photo by Julie Perdue

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. I am from Korea and met my husband there. My parents came to America in 1977 and live in the same subdivision as my husband and me in Suwanee.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT AND PAST CAREER. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IT? I have done many things! I was an actress and talk show host, a DJ on the radio, I opened the first nail salon in Korea, became a wedding planner, and now own Kelly Kim Team Real Estate in downtown Suwanee. What I love most about what I do is feeling really good about every transaction with my clients.

WHAT ARE A COUPLE OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY? I like Bottles & Bones, Bare Bones Steakhouse, and Cuts in Duluth.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED OR WORKED HERE? Six years.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SUWANEE?

I love how easy it is to work, play and live here. I love all the local businesses, parks and trails.

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?

My favorite is the beach in Singapore where they have delightful shopping and the best chefs in the world.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST MOVIE YOU REMEMBER SEEING IN A THEATER? E.T.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CROWD OF PEOPLE? I would share with them that success requires s acrifice, devotion, and a great work ethic. I work very hard at what I do, and most people, if they are willing to give t heir all, will achieve success, too!

One of the most notable realtors in the community, Kelly Kim has a passion for her work as well as a deep love for her community.

WHAT CURRENT OR FORMER BUSINESS, OR PLACE, MAKES YOU FEEL THE MOST NOSTALGIC?

I would not say any specific business, but rather the character of Suwanee; the railroad and our Town Center Park bring such a nice sense of belonging.

IF YOU COULD TAKE ANYONE TO LUNCH, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THAT BE? My mother. I would like to spend more time with her.

WHO IS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU HAVE EVER MET IN SUWANEE? It would have to be Joy Jones, managing broker with Harry Norman for many years, who mentors me, taught me so much, and is a great friend and confidant to this day.

WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE? I love m odern gospel, hip-hop, and classic rock.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU. I think that people see me as a strong person, but inside, I feel that I’m not!

WOULD YOU RATHER SING TO A CROWD OF 50 PEOPLE OR SPEAK TO A CROWD OF 500?

I would be most comfortable speaking, which I presently do on panels with my job. But I also love to sing!

F For more The Faces Of Suwanee interviews, go to TheFacesOfSuwanee.com