Skip Wells Park
| "Skip" Wells Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | County Park |
| Location | 2334 Bells Ferry Rd NE |
| Coordinates | 34°00′00″N 84°19′22″W / 34.0000°N 84.3229°W |
| Area | 39.6 Acres |
| Operated by | Cobb County PARKS |
| Website | https://www.cobbcounty.gov/parks/find-park/skip-wells-park |
Marine Lance Corporal Squire "Skip" Wells Park, commonly known as Skip Wells Park, is a near 40-acre park located in East Cobb, Georgia.[1][2]
Formerly known as Bells Ferry Park, it was renamed in 2017 in honor of Marine Lance Corporal Squire "Skip" Wells, who was killed in the 2015 Chattanooga shootings. The park is operated by the Cobb County PARKS and includes tennis courts, softball fields, and open green space.
History
Skip Wells Park was established by Cobb County as part of its efforts to expand neighborhood-level recreational access in East Cobb during the area’s period of rapid suburban growth. The park was originally known as Bells Ferry Park, likely named after Bells Ferry Road NE, which runs adjacent to the site. It is also likely that the park was developed during the 1970s, when much of East Cobb was undergoing residential expansion.
On March 12, 2017, the park was officially renamed Marine Lance Corporal Squire "Skip" Wells Park in honor of Squire "Skip" Wells, a United States Marine who was killed in the 2015 Chattanooga shootings on July 16, 2015.[3] The attack targeted two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and resulted in the deaths of five service members.[4][5]The Federal Bureau of Investigation later classified the shooting as an act of terrorism.[6]
Wells was 21 years old at the time of his death. He was a graduate of Lassiter High School and grew up in East Cobb, Georgia. According to his mother, Cathy Wells, he frequently played at Bells Ferry Park when he was younger. The renaming of the park recognized his military service and his personal connection to the local community.[5]
Representative Barry Loudermilk, a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia, supported legislation to rename a Marietta post office in Wells’s honor. The bill was approved by Congress, and the facility was subsequently designated as the Marine Lance Corporal Squire “Skip” Wells Post Office Building.[7]
Facilities
- 1 picnic pavilion
- 2 playgrounds
- 4 tennis courts
- 4 softball fields
- 2 concession buildings
- 2 batting cages
- Walking and running trails[1][8][9]
Management
Skip Wells Park is managed by the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, which is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of public parks and recreational facilities throughout Cobb County. The department oversees park safety, improvements, rentals, athletic programming, and community events across its parks.[1]
Skip Wells Park is situated within a primarily residential area of East Cobb and is surrounded by established neighborhoods. Its location provides convenient access for nearby residents and shows its role as a neighborhood-level recreational facility rather than a regional destination park.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Skip Wells Park | Cobb County Georgia". www.cobbcounty.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "Marine Lance Corporal Squire "Skip" Wells Park in Marietta | Map and Routes". Pacer Walking App. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "Local park renamed for fallen Marine". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ Ellis, Taylor (2016-10-26). "Cobb County, Georgia park named after member of Chattanooga Fallen Five". WTVC. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ a b [email protected], Jack Lindner (2025-07-16). "Marietta Marine Honored on 10th Anniversary of Chattanooga Terror Attack". Marietta Daily Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ Wire, C. N. N. (2015-12-16). "Chattanooga shootings 'inspired' by terrorists, FBI chief says". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ [email protected] (2016-09-22). "Marietta Post Office to be Named in Honor of Marine Corporal Skip Wells". U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Parks & Recreation | EastCobb.com". Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ^ "Skip Wells Park". Cobb Travel & Tourism. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
See also
Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department