Coweta County

is moving forward in preserving some of the county's green space.

During Tuesday

morning's meeting, the Coweta County Commission signed off on a state

grant of $318,489 to purchase green space.

The funds are

part of Gov. Roy Barnes' Georgia Greenspace Act, which helps fast-growing

counties and municipalities set aside land for green space.

The money will

be placed into a green space trust fund. The county must use the funds

by 2003 or apply for an extension.

Once the county

purchases property, it can leave the land untouched or construct small

public facilities for the public to enjoy the property.

The act allows

swing sets, benches, slides and picnic tables to be built on the land.

Passive recreational uses, such as bike and walking paths are also allowed.

Commissioner

Vernon "Mutt" Hunter did not have a problem with accepting the

state money, but said the county might have more of a problem when it

started using local funds to purchase land for the program.

"When

you start limiting property use, you can get in trouble," he said.

County Administrator

Theron Gay said the grant only covered state funds, but the county would

eventually have to decide if local funds would be used in the program.