CORNELIA, Ga. — Progress continues on Cornelia’s long-anticipated amphitheater and park project, with significant site work now finished and major infrastructure in place as the community looks ahead to the next phase of construction.
Sidewalks, steps and walkways throughout the site have been completed, giving visitors smooth access around the space. Landscaping is almost all in place, adding greenery and visual appeal to the area, and electrical conduit has been installed in preparation for the future sound booth that will support performances once the stage is built.
While the stage and sound booth have not yet been constructed, city leaders say they are coming soon, and officials are hopeful a ribbon-cutting and formal dedication of the new facility is approaching. City Manager Donald Anderson — for whom the park is named — said there is no exact date set yet for the opening ceremony, but he remains optimistic that it will take place in the near future.
A plaque honoring the park’s namesake is also nearing completion, with stonework finished at the entrance to the amphitheater that will greet visitors who come to enjoy concerts, community events and other gatherings.
One of the more visually striking elements already installed on site consists of four cargo shipping containers from SteelCell, which have been repurposed to house restrooms for amphitheater patrons. These restroom structures are part of the initial phase of the project that is now substantially complete.
Adjacent to the amphitheater are two small park areas that will provide space for picnicking, relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Another area near the venue is being designated for a future parking lot that will serve the amphitheater and nearby downtown businesses. That lot is already drawing community engagement; a meeting titled “Parking Spaces into Community Places” is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Cornelia City Hall, where organizers and residents will explore how a parking lot can benefit the community when not in use for large events.
The amphitheater sits within the newly developed Donald Anderson Park, part of a multiyear vision to expand public space and cultural opportunities in downtown Cornelia. The amphitheater project — which earlier received unanimous approval from the City Commission to proceed with financing and construction — has been in planning for several years. Renderings and design plans were officially approved in late 2025, clearing the way for the next steps in construction work.
City leaders have said the venue — to be known as the Kinetic Amphitheater at Donald Anderson Park following a naming rights partnership — is expected to become a premier gathering space for the community, with lawn seating designed to accommodate large crowds for concerts and other public events.
Construction of the amphitheater itself was originally targeted to begin in 2026, shortly after the annual Cornelia Music Festival in May, with hopes the project could be finished in time for the festival’s 2027 lineup.
As Cornelia continues investing in quality of life amenities and infrastructure, the amphitheater and surrounding park stand out as one of the city’s most ambitious public projects in decades. With site work now largely complete, the community will soon see what comes next as building begins on the heart of the new venue.
Habersham News will continue to follow the development of the Kinetic Amphitheater at Donald Anderson Park and report updates as they become available.
