Breaking New Ground

Breaking New Ground
A Publication of Piedmont Park Conservancy
Volume 8, Issue 1, Spring 2009
The Past, Present & Future
Before
The Piedmont Park of the late 1980s was not the same place you see today.
Years of overuse and limited funding had taken their toll. The Park didn’t
vibrate with young children laughing and playing, college students studying
on the soft grass of the Meadow, pick up games going on in the Active Oval
and young couples swinging by the pristine water of the Lake. Instead, you
watched your step to keep from sloshing into large muddy areas, avoided
the trash filled gullies and steered clear from the dilapidated buildings and
crumbling sidewalks.
Thankfully that was the past. Today as the Conservancy celebrates 20 years
of being the trusted caretaker of our beloved green
space, and the transformation is evident. This year,
the 53-acre expansion is beginning and will ultimately add 40% of new, open green space to the already vibrant Park. We will rededicate the once decaying Bathhouse into a revitalized multi-use facility
this summer, and open the Family Aquatic Center
this Memorial Day with pools that will be ADA accessible for the first time in the Park’s history.
The future will bring even more exciting things for Park users. Once the
expanded area is open in 2010, the Conservancy will raise the funds needed
to add new amenities such as a community garden, a new visitors center,
Boundless playgrounds, and more. As the Conservancy plans ahead, it
is working to make sure all future improvements are done to the highest
environmentally sustainable standards. The Conservancy’s top priority is to
ensure the Park will be here for generations to come, and is the safe, clean,
lush and green oasis that people expect today.
After
Donate at 404-875-7275 or visit www.piedmontpark.org
Dear Friends,
Yvette Bowden
President & CEO
From the very beginning
in 1989, when we were just
a handful of concerned
citizens starting a nonprofit
organization, the community
has supported our efforts
to make Piedmont Park the
safe, beautiful and vibrant
green oasis it deserves to be.
We’ll celebrate this year not by blowing out
candles on a giant cake, but by making our Park
even more enjoyable for everyone. Join us for:
• Breaking ground on our 53-acre expansion area
to increase park size by 40%.
• Welcoming the return of Atlanta’s favorite festi
vals — YES, the Dogwood Festival, Pride and the
Staff Updates
Welcome aboard
Mary Moerlins,
who has joined
Piedmont
Park Conservancy’s Program
Department
as the Education Program
Manager. Contact Mary at
404.875.7275 ext. 26 or email
[email protected]
Your gift is 100% tax-deductible and you can be
confident that we’ll put it to good use immediately.
Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent
evaluator of charities, recently awarded Piedmont
Park Conservancy its highest possible rating: four
out of four stars. This is yet another accomplish-
There is one more thing I’d like to encourage you
to do: please remember that no matter what shape
the economy is in, Piedmont Park is here for you.
For leisurely walks, picnics, sports, running, playing with your dog, riding your bike, taking some
time to be with the people you love... Piedmont
Park is your green oasis. Come and enjoy it — it’s
free and it’s beautiful. We’ve dedicated the last
20 years to making this possible for you and all
Atlantans, so we look forward to seeing you here
soon!
Thank you so much for caring about Piedmont
Park and being part of our 20th Anniversary
celebration.
I’ll see you in the Park,
Yvette Bowden
Not So Clear –
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Congrats to Kate
Conner, who was
promoted to Director of Development, where
she will oversee
the annual fundraising for the organization.
Contact Kate at 404.875.7275
ext. 235 or email
[email protected]
This is a very exciting time for people who care
about Piedmont Park, and it’s so important to keep
up the momentum even in tough economic times.
City funding for parks is being cut drastically, as
you may know, which is why your support this year
is more important than ever.
ment I am very pleased to report.
E
Say “Hi” to Todd
Williard who
has joined the
staff as our new
Facilities and
Weekend Operations Manager.
He will handle matters related
to programs, the sports fields,
security and weekend events.
Contact Todd at
[email protected]
Peachtree Road Race are back!
• Opening of our new pool on Memorial Day.
• Enjoying another spectacular green concert, like
the Dave Matthews Band in 2007, featuring a
major entertainer that’s soon to be announced —
your membership gets you advance notice.
Clear Creek-- the name conjures up a
mental picture of pristine, sparkling water,
bubbling along its journey--fresh water that
will quench an aching thirst. Sadly, that is
not currently the case for Clear Creek in
Piedmont Park. If you drink this water,
you will most likely have a lot of intestinal
discomfort.
The good news is that the stream that has
been flowing for centuries will be rejuvenated to its namesake. By the time you read
this, the Conservancy will have begun the
$5 million restoration on the waterway,
including the removal of the cement, graffiti and the other gross stuff you find there
today.
The Creek has been through a lot. The
history can be traced back many, many years
to the original inhabitants of Atlanta, the
Creek Indians, who built their communities
along the shore. If you’re lucky, you may
still find original arrowheads or other artifacts that have long been forgotten. This old
waterway also played a historical role during
the Civil War, giving the Union Army an
advantage during the Battle of Peachtree
Creek. The Walker Family Mill, near
Monroe Drive, fell victim to the fires set by
Union forces on their march to Atlanta.
Soon, Clear Creek will be a clean and living
body of water, ebbing slowly on its journey
south ---- and once again families will
gather along the banks, enjoying a shady
afternoon by the stream.
There are no markers indicating the Native
Americans once created a life around the
creek, or that soldiers camped and planned
for future battles on its banks. Instead,
through this urban jungle, you find plastic
bottles, fast food wrappers and illicit paraphernalia lying discarded in the stagnant,
brown water.
Soon, Clear Creek will be a clean, living
body of water, ebbing slowly on its journey
For more information call 404.875.7275 or visit www.piedmontpark.org
People in
Piedmont
Park
Sammy and Jeff play ball in
Piedmont Park’s Meadow
Dean, Demos and Andrew enjoy flying a kite.
Ashley and Gavin
relax on a swing
overlooking the lake.
Cara brings
Charlotte to the
Park to burn off
some energy.
John comes to
Piedmont Park
hoping to catch
the next big one.
1926 Makeover
to the lake, and changing rooms for
men and women on either side.
In 1926, the City of Atlanta published
its annual report. In which a most wonderful accomplishment is recognized
- the building of a stone bath house, in
Piedmont Park.
“ The most important work of the year
in Piedmont Park was the erection of
a new stone bath house. The old bath
house was wrecked by park forces and
the new one built on the same location.”
The original wooden structure was
destroyed by fire and replaced in 1926
by the Edwards and Sayward architects,
which were simultaneously building Park
Tavern. Georgia granite was chiseled on
site and used to create a new facility for
guests swimming in the lake. It consisted
of a center, open-air entrance
In the past few years, the pool and 1926
stone structure were open for less than
four months out of the year due to a
lack of heating and building deterioration. At the end of 2008, a much
needed renovation began. Tom Cole,
the site superintendent for the project,
said this plan is “not covering up the
old features, but instead is blending and
mixing the two to make a better facility.”
Today, after an $8 million restoration,
the facility known as Greystone, will be
a versatile, LEED Certified building,
open to a new generation of Park users.
As you enter the building from the new
granite lined plaza, Greystone’s beauty
is instantly apparent with cementstained floors, French doors, enlarged
terraces overlooking the lake, and a new
Family Aquatic Center.
If you would like to
support our 20th
Anniversary with a
commemorative gift of
a bench, tree or swing,
contact Kate at
404-875-7275 ext. 235
A preview fundraising party will be held
on June 18th from 7pm-10pm to celebrate the grand opening of Greystone.
Sign up for our e-newsletter at
www.piedmontpark.org to receive
regular updates.
Donate at 404-875-7275 or visit www.piedmontpark.org
Piedmont Park
Family Fun
Get Active
Piedmont Park’s Active Oval consists of a
running track, two soccer fields, two softball
fields and two sand volleyball courts. Sign up
for league play, corporate field play, school
outings, tournaments, pick-up games or to
make individual reservations. To reserve a
field call 404.817.8101 or email programs@
piedmontpark.org.
Get Dirty
Piedmont Park is one of the most visited locations in metro Atlanta. The majority of the
daily maintenance is done by Piedmont Park
Conservancy, through our partnership with
the City of Atlanta; however, we need your
help to make this Park even better.
There are four great ways to become a volunteer. (1) Join us for a Clean & Green project.
(2) Become an Environmental Stewardship
Docent. (3) Be a Piedmont Park Ambassadors. (4) Become a Restoration Rangers
(Invasive Plant Posse).
For more information contact Courtney at
404-875-7275 or [email protected]
Get Healthy
Shop Saturdays, May 2 - Dec 12,
9am- 1pm, at Piedmont Park Conservancy’s
6th Annual Green Market! Located at the
12th Street entrance to the Park, the market
features fresh produce, baked goods, sauces,
pasta, cheese, artists and health /wellness
products. You’ll also find chef demonstrations, live entertainment, Tango lessons,
children’s activities and Park tours.
For more information contact Holly at
404-876-4032 or [email protected]
Get Excited
EnviroVentures Summer Day Camp is an
opportunity for kids entering 1st through 6th
grade to experience all the fun and learning
that Piedmont Park has to offer. Camp will
run from May 26th through August 7th. Each
themed session will give campers the mental and physical opportunity to see the Park
from a different vantage point. Campers will
experience Park history, habitats, gardening,
nutrition, fitness, daily swimming, weekly
tennis lessons and structured play.
Best of all, it all happens here at Piedmont
Park.
For more information or to register call
404.876.4024 or email
[email protected]
Natalie & A.J. have a grea
new playground, with the
Get MORE Fun
both girls favorite.
• Bird Walks - All levels of birders are welcome to participate in monthly observation walks that explore the varied habitats
of Piedmont Park.
•
Park Tours - Learn about the history of
Piedmont Park and get a little exercise by
joining us for a guided walking tour of
the Park.
•
Pool - the Family Aquatic Center opens
May 25, 2009 for summer swimming.
Visit www.piedmontpark.org for a listing
of hours and pricing. Also, apply for
your yearly pool pass.
Visit www.piedmontpark.org or call
404.875.7275 for more information.
Have an Event in Piedmont Park at 404-875-7275 or visit www.piedmontpark.org
Exciting! Entertaining! Unforgettable!
Events
in Piedmont Park!
Bird Walks
First Saturday, February - December
8:00am - 9:00am
All levels of birders are welcome to
participate in free monthly observation
walks that explore the varied habitats of
Piedmont Park.
Park Tours
First and Third Saturdays, May - December 11:00am
Learn about the history of Piedmont
Park and get a little exercise by joining us
for a guided walking tour of Piedmont
Park.
Green Market
Saturdays, May 2 - December 12
9:00am - 1:00pm
An open-air farmer’s market featuring
locally grown produce, artisan cheeses,
fresh cut flowers and healthy lifestyle
products.
at timeClean
on the Park’s
& Green
Greg & Norman
e orange
slide Saturday,
being
play in Piedmont
Third
March - October
Park 3 - 4 times a
9:00am - Noon
Come make new friends and get some
exercise in Piedmont Park while assisting
with landscape maintenance projects.
Phoenix Flies
Saturday, March 21
10:00am - Noon
Phoenix Flies guests will have the opportunity for a construction “sneak-peek”
and learn about the history of the structure and plans for the future. Free!
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April 17-19
For three days each spring, the Atlanta
Dogwood Festival fills Midtown Atlanta’s
Piedmont Park with live music, arts and
crafts, food booths and family-friendly
activities. www.dogwood.org
The 13th Annual
Landmark Lunch
Wednesday, May 13
11:30am - 1:00pm
Taking place in Piedmont Park’s 10th
Street Meadow. Invites to follow
Pre-Opening Pool Party
Saturday, May 23rd
11:00am - 3:00pm
An event for Conservancy members and
their families to have the first experience
at the new Aquatic Center.
Aquatic Center Opening Day
Monday, May 25
Greystone and Family Aquatic Center
open to the public after an extensive
renovation.
Travelmart
June 3rd
10:00am, the
Piedmont Park
Travelmart will
be opening
in Hartsfield
Jackson Airport. It
will contain the usual goodies, but with one great perk...
when you purchase a store item, you will
be supporting the Park! So shop, shop,
shop your hearts out! Happy Travels!
Gala at Greystone
Thursday, June 18th
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Join us for the first annual gala at newly
renovated Greystone! The event will
include drinks, food and entertainment
overlooking Lake Clara Meer. More
details to come.
Keep your eyes open... for
another Green Concert in
the future!
Visit
www.piedmontpark.org
for updated information.
Donate at 404-875-7275 or visit www.piedmontpark.org
Chairman’s Circle
Partners
-Conservator-
Chairman’s Circle Partners
In the fall of 2005, the Conservancy
launched a new corporate giving
society, the Chairman’s Circle, to provide companies with public recognition for the generous contributions
they make to sustain and improve
Piedmont Park. Since that time, we
have partnered with more than 25 top
Atlanta organizations that are as committed to the community as we are.
Thanks to leading organizations in
our community, our Chairman’s Circle
donors continue to make the Park
lush, clean, safe and green.
-Guardian-
-Protector-
Halpern
Enterprises, Inc.
-Preserver-
Barry Real Estate
-Restorer-
Jamestown Properties
Piedmont Center
AT&T is committed to building strong
and vibrant communities, improving
quality of life, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. The
organization has been a tremendous
partner and has helped us achieve
our goals.
AT&T is not only a generous donor to
Piedmont Park, but the organization
also gets their hands dirty by volunteering in Piedmont Park. (pictured
below)
So on behalf of the Conservancy and
the more than 3 million people who
will benefit this year, we offer our sincere thanks to this amazing company!
We would like to acknowledge the following members and donors of $250 or more for their support of Piedmont Park Conservancy from
October 12, 2008 - February, 9 2009. With your help, we are transforming Atlanta’s Common Ground.
Francis L. Abreu Charitable Trust
The AEC Trust
Akers Foundation, Inc
Nikki Alexander Copywriting and
Consulting
Mr. John F. Ames
Mr. W. Tinley Anderson III
Anonymous
Ansley Park Garden Club
Aquascape Environmental
Christine and Mark Armour
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Arnold
Mr. Mark Ashcroft
AT&T Mobility
Atlanta Dog Spa
Atlanta Intown Real Estate Services
Balser Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Balser
Bank of America
Ms. Lynn A. Barfield
Mrs. Neale M. Bearden
Kathy and Dennis Berry
Mr. and Mrs. W. Moses Bond
Mr. Robert Bordett
Mr. Darrell Borne
Ms. Yvette Bowden
Dr. Vince Brannon
Mr. Charles Brasch III
Briarcliff Animal Clinic
Bryans Family Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bunnen
Camellia Garden Club
Mr. Michael Carscaddon
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Charlesworth
Rob and Jennifer Cherof
City of Atlanta
Mr. John R. Clifford
Colony Park Citihomes II
Ronald Cook
Comcast
Coxe Curry & Associates
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Cramer
Daniel Corporation
Winifred and Tread Davis
Deceased Pet Care Funeral Home
and Crematory
Michael and Dian Deimler
Charlotte and Jim Dixon
Jim and Jane Donofrio
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Eazzetta
Mr. and Mrs. Charles K.
Edmondson Jr.
Mr. Ralph Edwards
The Elster Foundation
Ms. Gail H. Evans
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Farris
Joe and Christi Feeney
Mr. Carl Fowler
John and Mary Franklin
Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Stephanie Friese Price
Tim and Nancy Gage
Gary Baxter LLC
Donald and Jane Gatley
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
Gellerstedt III
Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.
Georgia Veterinary Specialists
The John N. Goddard Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Grant
Bernard and Anne Gray
Mrs. Louise S. Gunn
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Haggman
Mr. Lewis Hamner
Mr. J. Mac Holladay
Ms. Holly Hollingsworth
Mr. David Olansky and
Ms. Brenda Hott
Mr. and Mrs. J. Gibson Hull
Dr. John Hutcheson and
Dr. Carol Pierannunzi
Intown Animal Hospital, LLC
Mr. Michael Isaacs and
Ms. Ann Hassard
John and Elizabeth Izard
Ms. Chris Lewis and
Mr. John Johnson
Ms. Dorothy Y. Kirkley
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Klenbort
Ms. Jacquelynne P. Lanham
Mr. T. S. Lanier and
Mr. Ken Newberg
Ray M. and Mary Elizabeth Lee
Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Yean Lee
Livingston Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lower
Tim and Jane Lundberg
Mr. Kevin L. Maher
Ms. Lisa Manley and
Ms. Christina Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Maxwell
Ms. Deborah L. McCown and
Mr. Fred Bradley
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Meddin
Mr. Lawrence K. Menter
Midtown Community Bank
Mr. Adrian Mogos
Mr. Tom Moore
James Starr Moore Memorial
Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Nelson
George and Ellen Nemhauser
Ms. Melinda Nord
Dr. and Mrs. Herman Norman
Mr. Vance Overbey
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Palmer
Park Central Condos
Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Parker III
Mr. and Mrs. Solon Patterson
Mr. Noah Peeters and
Ms. Rebecca Wasserman
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy B. Phillips
Piedmont Center
Piedmont Crest Condominium
Association
Planters Garden Club
Mr. James E. Prickett
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Reed Jr.
Barbara and Ronald Reid
Ms. Michelle Reid
Mr. Michael Gallivan and
Mr. Douglas Rice
The Richie Family
Ms. Sally Rich-Kolb
Robert and Carolyn Riordan
John M. Rittelmeyer Jr.
Robin E. Williams Incorporated
Mr. and Mrs. H. English
Robinson Jr.
Ms. Tina Robinson
Rock-Tenn Company
Sartain Lanier Family
Foundation, Inc.
Jan and Chris Schroder
Selig Enterprises, Inc.
Ms. Jane Shivers and
Mr. Bill Sharp
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Shufeldt
Kellie and Steve Simon
Mr. Kirk Simonetti
Mr. Richard Singer
Dr. and Mrs. David Sjoquist
Ms. Candace N. Smith
Mr. Nicholas Smith
Mr. Steve Snow and
Ms. Patricia Bauer
Esther and Jim Stokes
Ms. Jan Suebhongsang
SunTrust Bank Atlanta
Foundation
Surber Barber Choate Hertlein
Architects P.C.
The Scotts Company
Monica and Robert Thornton
The Mark and Evelyn Trammell
Foundation, Inc.
Trust for Public Land
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Uncharted Outposts, Inc.
Mr. Ty Underwood
Wayne and Lee Harper Vason
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wasserman
John and Julie Webster
Mr. Clark E. Weisner
Ms. Lynn A. Wentworth
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Weyandt
Whole Foods
Drs. Mark and Claire Wilkiemeyer
Mr. Richard Williams
Willy’s Mexicana Grill
Elizabeth and Jeremy Wing
Friends and Colleagues of
Keith Yamaguchi
Mrs. Dorothy M. Yates
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yellowlees
Mr. Scott Younker
$20 for the 20th
Donate $20 to celebrate the Conservancy’s 20 years and receive a “Heart & Soil” decal.
When you contribute $50 or more, receive a decal and Piedmont Park ironic t-shirt.
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I/We support Piedmont Park as a:
Special 20th Year Levels:
O Family $80
O Park Patron $250 O Other_____________________
O Decal $20 O Decal & T-Shirt $50
O Dogwood Donor $100 O Meadow Medallion $175
O Hardwood Hero $500 O Olmsted Society $1,000
Name (as it should appear for recognition): ____________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ State: ____________________ Zip: ______________________
Telephone:__________________________Fax: _________________________E-Mail: _______________________________
Please indicate Method of Payment:
O Enclosed is my check (payable to Piedmont Park Conservancy) for: $______________________________
O I would like to pledge $_______________________________ to be paid _____________________________________
Please charge my:
O Visa O Mastercard O American Exp. O Discover Card #: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name as appears on card:______________________________________________ Exp. Date: _____________________
Authorized Sig.___________________________________________________________________________________________
O I prefer no benefits for my donation. Please contribute my entire gift to the Park.
Your contribution is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please return your gift in the envelope provided. Thank you for your generous support!
400 Park Drive
Atlanta, GA 30306
For more information call 404.875.7275
or visit www.piedmontpark.org
Book Your Event at
Piedmont Park
Community Events
Weddings
Corporate Events
Luncheons
Have the time of your life at one of our three
Park facilities, including Magnolia Hall and
Lawn, the newly renovated Greystone and the
very popular Dockside and Lake Pier.
Contact Barbara Roberts at
[email protected]
404-875-7275 ext. 224
or
Contact Rebecca
[email protected]
404-875-7275 ext. 230