New Trail Readied South Fork Wins Awards A tangle of kudzu and ivy The South Fork Conservancy’s plan to connect Buck- is yielding its decades-long head to Emory University with a trail along the South domination of the creek Fork of Peachtree Creek won two of the City of Atlan- between Lindbergh and ta’s Urban Design Awards on May 20. The first award Cheshire Bridge, revealing is for the overall trail design plan, created by BeltLine beauty waiting for visitors. visionary Ryan Gravel with Perkins+Will in 2012. The Underneath the invasive Conservancy’s work benefitted from support by the vines, workers are finish- MillionMile Greenway and the Kendeda Fund, which ing a half mile trail with provided critical early funding. a firm stable surface and several drop-dead views of the creek and sandbars. A rust-red foot bridge span- ning the water is already becoming a magnet Security check with Atlanta Po- for photographers. lice and SFC Board Chairman Bob Kerr and SFC’s Sally Sears continue on pg 2

Critical Grant Money Arrives Left to right: Henry Batten, LLCC; Heather Alhadeff, CenterForward; Jane Rawlings, NPUF; David Eldridge, South Fork; Stacey Key, DOT Board; Warner McConaughey, South Fork; Bob Kerr, South Fork Board The South Fork Conservancy’s success at winning Chair; Sally Sears, South Fork Director; Celia Lismore, South Fork Out- support from public and private sources is making a reach; Johnny Edwards, Chair, Atlanta Urban Design Commission difference along the creek. Recent awards making the trail vision more real include a Legacy Grant from continue on pg 2 Park Pride. This $92,500 prize gives South Fork plan- ners the money to design the connection between the Creekside Trail built by Georgia DOT and other trails Growing Up On The built and maintained by Lindridge Martin Manor South Fork In The 60s neighbors. The South Fork of Peachtree Creek flows quietly People’s desire to be closer to the creek is what drove through the east side of Atlanta, unseen by most. How- the DOT to say yes to the trail several years ago. The ever, the creek and its banks lay at the center of Buddy Park Pride grant application reminded donors that Fleming’s universe- a source of endless adventure and the trail “will allow public access on public land along discovery. the stream. First-hand experience with the herons, otters and other wildlife within the trail corridor is “Oh man, we were always exploring,” says Buddy Flem- what neighbors sought when they asked the DOT and ing. “We went all the way from the old DeKalb water the South Fork Conservancy to plan and build the works down to around Sage Hill- that whole corridor Creekside Trail.” around Lullwater.”

continue on pg 6 continue on pg 3 southforkconservancy.org pg 1 New Trail Readied South Fork Wins Awards Growing Up On The South “It just fired my imagination to have a place to ex- (continued) (continued) Fork in the 60s (continued) plore,” says Buddy. “It made me write poetry. It made me write songs, and I think it’s made me much more Georgia DOT has never built a walking trail in any- The second winner is our newest Creekside Trail, un- While other kids stayed inside to watch TV, Buddy interested in history.” one’s memory. Why here and now? The project began derneath the new GA 400 flyover ramps. Working with and his friends spent their time “butt scooting” on a when GDOT asked neighbors what they wanted in the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), pipe across the South Fork to reach adventures be- Standing on the bank of the Confluence Trail, Buddy return for the inconvenience of new flyover ramps Heather Alhadeff steered the trail to design. Built as yond the creek bank. looks around with a smile on his face and notes that linking I-85 and GA 400. The usual mitigation idea, mitigation for neighbors in Lindridge Martin Manor, the restoration of the creek banks is essential and re- sound baffles, would not work with a ramp soaring the trail spans the creek and connects Cheshire Bridge “My little sister Lauren was so proud the day she grad- markable. over 75 feet in the air. Instead, the trail plan linking Road to Lindbergh Drive along a half mile of soft-sur- uated from butt scooting to walking across the pipe,”’ creek banks with walking trails up and down the Con- faced trail. remembers Buddy. “It takes a lot of nerve for a little fluence made sense to DOT and to the people living kid to do that.” near the ramps. Today, we have two other trails currently open to the public along the five mile stretch between the Conflu- After the gang braved the pipe crossing, they set out Heather Alhadeff consulting with the Lindbergh ence of the north and south forks of Peachtree Creek- to find the adventure du jour. They fished, explored LaVista Corridor Coalition (LLCC) brought the the Confluence/Cedar Chase Trail and Zonolite Park. old ruins, and found items dating back to the Civil design to success, with the City of Atlanta partnering More information can be found on our website, south- War and Native American villages- artifacts that have with LLCC and the South Fork Conservancy to main- forkconservancy.org, and addresses for the current long since been donated to museums. tain it. A prize from the Atlanta Urban Design Com- trailhead locations are listed below. mission celebrates the collaboration creating the trail “We loved to explore the old Houston Mill,” remem- project. Confluence/Cedar Chase Trail: The Cul-de-sac at 2100 Armand bers Buddy. A slowly crumbling ruin, the old mill Rd, Atlanta 30324 always offered something new to see. Dave Kaufman’s book, Peachtree Creek: A Natural and Unnatural Ample on street parking is available at Lindridge and Buddy and his son Lewis, standing in the South Fork Armand roads. To stay up to date on the Trail De- Zonolite Park: 1100 Zonolite Place, Atlanta 30306 History of Atlanta’s Watershed taught an adult Bud- velopments, follow the South Fork Conservancy on dy that he’d been exploring the remnants of Atlanta’s “To know that there are people here who want to clean Twitter and Facebook and sign up for their mailing list first Hydroelectric plant. But back in the 60s, his nine it up- that’s absolutely fantastic,” says Buddy excitedly. at www.southforkconservancy.org/contact/ Board Chairman Bob Kerr’s year old eyes only saw a daring adventure waiting to happen. “I’d love to take my son and show him where I used to Summer Gazpacho Recipe play as a kid, but I don’t want to take him if it’s nasty. “You could walk in this tunnel by the mill pond- it Because the creek really is beautiful and the fact that Our Creek Rising fundraiser it’s right in the middle of this big city is amazing. I look saw guests smacking their lips was very scary for a kid,” remembers Buddy. “We used to dare each other to walk all the way through the forward to seeing this work continue and want to do over Bob Kerr’s cold whatever I can to help.” Hi there! My name is Robert Weimar, and I’m gazpacho. The party was a hit dark tunnel from just underneath the generator up to an aspiring Eagle Scout from Troop 18. Pos- that dam. For young boys the whole area was just a thanks to site sponsor Motor Today, Buddy works at the headwaters of the South sibly the most substantial requirement for the really fun place to explore.” Car Studio. Fork in Tucker, where he programs machines to cut Eagle Scout rank is to plan, develop, and give steel for a variety of uses. He’s pondering how he can leadership in a service project that positively Being on the creek was a way of life for Buddy. When We asked Bob for his secret use his skills to help the Conservancy guide others to

Rise affects your community. For my project, I’ll be fall came to an end, freezing winter temperatures recipe. He named the usual know and love the creek the way he did as a boy. helping the Conservancy by first clearing out suspects: tomatoes, garlic, on- turned the South Fork into a winter wonderland. invasive bamboo from the South Fork. Then, ions. But the real kick may lie once the bamboo has been milled, I’ll use it to in the mix! For the full recipe, create benches and informative signage for the see our website. “It just fired my imagination trail. Lastly, I’ll finish by installing the signs and benches at appropriate spots along the ½ to 1 full cup of finely chopped fresh parsley to have a place to explore” trail. All of this work will pool volunteers from ½ cup finely chopped fresh Cilantro hat s our the Conservancy, Troop 18, and the commu- “One of my favorite things was in the winter when it W ’ Y 2 tbls. wine vinegar got really cold,” says Buddy, smiling. “There was this nity. I’m hoping to have the project done in 2 tbls. olive oil the next 6-8 months; this may be optimistic spring that came down the hill behind Clifton road. tory 1 teaspoon basil You would find icicles that were four or five feet long. S ? based on permits, funding, etc. Keep looking 1 teaspoon tarragon for updates, as I’d love to have your help for The whole hill would be covered in ice. We loved 2 teaspoons cumin t h at .” We hope you’re enjoying our newsletter. Do you this project. Overall, I’m excited to work with 2 tbls. Worcestershire sauce Eagle On The On The Eagle the Conservancy and look forward to helping have your own South Fork trail tale? We want to Buddy says his days on the creek gave him an active improve our scenic landscape! Bob’s Request: Most of all, develop with generosity and hear it. Email [email protected] mind. enjoy. with a story summary. southforkconservancy.org pg 2 southforkconservancy.org pg 3 Cheshire Farm Trail opens this summer

Before After at at Cheshire Farm Trail Cheshire Farm Trail

Quiet creekside stroll See growth of on the confluence restored brownfield Before trail After at at Zonolite Zonolite

southforkconservancy.org pg 4 southforkconservancy.org pg 5 Chestnuts: Food For Thought Critical Grant Money Bob The Beaver and Pals Bring Life Back To The Creek Arrives (continued) Have you been keeping up with Tales of Bob the In early March, we planted seven dozen experimen- Beaver on our Facebook page? Well if you have, then tal hybrid chestnut seeds with high hopes for green Two critical connections are the trail crossing Lind- you already know that wildlife has moved back to the bergh Drive underneath the bridge, and underneath sprouts, joining an effort to reintroduce the American South Fork! Neighbor and volunteer Bob Scott, who Chestnut Tree after a century of extinction caused by the long stretch of interstate where Ga 400 meets I-85. Dollars for surveying, engineering and improving the walks the trail at least once a day, initially provided us the Asian Chestnut Blight. Unfortunately, aside from with troublesome reports on the beaver’s activities. a few hopeful saplings, most of the seeds remained entrance at Lindbergh are already being used. Im- firmly in their shells. portant matching money from immediate neighbors include a party given by neighbors Rich and Dorothy “The Beaver was busy last night……unfortunately, he took down one of the new saplings planted last fall. However, seeds Sussman, and the Lindbergh LaVista Corridor Coali- tion. This year the Taste and Tour of Cheshire Bridge On the bank, just west of the... one of the two new trees Beavers are primarily nocturnal rodents. They are planted and tend- is gone.” (location omitted to protect the wildlife) known for building dams, canals, and lodges (homes) ed by students at will raise money for the South Fork Conservancy. and are the second largest rodent in the world (after the Capybara. the Garden Hills After this report we had to take action- and quickly! and Morningside Another award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation gave South Fork more than money. Five Bob and two more volunteers helped us construct and Since this fence installation, new trees are resting safe elementary schools install chicken wire fences around most of our sap- and sound. Now, we enjoy reports from neighbors offer a shining silver Star Grants require healthy partnerships and putting the money plan together brought South Fork to work lings. about more beavers moving into the area along with lining. This year, the 5th grade Students with their saplings at muskrats, turtles, and otters. The Atlanta Audubon So- American Chestnut Morningside Elementary with Jenny Cruse-Sanders at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Chris Nelson at the Piedmont Park Con- ciety President Joy Carter also recently spotted almost Foundation in- two dozen kinds of birds on the trail. creased the scale of our classroom project based on a servancy. Together their work restoring critical habitat successful seedling yield from 2012 and donated over led to a successful application for more than $20,000 dollars. That allowed fencing the confluence site from We’re thrilled with this ever increasing presence of bio- 100 seeds, enabling each student in the three partici- diversity and ask that if you venture out on to the trail pating classes to plant their very own Chestnut at the highway traffic and litter, plus hiring Terry Sutton with (and we most sincerely hope you do) please tread care- beginning of the school year. Cascade Forestry to manage kudzu, privet and honey- James Lismore, Chris Scott, and Bob Scott help fully on the creek banks so as not to disturb the delicate suckle. Neighbor Bob Scott and Cedar Chase Home- construct wire fencing to protect $10,000 worth of homes these gorgeous creatures have established there. Throughout the year, second and fifth graders were owners Association President Donna Davis helped saplings from Bob the Beaver. engaged by the South Fork and the Chestnut Founda- meet the grant requirements for matching effort by all tion, covering a range the volunteer hours they give to the trail. Celia Lismore of The South Fork Parkwood’s Potential Blooms of topics: from the life Conservancy: An Introduction cycle of a plant, to how A third pot of money, $100,000 for recreational trails is At Decatur’s doorstep on Ponce de Leon, a tributary plants get their food, to coming to DeKalb County from South Fork grant writ- Allow me to introduce myself- to Peavine Creek invites discovery. Sheri Kennedy in what makes a Chestnut ing from the Federal Highway Administration, passed the new Community Outreach Parkwood treasures what she found after years of hard Tree a vascular plant. along by the Georgia Department of Natural Resourc- and Volunteer Coordinator work with her neighbors removing ivy and privet. At the end of May, 90 es. This will build the trail and trailhead at Zonolite. for the Conservancy. I grew thriving seedlings were Again, important matching dollars here include Trees up playing in Decatur’s Glen “I found our first trillium this spring. It must be sev- picked up by dedicated Atlanta’s partnerships and neighbors Tucker Mott and Creek, a tributary of the South eral years old as it was blooming but what a joy and a South Fork Volunteer landowners along Zonolite Road. Fork (though I didn’t know promise of things to come. And the park is rich with Martha Porter Hall and that until a year ago). I’m one Jack-in-the-pulpits! We have Big Jack that is easily 3’ were taken to “summer Raising money to realize a vision is hard work. Grant of many native Atlantans who tall and a large family of 8-10 in an area we are just camp” at Ace Hardware writing is a special language. Deadlines are brutal, the didn’t know there was a rich clearing of ivy. Lots of others in random nooks and in Decatur, where South competition keen. Still, the partnerships and people network of creeks in her own crannies. We are still working on our invasive plants Volunteer Martha Porter Hall with Fork Board Mem- that bring money to life are a healthy way to measure backyard. Upon discovering in the park. The ivy is slowly disappearing but making Chestnut saplings at Intown ACE ber Tony Powers is a an organization’s integrity. The South Fork is grateful Hardware the Conservancy a year ago, I way for honeysuckle, potato vine, ragweed and poison co-owner. for the success we’re having. You and other donors will quickly learned that our waterways connect our com- ivy. I am determined they will not win this year.” keep hearing from us. munities in a way our roads never will. I was instantly Our 90 hopeful trees will camp out at Ace until plant- a South Fork supporter and am thrilled to now be a ur trail tours are filling up fast ing season begins in late October/ early November, staff member. I’ve met a dedicated cast of characters in O ! when they will transferred to South Fork Trails and the past four months whose commitment and passion planted by volunteers. As for our orchard experiment- Let a South Fork know-it-all share our progress with remind me of our vision on a daily basis. It’s a won- you. Visit our website to sign up for one of the do we give up? Of course not! The ecological process is derful feeling, to sit down at your desk in the morning a fragile one that requires much patience, and next sea- and realize there’s nothing you would rather be doing. following dates: son we will pick up where we left off and try again with Thanks you for supporting the South Fork Conservan- July 5 at 9:00AM a new batch of hopeful seeds in addition to continuing cy and making all of this possible. August 2 at 9:00AM our work in elementary schools. September 6 at 9:00AM southforkconservancy.org pg 6 southforkconservancy.org pg 7 NONPROFIT ORG U.S POSTAGE PAID South Fork Conservancy ATLANTA, GA Post Office Box 5433 PERMIT NO. 3151 Atlanta, GA 31107

Thanks to our newest members! Help Us Restore the South Fork of Peachtree Creek Confluence Club Mike Morton Jess & Debbie Austin Sheryl Myers & John Davis Joni Winston Want to share in the South Fork Conservancy’s vision? Richard Taylor Here are some ways you can blaze the trail with us. Billy Hall & Newfields Lee Davidson Wilder Bob Kerr & Linda DiSantis Wayne & Jane Thorpe Individual Membership Our members’ support is vital to our success and we Richard & Sally Sears Belcher Susan Davis would love for you to join our growing base. Martha & Toby Brooks Steve Dickerson Debra Edelson Ben & Sharon Hill By the same token, our enthusiastic volunteers make our Kirk Elifson & Claire Sterk Jonathan Price world go round. You can sign up for volunteer events David and Becky Evans Jeannine Addams through our website or by responding to email blasts. Christian & Cloe Larsen Julie Arnold Allison and Warner McCo- Margaret Breen In-kind donations are another great way for you to share naughey Krista Brewer David Hopkins Cameron your skills and talents with us. Catherine and Ethan Tolbert Jeff & Amy Cromwell Creek Ranger Frank Depeterse Membership Options AGL Resources William Evans David Goldin Tamara Gerke Individual Membership: $35-99 Dave Kaufman Beth Grashof David Eldridge John & Teresa Mayes Family Membership: $100-499 Family Membership Frank Muckler Bill La Duca Holly Porter Creek Ranger: $500-999 Lucy & Bill Vance Dan Price Sam & Angie Allen Shelley Rose Confluence Club: $1000 Linda Austin Cynthia & Robert Scott Barry Berlin Gigi Schwartz Donald Kenagy Cynthia Wetmore To Join, visit our website or use Ken and Deborah Willis Melinda Wharton Alex McCray & Patsy McGirl Bill Christian the attached envelope southforkconservancy.org pg 8