The Blueway Trail Connecting Atlanta through Nature

Blue Heron Nature Preserve began as a seven-acre floodplain, protected from development in 2000. Over 17 years, it expanded into what it is today: a flourishing 30-acre City of Atlanta Park and urban wildlife sanctuary, known for rich educational programming and strong community partnerships.

Blue Heron Nature Preserve is ready to expand again, this time in service to our broader community’s goal of connectivity. Guided by our 2016 Strategic Plan, our 2015 Master Plan, and our mission “to create a personal experience with nature,” we are executing a capital campaign ​ ​ that will make Blue Heron Nature Preserve the link between two major trails in North Atlanta.

We propose to expand and improve Blue Heron Nature Preserve’s internal trail system and connect it with the Chastain Park PATH to the west and the PATH400 Greenway Trail to the east. Once linked, this combination of soft and hard trails will offer a seamless pedestrian connection between Chastain Park and the Atlanta BeltLine, and will open up the Blue Heron Nature Preserve’s ecological wonders to the greater Atlanta community.

We call this project the Blueway Trail.

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Our Headwaters A Nature Preserve Built by Neighbors

Blue Heron Nature Preserve, Inc. (“the Preserve”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages 30 acres of wetlands and park space in North Atlanta, along Nancy and Mill Creeks. Our goals and actions are guided by our mission statement:

To create a personal experience with nature, we: ● engage and motivate people to experience native habitats in an urban environment ● protect and preserve native habitats and their associated heritage ● provide a living nature lab for education and research, and ● advocate for the preservation and conservation of nature in urban communities.

From a Seven-Acre Floodplain … In 2000, local school teacher Nancy Jones grew concerned about a new residential development near the banks of Nancy Creek. She worried that the construction would damage Nancy Creek’s sensitive waters and wetlands, and block access to the creek for neighbors like her that had enjoyed the creek’s natural beauty for decades.

Jones reached out to the North Buckhead Civic Association, and in partnership with them, secured a donation of seven acres of floodplain bordering the creek, saving that land from development. Jones then sought grant funding and volunteer support to rehabilitate the property. With the help of hundreds of community volunteers, she and the Preserve’s early leadership restored the site, by removing invasive plants, installing native trees, and stabilizing the creek’s banks. Blue Heron Nature Preserve was born. to a City of Atlanta Park … Over the next five years, the Preserve (working creatively with the community, developers, and the City of Atlanta) added three large pieces of land to its holdings: a nine-acre wetland at the end of Emma Lane, and two five-acre parcels adjoining the original seven-acre floodplain. One of the five-acre parcels contained a 10,000 square-foot building, the Beech Building, which today houses the Preserve’s offices and three nonprofit tenants, the Da Vinci International School, the Atlanta Audubon Society, and the Amphibian Foundation. In 2014, the City of Atlanta purchased another four-acre parcel adjoining the Emma Lane wetlands, bringing the Preserve’s total acreage to 30 acres (see Exhibit B, p. 18 for a map of the Preserve). ​ ​ ​ ​ The Preserve’s land was deeded to the City of Atlanta in 2007. Today, the Preserve operates as a City of Atlanta park, managed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under a Memorandum of Understanding with the City. The Preserve receives no direct funding from the City of Atlanta.

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Many improvements have been made to the acquired land, and Preserve visitors today are able to enjoy a network of soft trails, bird and wildlife overlooks, interpretative signage, and an organic community garden, among other amenities. Educational programming has emerged as a highlight at the Preserve, with year-round learning opportunities for all ages. The Preserve has also built beneficial partnerships with civic organizations, conservation nonprofits, and local schools.

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Our Streams of Impact Conservation, Education, & Recreation

The Preserve’s building, grounds, and trails receive visitors from the adjoining community of North Atlanta (approximately 9,000 residents) and beyond. In 2016, an estimated 10,000 individuals came to participate in the Preserve's array of conservation, education, research, and recreation activities.

Conservation of Urban Biodiversity Preserve visitors are often rewarded with views of herons, wood ducks, and turtles. Garter snakes, green anoles, bullfrogs, and yellow-bellied pond sliders frequent our waters and banks, as do red foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, white-tailed deer, river otters, beavers, and muskrats. The Preserve’s forests are full of plant species native to the Georgia Piedmont, including Hickory, Sycamore, and Musclewood trees, and our meadows are graced by song sparrows, redheaded woodpeckers, goldfinches, and 120 more avian species.

This biodiversity is supported by the Preserve’s ongoing conservation efforts. We work hard to restore and maintain the Preserve’s four distinct habitats (riparian, forest, wetlands, and meadow), by removing invasive plants and pollutants, stabilizing our stream banks, and monitoring and enhancing the Preserve’s water quality. We study local wildlife populations in partnership with organizations like Atlanta Audubon and the Amphibian Foundation, to keep track of population fluctuations and anticipate threats. We also advocate for local wildlife to the broader community, encouraging our neighbors to transform their own private green spaces with wildlife-friendly food, water, shelters, and nesting sites. Education for All Ages Education remains one of the cornerstones of our mission. In 2014, we hired our first Education ​ ​ Director, allowing us to expand our existing slate of classes, school partnerships, after school programs, self-directed learning kiosks and signage, and summer and day camps (800 campers in 2016).

Most of our indoor classes and programs take place in “The Burrow” educational lab, funded by a grant from Nickelodeon. The Burrow features space to explore natural objects through each of the five senses. Class topics include seed discovery, wildlife walks, nature drawing, honeybees, fort building, hiking and local history, and owl pellet dissection. Other learning opportunities include natural science illustration workshops, and the Second Saturday Safari Series, a monthly outdoor class for all ages on topics like “Backyard Bird Count,” “Terrific Turtles,” and “Beaver Fever.”

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Some educational programs extend beyond the Preserve’s boundaries. Our “Meadows for Monarchs” program, supported by Georgia Power, teaches K-12 students about the importance of monarch butterflies and other pollinators. It has led to thriving pollinator gardens at Galloway School, Canterbury School, St. Anne’s Day School, and Sarah Smith Elementary. ​ Recreation for Body and Soul The Preserve offers opportunities for fitness (walking, running, hiking, free play), quiet contemplation, and wildlife observation and research. The popular organic Blue Heron Community Garden has 32 plots and a passionate group of volunteer gardeners. Our Art Gallery showcases talented local artists who work with and are inspired by nature. We also offer Outdoor Nature Theatre events, informational moonlit walks, and spaces for boulder hopping, bird-watching, and other self-directed past-times.

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Our Stable Banks Leadership, Financials, and Community Relationships

Over the past 17 years, the Preserve has stabilized its strong early growth with dedicated leadership, multiple income streams, and community partnerships.

Committed, Experienced Leadership The Preserve’s all-volunteer Board of Directors (Exhibit A, p. 17) is comprised of 12 local ​ ​ professionals, educators, and community leaders, each of whom contribute financially and donate significant volunteer hours to the Preserve. Half of our Board members have worked with the Preserve for five or more years.

The Preserve also has a staff of three (two full-time employees, and one part-time). Founding Executive Director Nancy Jones retired in 2016, and was succeeded by current full-time Executive Director Kevin McCauley, a long-time North Atlanta resident. Kevin has been involved with the Preserve since 2004, established the Blue Heron Community Garden in 2006, and served as the Board President before joining the Preserve’s staff in 2012 as Project & Operations Director.

Strong Financial Base As the Preserve has expanded, we have grown our revenue base to include a healthy mix of rental income, educational programming fees, grants, and charitable gifts from individuals and businesses. As noted in our 2017 Operating Budget (Exhibit C, p. 19), rental revenue from three ​ ​ tenants represents $100,000 (or approximately 30%) of our operating revenues for 2017. Educational programming fees supply another 20% ($60,000) of our annual revenue budget. In addition to our robust annual campaign and included in our anticipated $100,000 in individual donations for 2017, is an annual $50,000 of a three-year $50,000 per year unrestricted pledge received from a friend of the Preserve in 2016. To date, $100,000 of this generous gift has been received and $50,000 is projected to be received in 2018. Our current balance sheet also shows a cash balance/reserve of $180,000 and we carry no long-term liabilities. Our financial statements are independently audited each year.

Vibrant Ecosystem of Community Relationships The Preserve began as a partnership with the North Buckhead Civic Association, and we maintain a strong relationship with them today. As a City of Atlanta Park, we have a good relationship with the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, as well local civic groups including NPU-A and NPU-B, the Buckhead Heritage Society, and Livable Buckhead.

The Preserve’s conservation and educational services are delivered in collaboration with many

Page 7 of 34 ​ organizations. Environmental partners like the Georgia Native Plant Society, the Amphibian Foundation, and the Atlanta Audubon Society support our conservation work, helping us track wildlife, remove invasive plants, and deliver programming. Educational partners, including Sarah Smith Elementary, E. Rivers Elementary, the Galloway School, local Scout Troops and Garden Clubs, La Amistad, Sandy Springs Mission, and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, have participated in Preserve field trips, workshops, off-site outreach, and teacher training.

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The Blueway Trail Connecting Preserve, Park and PATH400

The Preserve has grown quickly from a small neighborhood initiative into a nature preserve that thousands visit each year. People come here to experience the Preserve’s extensive biodiversity and native plants; to partake in educational opportunities including field trips, workshops, teacher training, after school programs, and summer camps; and for recreational pursuits including fitness, art, and community gardening.

Year after year, we have added land, programs, and partnerships, and each new bit of growth has helped us better fulfill our mission to create personal experiences with nature. We now have an opportunity to grow again, in a way that will open up the neighborhood asset we have built to the broader Atlanta community. A Unique Opportunity to Connect a Park and a PATH The Preserve is centrally located between the Chastain Park PATH and the PATH400 Greenway Trail (PATH400), and within a half-mile walk of both trails. Our ideal location and our existing 2-mile internal trail system give us a unique opportunity to connect these two major pedestrian thoroughfares.

At 268 acres, Chastain Park is the City of Atlanta’s largest public park, and attracts over 1 million users per year. It contains a swimming pool, a horse park, playgrounds, tennis courts, sport fields, indoor sports complex, and an amphitheater. The 3.2-mile, paved Chastain Park PATH encircles the Park, North Fulton Golf Course, and the Galloway School.

The 5.2 mile PATH400 is a paved, multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians under construction along the GA400 corridor. Spearheaded by Livable Buckhead and produced in partnership with organizations including the PATH Foundation and the Buckhead CID, PATH400 is envisioned as the “spine” of the Buckhead Collection’s future system of trails, parks, and greenways. A Confluence of Community and Stakeholder Goals The opportunity to connect these two major trails aligns with the priorities of the Preserve’s stakeholders. In 2015, the Preserve engaged consultants Tunnell, Spangler, Walsh & Associates (TSW) to update our 2008 Master Plan. During the master planning process, our stakeholders (neighbors, volunteers, donors, and community leaders) indicated that their top priorities for the Preserve centered on better internal and external trail connectivity, specifically:

● Better trails and boardwalks within the Preserve (20%); ● A trail connection to Chastain Park (20%); and

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● A trail connection to PATH400 and the Atlanta BeltLine (17%)

See Exhibit E, p. 21 for the full graph of stakeholder priorities. ​ ​ We have combined these top three priorities into a series of capital improvements that we call “the Blueway Trail.” ​ ​ From Design to Built We propose to complete the Blueway Trail in three phases. First, we plan to enhance the ​ ​ Preserve’s internal trail system, to ensure unbroken trail connectivity within the Preserve (Phase I). Then we will build connections from our improved internal trail system to the ​ ​ Chastain Park PATH to the west (Phase II) and PATH400 to the east (Phase III). ​ ​ ​ ​ The completed Blueway Trail will invite more visitors into the Preserve, opening up our amenities to a broader audience. Once inside the Preserve, pedestrians will be able to walk along the corridors of two Atlanta urban streams, with interpretative signage and overlooks that show how the Preserve’s green infrastructure supports urban wildlife and mitigates flooding and pollution. The Blueway Trail will also provide pedestrians with an unbroken connection through nature from Chastain Park to PATH400, and (once PATH400 is complete) to the Atlanta BeltLine.

Phase I: Expand and Enhance the Preserve’s Internal Trail System The Preserve’s current trail system contains approximately two miles of trails. The trails are noncontiguous, being divided by water and roads, and some sections are flood-prone. The Preserve’s existing trails are also inconsistent in style and condition, with incomplete wayfaring signage, and many stretches that are not ADA accessible.

To solve these problems, and to prepare the Preserve for increased traffic from the Chastain Park PATH and PATH400, we engaged soft-trails design/build company Switchbacks Trail Design and Construction. Switchbacks works primarily in the Southeast and their previous work includes nationally recognized trails such as the Appalachian Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail and the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail.

In 2016, Switchbacks walked the Preserve to determine the best-lay, materials, and methods to improve the Preserve’s internal trail system. The resulting Blueway Internal Trail Design ​ (Exhibit F, p. 22) and summarized list of improvements (Exhibit G, pp. 23-24) are the product ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ of Switchbacks’ extensive background in laying natural-surface trails while respecting the natural ecology of a place.

Specific Phase I Improvements Phase I of the Blueway Trail will add approximately 3,000 linear feet of accessible trails to the

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Preserve, and improve another 12,000 linear feet of existing trails. This work will ensure unbroken connectivity within the Preserve, without excessive disturbance to local flora and fauna. It will also create a richer experience for Preserve visitors, allowing pedestrians safe and easy access to all of the Preserve’s amenities.

Phase I will: ● Add bridges, boardwalks, trail sections, and crosswalks where needed, to improve connectivity and safety ● Add an ADA compliant boardwalk from the Preserve’s main entrance to the Woodland Loop Trailhead ● Add ADA compliant parking, path, and boardwalk from Rickenbacker Drive to the Preserve’s office building at 4055 Roswell Road ● Widen existing trails, and add better trail marking throughout and seating at overlooks ● Install better signage (both interpretative and wayfaring) throughout the Preserve ● Create a 5-year trail maintenance plan for the Preserve

See Exhibit G, pp. 23-24 for a more detailed list of improvements. ​ ​ ​ Since the Preserve is a park within a floodplain and is bound by waterways and riparian ecology, all of the Preserve’s internal trail surfaces will be permeable, to ensure minimal impact to the land and waterways.

Budget for Blueway Trail Phase I The budget for Phase I is $620,000.

ITEM AMOUNT

Construction costs for Blueway Trail Phase I $368,800

Design, engineering, and permitting $36,000

Construction management $60,000

Contingency (~18% of total construction costs) $75,200

Marketing, fundraising, and administrative support $50,000

Initial 5-year maintenance plan costs $30,000

TOTAL $620,000

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Phase I Project Team Our primary trail design and construction firm for Phase I will be Switchbacks Trail Design and Construction, led by Charles Warlick. Landscape architect Andrea Greco of Pond & Company will also facilitate and manage Phase I construction in collaboration with Preserve Board members who have expertise in construction and environmental engineering. Greco brings 15 years of relevant experience to the project, with a portfolio that includes master planning of parks and trails along the Chattahoochee River, overseeing the design and construction of a multi-million-dollar campground renovation project at Hard Labor Creek State Park, and the management of multi-use trail projects in Atlanta, Athens, and Morrow, Georgia.

Phases II & III: Connecting the Preserve’s Internal Trail System to Chastain Park’s PATH and PATH400 Once the Preserve’s internal trail system is complete, we plan to join our trail system to Chastain Park’s PATH to the west (Phase II) and PATH400 to the east (Phase III).

We are still in the preliminary design and discovery process for Phases II and III, and know that any construction plans must be developed in conjunction with partner organizations. To that end, we are in the process of determining who our project partners will be, and what role each partner will play in construction. Potential Blueway Trail partners include Chastain Park Conservancy, PATH Foundation, Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc. (formerly Post Properties), Livable Buckhead, Atlanta Public Schools, the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation, City Council District 7 and 8 Representatives, NPU-A and NPU-B, and the North Buckhead Civic Association.

Specific Phase II Improvements In 2016, we hired TSW to perform a feasibility study for Phase II, the connection to Chastain Park, which examined possible trail alignments and associated costs. The resulting cost comparison (Exhibit H, p. 25) and map of potential connections (Exhibit I, p. 26) suggest a ​ ​ ​ ​ Phase II budget of $2.5 to $3 million dollars, depending on the determined best route of ​ ​ construction and the opportunities for easements.

Specific Phase III Improvements Phase III is in the most preliminary stage of development, and we are still clarifying many details. Our plan, however, is to link the Preserve to PATH400 via a multi-use trail. The multi-use trail will connect to key components of the Preserve including our headquarters building and major trailheads of the Preserve’s soft trail network.

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A Clear Path Forward Fundraising, Volunteers, and Construction

Fundraising Plan Current Campaign Fundraising At-A-Glance

PHASE COST RAISED REMAINING

Phase I: Internal Trail $620,000 $170,000 $450,000 Improvements

Phase II: Chastain Park PATH $3,000,000 $1,100,000 $1,900,000 Connection

Phase III: PATH400 Connection TBD TBD TBD

TOTAL $3,620,000 $1,270,000 $2,350,000

Fundraising for Phase I Fundraising for Phase I has begun. In December 2016, we received a $150,000 matching legacy grant from Park Pride. We have raised another $20,000 from individuals, bringing total funds raised to $170,000. With sponsorship from the City of Atlanta, we also have applied for a $100,000 Georgia Recreational Trails Program grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Beyond these initial successes, we have started outreach to a combination of individuals, local businesses, and foundations in search of additional lead gifts. Once we have secured substantial funding from these sources, we will conduct a public campaign with a major, well-publicized kickoff event, regular electronic blasts, campaign mailings, and presentations to local civic groups (such as the North Buckhead Civic Association, Buckhead Business Association, NPU-A and NPU-B, Livable Buckhead, and Rotary Club of Buckhead). We expect the capital campaign silent phase to continue through the first half of 2017, with the goal of securing all Phase I funding by December 31, 2017.

Fundraising for Phases II and III November 2016’s successful TSPLOST referendum allowed the City of Atlanta to allocate $1.1 million dollars to Phase II of Blueway Trail construction. As we move forward with Phase II and III planning, we will continue to look for ways to keep costs down and to combine our resources responsibly with partners, including the PATH Foundation, Chastain Park Conservancy, and Page 13 of 34 ​

Livable Buckhead. Volunteer Network The Preserve has a robust volunteer network which includes volunteers from Hands On Atlanta and Park Pride, and numerous corporations, civic groups, and local scout troops. During 2015, we benefited from over 2,500 volunteered hours, worth an estimated $50,000 of in-kind support, as well as over $115,000 in donated legal and architectural services. In the past three years, we have received an estimated $750,000 of in-kind services. We will draw on these volunteer resources throughout the Blueway Trail capital campaign. Construction Timeline Preliminary work for Phase I, including flagging, surveying, permitting, final design, easements, and engineering designs, has begun and is expected to continue until June 2017. Construction will commence in late May 2017, starting with the construction of boardwalks, trails, and bridges. Installation of parking lot crossings will follow, then road markings on Roswell Road, Rickenbacker Drive, and Lakemoore Drive. The last steps will be site-preparation for the connections to the Chastain Park PATH and PATH400, as well as the installation of trail and other directional signage. These final steps will be completed in May 2018, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Phase I of the Blueway Trail scheduled for June 2018.

Major fundraising for Phase II of the Blueway Trail will run concurrent with the construction of Phase I. Our goal is for final planning, evaluation, and construction of Phase II to commence as soon as possible and to overlap with Phase I construction. However, progress for both Phase II and III of the Blueway Trail will depend on the results of the capital campaign feasibility study, available funding, and feedback from partner organizations.

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Help Us Build the Blueway

In 17 years, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve has emerged as a vibrant City of Atlanta asset that enriches the lives of thousands of visitors each year. We have grown from a seven-acre greenspace to 30 acres of thriving wetlands and trails, woven together by our community’s efforts and support.

Like the creeks that are the center of the Preserve, our story is one of connection: connection of waterways and land, connection of community groups toward a common good, and connection of local residents to the natural beauty and wonder of our urban ecology.

We have an unprecedented opportunity to be the connecting link between two major trails, PATH400 and the Chastain Park PATH, leveraging community investments in those amenities for greater overall returns. In addition, the Blueway Trail will unite the Preserve and neighboring Buckhead, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs, open the Preserve to new audiences through new pedestrian connections, and, by connecting PATH400 and Chastain Park’s PATH, serve as the keystone that connects the City together along a ribbon of blue and green.

We invite you to join us in making this valuable neighborhood connection a reality.

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Exhibits

a) 2017 Board of Directors b) Blue Heron Nature Preserve Master Plan Park Map c) 2017 Operating Budget d) The Blueway Trail e) Blue Heron Nature Preserve Master Plan Graph of Stakeholder Priorities f) Switchbacks Trails Blueway Internal Trail Design g) Blueway Trail Phase I List of Improvements h) Blueway Trail Phase II Feasibility Study - Construction and Land Cost Comparison of Potential Connections to Chastain Park i) Blueway Trail Phase II Feasibility Study – Map of Potential Connections from the Preserve to Chastain Park j) Feasibility Study Committee

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Exhibit A: 2017 Board of Directors

BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE, INC. 2017 Board of Directors - March 1, 2017

Connie York, Chair Robert Cook Harry Norman Realty Cox Enterprises Home: (404) 266-9922 Cell: (404) 822-7978 Cell: (678) 642-0059 [email protected] [email protected] Jay Levin Kitsie Riggall, Vice Chair Bryan Cave LLP Corporate Reports, Inc Office: (404) 572-6877 Cell 404-290-1331 Cell: (404) 274-1192 [email protected] [email protected]

Christine Williams, Treasurer Chip Pottinger Keller Williams Realty The Loudermilk Companies Cell: (404) 245-1520 [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (404) 964-2130

Betsy Lane, Secretary Bob Threlkeld Zeist Company Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP Cell: (404) 368-2155 [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (404) 504-7757

Kim Blythe Chad Wright Federal Reserve Board Georgia Development Partners Cell: (404) 272-9666 Cell: (404) 664-8262 [email protected] [email protected]

Norris Broyles Norris Broyles Architects Office: (404) 257-1430 Cell: (404) 272-6355 [email protected]

Reggie Colbert Drew Charter School Cell: (404) 314-3364 [email protected]

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Exhibit B: Blue Heron Nature Preserve Master Plan Park Map

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Exhibit C: 2017 Operating Budget

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Exhibit D: The Blueway Trail

A south-facing view of the proposed Blueway Trail, which will connect an improved version of the Blue Heron Nature Preserve’s internal trail system to Chastain Park and PATH400 and the Atlanta BeltLine.

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Exhibit E: Blue Heron Nature Preserve Master Plan Graph of Stakeholder Priorities

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Exhibit F: Switchbacks Trails Blueway Internal Trail Design

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Exhibit G: Blueway Trail Phase I List of Improvements

Summarized Improvements for Phase I

1) Enhancements to the Preserve’s Main Entrance, aka the Woodland Loop Trailhead: We ​ will create an ADA compliant boardwalk from the main entrance of the Woodland Loop trailhead through to the current overlook and onto Rickenbacker Drive. The boardwalk will be low-profile, and fit naturally into the landscape. The trailhead will have seating, along with information on the Preserve and interpretive and wayfaring signage. It will also be accessible through a defined footpath from the gravel driveway from Rickenbacker Drive to the Painted Turtle Trail. Finally, we will establish parking lot crossings at the trail entrance, through to the island and over to the 4055 Roswell Road office building. 2) Extension and Improvement of the Painted Turtle Trail (PTT): We will change the start of ​ the PTT to the front of the Preserve, off the driveway and near the seating area overlooking the pond, rather than directly at/on Roswell Road. We will keep the flow and trail makeup of the PTT as it is on Rickenbacker Drive, but post appropriate signage and ensure removal of overgrowth and the clearing of low hanging limbs to allow walkers, hikers, and runners a better experience off-street. 3) Rickenbacker Drive Pedestrian Path: We will install signage and a pedestrian path with ​ on-street markings where the Woodland Trail will cross Nancy Creek along Rickenbacker Drive. We also will include a caution sign there, clear brush at the bridge, and add raised pavement markers to delineate the pedestrian path. 4) River Cane Trail: We will renovate the River Cane Trail and improve its convergence into the ​ Woodland Loop Trail’s new ADA compliant boardwalk/entrance. 5) Mill Creek Crossings: We will install 2 bridges over Mill Creek to ensure safe access through ​ the Preserve. 6) Crossing at Lakemoore Drive: We will create a defined crosswalk, with flashing lights if ​ possible, and clear signage. Exact features will be clarified with the DOT and the City of Atlanta, but a delineated crossing would add safety, security, and visual appeal. 7) Destination Signage on Roswell Road: We will increase visibility of the Preserve through ​ destination signage on Roswell Road, and with taller City of Atlanta signage at the Roswell Road car entrances (at the Community Garden trailhead and at the entrance to the office building parking lot).

(continued) ​ ​

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Exhibit G (cont.): Blueway Trail Phase I List of Improvements

8) Community Garden Trailhead, Parking Lot, and Drive: We will create a better designed and ​ single trailhead at the Community Garden. A new large trailhead sign with maps to the trails and amenities will be added, and we will continue to limb trees and restore meadowlands in this area to make it welcoming to visitors. We will also continue to work with the City of Atlanta and the Department of Watershed Management toward renovation of the driveway and parking lots at the Community Garden/Tunnel Entrance. 9) ADA Compliant Building Access from Rickenbacker Drive and Painted Turtle Trail: We will ​ add an ADA-compliant parking spot beside the Rickenbacker Drive entrance and Painted Turtle Trail, and an ADA-compliant path and boardwalk ramp from that parking spot to the upper floor of the Preserve’s office building at 4055 Roswell Road (where the building’s ADA-compliant restroom is located). 10) Trail Maintenance Plan: Once Phase I’s improvements are made, ongoing trail maintenance ​ will be essential. Our construction estimate therefore includes the development of an initial 5-year trail maintenance plan.

In addition, where possible, we will:

● Widen current trails. Make trails span a minimum of four to five feet wherever possible. ​ ● Install additional caution signs, where appropriate, especially at crossings. ​ ● Build benches and seating along the trails, especially where there are overlooks and quiet ​ spaces. ● Clear overgrowth. ​ ● Keep vegetation shorter near the trails, with taller meadow plantings kept away from the ​ trails, to provide a better sense of security/visibility and encourage visitor engagement with nature. ● Create additional amenity and interpretive signage, where appropriate. ​ ● Create trail signs with a “you are here” at each major trailhead (ingress), including ​ flow/directional signs wherever there may be convergent paths/trails. ● Brand our crossings and any trail “blazings” with stenciled blue heron feet, and improve ​ ​ ​ trail markings throughout the Preserve.

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Exhibit H: Blueway Trail Phase II Feasibility Study - Construction and Land Cost Comparison of Potential Connections to Chastain Park

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Exhibit I: Blueway Trail Phase II Feasibility Study – Map of Potential Connections from the Preserve to Chastain Park

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Exhibit J: Feasibility Study Committee

BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE, INC. Feasibility Study Committee

Christine Williams, BHNP Board Treasurer Brent Blythe, BHNP Volunteer Keller Williams Realty Private Mortgage Banker Cell: (404) 245-1520 Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking [email protected] Cell: (404) 274-9666 [email protected] Connie York, BHNP Board Chair

Norris Broyles, BHNP Board Member Harry Norman Realty Norris Broyles Architects Home: (404) 266-9922 Office: (404) 257-1430 Cell: (678) 642-0059 Cell: (404) 272-6355 [email protected] [email protected] Kevin McCauley, Executive Director Reggie Colbert, BHNP Board Member Blue Heron Nature Preserve Drew Charter School Phone: (404) 455-3650 Cell: (404) 314-3364 [email protected] [email protected]

Bob Threlkeld, BHNP Board Member Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP Office: (404) 504-7757 [email protected]

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