Task 2 Memo Appendix B: Driving Tour Summary

SCAPE GRESHAM SMITH BIOHABITATS GOOD THINKING ATLANTA NEW SOUTH ASSOCIATES DR. NA'TAKI OSBORNE JELKS DR. RICHARD MILLIGAN EDWARDS-PITMAN CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER GREENWAY STUDY FOR THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERLANDS

TASK 2 MEMO APPENDIX B: DRIVING TOUR SUMMARY

SUBMITTED ON 05/03/2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DRIVING TOUR SUMMARY ...... 4 DAY 1...... 6

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12 DAY 2 ...... 14

# 28 DAY 3...... 30

36 DAY 4 ...... 38

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# 50 DAY 5...... 52

# 62 DRIVING TOUR SUMMARY

For five days, the Chattahoochee River Greenway project at the Chattahoochee Nature Center on Willeo WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 Study Project Team became immersed in river history, Road in Roswell with more than 40 in attendance. high-water views, aquatic and riparian ecology, The following day, the Project Team walked the past and present industry, parks and recreation The meeting format that night would be repeated Proctor Creek Greenway from the Bankhead MARTA sites, and the enormous effort many citizens, at each of the public meetings: a quick overview station at Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway toward Boyd officials, and naturalist groups have made to restore, that explained the purpose and intent of the Elementary School on Johnson Road. According to preserve, and protect the Chattahoochee River. Chattahoochee River Greenway Study followed by the PATH Foundation, the trail opened May 7, 2018, two simultaneous map and story-sharing exercises and follows the creek along the future 280-acre Along the long course of this tour, the Chattahoochee designed to spark dialogue, personal insight, and Atlanta Westside Park. Later that day, the Project Team River Greenway Study Project Team visited riverside fresh ideas on how to tackle pervasive challenges gathered at Atlanta-Fulton Public Library – Northwest communities and towns in North and South Fulton, and encourage exciting, ongoing progress. Branch at Scotts Crossing where they listened and Forsyth, Cobb, Gwinnett, Carroll, Douglas, and Coweta learned about the unique challenges and aspirations counties. They visited river sites near or in Cumming, Byron Rushing of the Atlanta Regional Commission of Westside citizen and neighborhood organizations. Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Duluth, Johns Creek, Roswell, Sandy kicked off the meeting with a brief presentation on Springs, Vinings, the Cumberland area, Bankhead, Proctor the Chattahoochee River Greenway Study. Attendees Creek, Riverside, Cascade Heights, Mableton, Palmetto, next divided into two groups to participate in two THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 and Chattahoochee Hills. Along the way, the tour stopped 30-minute exercises, after which comments were The day began in Cobb County and the Cumberland- at numerous units of the Chattahoochee River National recorded on a whiteboard for consideration and Galleria area and continued with a visit to Cochran Recreation Area as well as the Cobb County pilot park incorporation into project team planning and design. Shoals and Powers Island, two of 15 units of the site on Discovery Boulevard, Sweetwater Creek State Chattahoochee National Recreation Area stretching Group A participants gathered around an 8’ map Park in Douglas County, Chattahoochee Bend State Park 48 miles from (approximately) Buford Dam to West of the 100-mile Chattahoochee River Greenway in Coweta, and McIntosh Reserve Park in Carroll County. Palisades along Cumberland Parkway. After a short Study corridor. They exchanged stories about how Below are the highlights of the five day discovery tour. journey south, the Project Team crossed over the Cobb they or their organizations engaged with and were County riverfront to see Riverview Landing near Smyrna, inspired by the river. They also were asked about a riverside mixed-use development owned by Ardent MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 their priorities for the Chattahoochee River’s future, Companies. Later that day, Roberta Cook, founder including which aspects of the river mattered The Project Team started at the foot of Buford Dam. and executive director of the River Line Historic Area most to them (e.g. ecology, access, recreation, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper took participants on a boat nonprofit, led a hike into the 103-acre Cobb pilot site history, resilience, flooding, safety, and economic tour of the upper Chattahoochee below Buford Dam. (currently known to most as Johnston’s River Line Park) development) and which community groups needed to The Design Team saw a historic Cherokee fish weir that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Cobb be included in the planning of the Greenway Study. (an underwater V-shaped stone trap) and the Buford County rescued the site from development in 1990. Hatchery near Cumming as well as the McGinnis Ferry Group B participants gathered around a 10’ long unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation three-dimensional topographic model of the 100-mile Area and Settles Bridge Park in Gwinnett County. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 Chattahoochee River Greenway Study corridor. Design The Project Team began the day meeting up with “We need to work hard to make sure the mistakes team members asked participants to identify areas of priority or concern. SCAPE hammered small, color- Chattahoochee Hills resident Steve Nygren at Sweetwater made along the river north of the city are not Creek State Park. Mr. Nygren then led the group on a repeated in the rural areas south of the city. We flagged nails to mark locations of interest or concern: teal flag nails marked ecological points; red-brown tour of east Douglas County and northwest Coweta cannot prevent what has already happened— County, then southwest to the City of Chattahoochee but we can certainly protect what has not been flag nails identified places of historic interest, former industrial sites, trails and transportation lines, vacant Hills in South Fulton County. Over the course of the lost.” — Jerry Hightower, environmental education day, the Project Team saw sweeping countryside and coordinator for CRNRA at Island Ford near Roswell. land, questionable land use near the river, and, finally, businesses, churches, community groups, libraries, broad riverside vistas along the Chattahoochee. The and river-focused nonprofit groups; yellow flag nails tour members stopped often to talk to neighbors TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 marked existing, potential, and proposed access points and take photos, including stops at state and county parks and reserves, historic buildings, horse farms, After an early morning walk along Roswell's Riverwalk for pedestrians, cyclists, boats, and kayakers. The constant hammering was enthusiasm made audible. Redwine Plantation in South Fulton County and Foxhall Boardwalk with town officials, the Project Team Resort in Douglas County. The day ended at a well- travelled a few miles down river to enjoy Sandy attended public stakeholder meeting at Serenbe. Springs’ Morgan Falls Overlook Park and a tour by the Sandy Springs Conservancy. That evening, the Project Team hosted its first public meeting of the

4 SCAPE Proctor Creek

Riverlands Model at Community Meeting

5 DAY 1 FROM LAKE LANIER TO DROWNING ROCK 1. Buford Dam Park

2. Buford Dam Park: Lower Pools

3. Bowmans’s Island Shoals

4. Drowning Rock

5. Fish Weir BOAT TOUR WITH RIVERKEEPER 6. Medlock Bridge Boat Ramp

7. Johns Creek Water Intake

8. Johns Bridge

9. Rogers Bridge

10. Mcginnis Ferry Boat Ramp

Buford Dam

LEGEND

Boat Tour with Riverkeeper

6 SCAPE CUMMING

2 1

3 BUFORD 4 5

SUGAR HILL

JOHNS CREEK 10 SUWANEE

9 ROSWELL

8 7 DULUTH 6 EAST COBB

SANDY PEACHTREE SPRINGS CORNERS BUFORD DAM PARK: LOWER POOL ATTENDANCE • Byron Rushing (ARC)

• Walt Ray (TPL)

• Kevin Bacon (CoA)

• Nans Voron (SCAPE)

• Liz Camuti (SCAPE)

• Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) NOTES • Map of Lake Sidney Lanier in visitors center

• Limited ADA accessibility along trails

• The Lower Pool of the Buford Dam Buford Dam: Lower Pool - View from the bridge Park connects to the NPS

• No drones near dam

Buford Dam: Lower Pool West - View from parking area Buford Dam: Lower Pool East - Looking North to Utilities and Goats

8 SCAPE Buford Dam: Lower Pool West - Boat Ramp Crawfish Buford Dam: Lower Pool East - Pedestrian Bridge

Buford Dam: Lower Pool East - Trail Buford Dam: View of Chattahoochee River From Lower Pool East

9 BOWMAN’S ISLAND, FISH WEIR + DROWNING ROCK ATTENDANCE • Byron Rushing (ARC)

• Walt Ray (TPL)

• Kevin Bacon (CoA)

• Nans Voron (SCAPE)

• Liz Camuti (SCAPE)

• Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) NOTES • Walt Ray (TPL) led a walking tour of the parks in the most northern portion of CRNRA: Bowman’s Island Entrance From Lower Pool West the Chattahoochee River - mostly on the western portions within Forsyth County

• The CRNRA Bowman’s Unit can be accessed from the Buford Dam’s Lower Pool West Parking where there’s a pedestrian bridge crossing Haw’s Creek and connecting to the one of the three loop paths

CRNRA: Bowman’s Island - View Of Fish Weir Looking Downstream “Drowning Rock”

10 SCAPE CRNRA: Bowman’s Island Loop Trail Easement Near HWY 20 To “Drowning Rock”

CRNRA: Bowman’s Island Loop Trail “Drowning Rock”

11 BOAT TOUR WITH RIVERKEEPER ATTENDANCE 5 • Erik Fyfe (Chattahoochee Riverkeeper: Director of Program Innovation)

• Jason Ulseth (Chattahoochee Riverkeeper: Riverkeeper)

• Nans Voron (SCAPE)

• Liz Camuti (SCAPE)

• Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) NOTES • Riverkeeper has programs in place that empower individuals to monitor local 4 creeks and send in water samples

• Floating classroom program for school events

• Sediment coming in from the Rogers Bridge Tubing Launch Point creeks like Suwannee Creek STOPS ON BOAT TOUR 1. Medlock Bridge Boat Ramp

2. Johns Creek Water Intake

3. Johns Bridge

4. Rogers Bridge

5. Mcginnis Ferry Boat Ramp 1

Rogers Bridge - No Longer An Accessible Crossing

12 SCAPE Medlock Bridge Boat Ramp John’s Creek Water Intake

Mouth Of Suwannee Creek With Pipe Overpass Mcginnis Ferry Road: Boat Ramp

13 DAY 2 AZALEA PARK BOAT RAMP 1. Azalea Park Boat Ramp TOUR OF THE ROSWELL RIVERWALK 2. Chattahoochee Nature Center

3. Willeo Park

4. Riverside Park

5. Ace Sands

6. Don White Memorial Park

7. Martin Lake TOUR OF MORGAN FALLS 8. Morgan Falls Overlook Park

9. Morgan Falls Dam Morgan Falls Dam STAKE HOLDER MEETING #1 2. Chattahoochee Nature Center

LEGEND

Stakeholder Meeting #1

14 SCAPE ROSWELL

6 5 4 1 2 7

EAST COBB

8 9 PEACHTREE CORNERS

SANDY SPRINGS AZALEA PARK BOAT LAUNCH ATTENDANCE • Byron Rushing (ARC)

• Walt Ray (TPL)

• Yanlin Wu (Cobb County)

• Nans Voron (SCAPE)

• Liz Camuti (SCAPE)

• Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) NOTES • Highwater due to Buford Dam release and record rainfall

Azalea Park Boat Launch After Heavy Rain

Roswell Riverwalk Between Azalea Park Boat Launch and Roswell River Landing Drone Photo of Azalea Park Boat Launch After Heavy Rain

16 SCAPE Azalea Park Boat Launch After Heavy Rain The Roswell River Landing

Rowers Club Boat Storage After Heavy Rain Drone Photo Looking North Along Chattahoochee River Above Azalea Park

17 TOUR OF THE ROSWELL RIVERWALK ATTENDANCE NOTES • David Smith (Ecological Solutions) • Connects: Chattahoochee Nature Center, Azalea Park, Riverside Park (Adjacent to • Debra Ewing (City of Roswell) CRNRA: Vickery Creek Unit), Ace Sands (WIP), Don White Memorial Park • Jeffrey Leatherman (City of Roswell) • 10’ standard trail width, 12’ preferred • Jeff Pruit (City of Roswell) • Helical screw piles - army corp. considers • Jim Santo (ARC: Principal Planner) this to not need Section 404 as it’s “not a • Henning von Schmeling (CNC: Director) jurisdictional intrusion” (5’ spacing)

• Liz Hausmann (Fulton County Commissioner) • Cost: $2 million per mile cost

• Byron Rushing (ARC) • GDOT financed 80%

• Walt Ray (TPL) • MRPA: Shifted Right of Way with proof of old road from 1930’s aerials • Yanlin Wu (Cobb County) • Flyway for migratory birds with mudflat habitats • Eric Meyer (Cobb County) • Riverside Park looking for $750k for improvements • Nans Voron (SCAPE) + additional commercial facilities

• Liz Camuti (SCAPE) • Area attracts people from outside of Roswell Riverwalk Boardwalk Along Willeo Rd Roswell - most people put in their boats at • Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) Don White and pull out at Azalea Park

• Parking is a challenge - pushing for bike connectivity

• Big community event for Privet removal

• Ace Sands is new acquisition - used to be a dredging operation. Will be a focal point for the park system in Roswell. Include interpretive garden, visitor center, event venue.

• Siltation is a major issue. 1930’s image shows sand bars.

• Above 400, the river has more shoals. Around Garrard Landing is the prettiest section of the River

• Most popular Memorial Day to Labor Day, Dusk to Dawn. There’s a Shooting the Hooch outfitters there.

• Art project to paint the raised sewerlids

• Island Bar Shoals are great for trout fishing, sunbathing, popular spot

Roswell Riverwalk Boardwalk Along Willeo Rd

18 SCAPE Roswell Riverwalk Art Roswell Riverwalk Path To Boardwalk

Roswell Riverwalk Monument For “Trail Of Tears” Riverside Park - Existing Facilities

19 TOUR OF MORGAN FALLS ATTENDANCE • Melody Harclerode (Sandy Springs Parks Conservancy)

• Carolyn Axt (Sandy Springs Parks Conservancy)

• Byron Rushing (ARC)

• Walt Ray (TPL)

• Nans Voron (SCAPE)

• Liz Camuti (SCAPE)

• Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) NOTES • The Sandy Springs Conservancy was started before the city was formally incorporated, in 2001 as an attempt to preserve disappearing greenspace. Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005 Morgan Falls Overlook Park Picnic Area

• Proposed was a pedestrian bridge below Morgan Falls Dam (3 options) connecting under-utilized dog park on the East side and Hyde Farm on the West side (which connects to the CRNRA Johnson Ferry Unit (North))

• Crooked Creek could be a canoe landing

• MARTA to extend along the North Line beyond North Springs to “North Ridge Station” (currently over an hour walk from Morgan Falls Overlook Park)

• Siltation is a problem. When they recertified the dam 5 years ago, they did a study of the siltation. They found there would be more damage from removing the silt than leaving it, because of contamination

Morgan Falls Overlook Park Morgan Falls Overlook Park - The Power Cabin Chimney

20 SCAPE Morgan Falls Overlook Park Morgan Falls Dam

Morgan Falls Overlook Park Dock Under-Utilized Dog Park Adjacent To Morgan Falls Dam

21 STAKEHOLDER MEETING #1 CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER, 12/11/18

ATTENDANCE A SHARED VISION: THE Design Team project manager Chris Barnes of SCAPE ASPIRATIONS landscape architecture and urban design pointed to the • Nikki Belmonte (Atlanta Audubon Society) CHATTAHOOCHEE CONNECTS US abundance of infrastructure, ecological, cultural, and • Connectivity - between places, between parks, historic assets in North Atlanta. “It is evident from many across the river, between access pts. Engaged residents and other stakeholders attended the • Mark Gernazian (Atlanta Cycling) comments that most want to promote these assets and Chattahoochee River Greenway Study first public meeting share them with their neighbors to the south,” he said. • Connect parks! • DeAnn Fordham (Chattahoochee Nature Center) at Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) on Willeo Road “They are acutely aware of local landowner concerns in Roswell. Roswell and Sandy Springs residents and • “United” as driving theme for safety and privacy but also feel most who live on • Chris Nelson (Chattahoochee Nature Center) officials long ago embraced the health and beauty of or near the river know the river belongs to everyone.” • Capitalize on recent successes and newly • Cathy Barnard (Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy) the Chattahoochee River as a primary attraction of their community. The two municipalities have invested acquired public property (e.g., in John’s • Phillip Hodges (Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy) millions in preserving and providing river access with an Creek, Gwinnet Trail Plan, etc) abundance of parks, boat ramps, boardwalks, and public • Sustainability • Sally Bethea (Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy services. These investments have attracted large numbers of visitors and guests to Roswell and Sandy Springs. • Jen McCoy (Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy) • Public Access After a brief presentation by Chris Nelson on the • Jason Ulseth (Chattahoochee Riverkeeper) • Pedestrian access across the river CNC capital campaign and Chattahoochee River • Nathan Farnau (Georgia Aquarium) Greenway Study Project manager Byron Rushing of Atlanta Regional Commission, attendees divided • Melody Harclerode (Sandy Springs into two groups to participate in two 30-minute Parks Conservancy) exercises. Comments were recorded on white OBSTACLES boards for later use in planning and design. • Jerry Hightower (National Parks (CRNRA)) • Pressures from development • Group A participants gathered around an 8’ map • Bill Cox (National Parks (CRNRA)) of the 100-mile CRGS focus area. They exchanged • Water quality south of Atlanta stories about how they or their organizations • Kimberly Greer (City of John’s Creek) engaged with and were inspired by the river. • Flooding • Mike Perry (City of Sandy Springs) • Group B participants gathered around a 10’ long • Brandon Hembree (City of Sugar Hill) three-dimensional topographic model of the 100- mile CRGS focus area. Design Team members asked • David Smith (Roswell Rec Comm) participants to identify areas of priority or concern.

• Patrick O’Rouke (Georgia Power) Among the key takeaways from the first public meeting was the shared passion and hope + CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERLANDS DESIGN TEAM for a more holistic understanding of the river AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS ecology, a greater understanding of the river’s value as a parks and recreational asset, and the need for improved public access up and down the river. Additional key observations and insights gathered at this meeting include:

• The wish of having more connectivity between existing parks

• Creating more public access to the river

• Concerns about the flooding coming from the river

• The ability for pedestrians to cross the river

22 SCAPE Sally Bethea And Melody Harclerode

Nathan Farnau And Jerry Hightower Stakeholder Meeting #1 At The Chattahoochee Nature Center

23 MAP DOCUMENTATION FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #1

24 SCAPE 25 MODEL NOTES FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #1

26 SCAPE 27 MODEL DOCUMENTATION FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #1

28 SCAPE 29 DAY 3 MEETING AT THE ARC ABOUT MRPA 1. Atlanta Regional Commission TOUR OF PROCTOR CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL 2. Proctor Creek Trailhead MEETING WITH PROCTOR CREEK WATERSHED RESIDENTS 3. Northwest Library at Scott's Crossing CHATTAHOOCHEE BRICK COMPANY SITE

4. Chattahoochee Brick Company Site

Proctor Creek

LEGEND

Chattahoochee Brick Company Site

30 SCAPE VININGS

PACES

4 BLUFFS 3

ENGLISH PARK

INDUSTRIAL GROVE PARK AREA

ATLANTA 1 MIDTOWN TOUR OF PROCTOR CREEK GREENWAY ATTENDANCE • Dr. Na’Taki • Justine Schwartz Osborne Jelks (Grove Park Foundation) • Andrew Walter (COA) • Jill Arrington • John Dargle (COA) (Groundwork Atlanta)

• Clara Kwon (COA) • H.H. Howard (SHAPE Architecture) • Daniel Calvert (COA) • Darryl Haddock • Susan Rutherford (West Atlanta (COA) Watershed Alliance) • Juanita Wallace • Keith Sharp (Proctor Creek (Riverwalk Atlanta) Stewardship Council - PCSC) • Kathy Hearn (Riverwalk Atlanta) • Yvonne Sade Jones (PCSC) + CHATTAHOOCHEE Proctor Creek Stewardship Council + Residents RIVERLANDS DESIGN • Donna Stephens TEAM AND PROJECT (PCSC, English MANAGEMENT Park Resident) TEAM MEMBERS • Torrie Redding (Grove Park Neighborhood Association) NOTES • Trail segment 1 is complete, 2 more segments planned. Collaboration with TPL

• Newly incorporated area of Grove City - deals with issues of access - it can take an hour to get to the grocery store by public transportation + low car ownership

• Group in area focuses on issues related to Food Deserts, Displacement, Health Disparities, Affordability, Gentrification

• Proctor Creek used to be beautiful stream for crawfishing or playing. Now highly contaminated

Darryl Haddock, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance Proctor Creek

32 SCAPE Proctor Creek Trail Segment 1 Proctor Creek Along Trail Segment 1

Proctor Creek Where It Meets The Highway Proctor Creek Elevated Trail Segment 1

33 LIBRARY STAKEHOLDER MEETING ATTENDANCE Creek and sends them to Riverkeeper once a week. She also teaches and participates in • Dr. Na’taki Osborne Jelks stewardship events at the local schools.

• Donna Stephens (PCSC, English Park Resident) • Pamela Flores is an NPU zoning chair based on her past work in development/construction • Pamela Flores (NPU-L Chair) in the New Jersey. She would like to see an ecology center developed for Proctor Creek • Jill Arrington (Groundwork Atlanta) that give kids an understanding of the • Juanita Wallace (PCSC) potential for beauty on the site and exposure to learning opportunities at an early age. • Keith Sharp (Riverwalk Atlanta) • Jill Arrington works with Groundwork Atlanta • Kathy Hearn (Riverwalk Atlanta) (established in 2015). Current areas of focus include Urban Agriculture, Brownfield Redevelopment, • H.H. Howard (SHAPE) and Multi-use Path Network. Specifically, her work focuses on development in neighborhoods • Clara Kwon (COA) that are highly industrialized with brownfields + CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERLANDS DESIGN TEAM where people want to get involved. AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS • Overall, everyone expressed an interest in engagement with youth - getting them to recognize NOTES the beauty within their own neighborhoods. A good precedent for this is the Lindsay St Park. • H.H. Howard/SHAPE is proposing 1000 units Dr. Na’taki Osborne Jelks Introduces Proctor Creek Residents of housing on edge of Chattahoochee River • Obstacles: Culverts covered with sediment, along Atlanta Fulton Industrial Area Grants given without relationship to actual community, Chattahoochee Brick Company • Donna Stephens lives in English Park and is part requires reflection + appropriate honor. of the Proctor Creek Watershed which includes 38 neighborhoods. She is part of the Proctor Creek Stewardship Council which protects the health of the people, land and water in the watershed against the ramifications of development.

• Mrs. Stephens is particularly concerned with increasing industrialization - limited greenspace, high rates of asthma, chronic health issues, quality of life and quality of water diminished by adjacent land use.

• Mrs. Stephens sees Chattahoochee Brick Company’s history of convict leasing (Slavery By Another Name) is being resuscitated with proposal for an oil and gas facility there.

• Issues of traffic and congestion along Bolton Road.

• Juanita Wallace was born and raised on English Avenue where she used to play in Proctor Creek and eat the crawfish found there. Her Grandmother was baptized in the Creek. She left for many years and recently came back to find the area polluted.

• Today, Juanita collects water samples from the Donna Stephans, English Park Resident

34 SCAPE H. H. Howard, Shape Architecture Meeting At Northwest Library At Scott’s Crossing

Juanita Wallace, Proctor Creek Stewardship Council Pamela Flores, NPU-L Chair And Jill Arrington, Groundwork Atlanta

35 TOUR OF CHATTAHOOCHEE BRICK COMPANY SITE ATTENDANCE NOTES • Dr. Na’taki Osborne Jelks • Strategic location - adjacent to Chattahoochee River, Proctor Creek, and Whittier Mill Park. • Donna Stephens (English Park) • History of Convict Leasing used at Chattahoochee • Pamela Flores (NPU-L Chair) Brick Company (“Slavery By Another Name”) starting in the late 1800’s around the time • Jill Arrington (Groundwork Atlanta) of the saw mills. The facility produced • Juanita Wallace (PCSC) thousands of hand-made bricks a day, and claimed incredibly high mortality rates. • Keith Sharp (Riverwalk Atlanta) • There are no marked graves on the site other than • Kathy Hearn (Riverwalk Atlanta) Avery Bates who’s grave was added recently.

• H.H. Howard (SHAPE) • The Company was purchased in 1878 by William Lowe and Captain James English. They owned a • Clara Kwon (COA) conglomerate of construction related businesses all using convict labor. 1880-82 Captain English • Byron Rushing (ARC) was the Mayor of Atlanta and then 1883-1906 • Walt Ray (TPL) became the Head of the Atlanta Police Department. Juanita Wallace’s Great Grandmother And Family In Georgia • Kevin Bacon (COA) • As Mayor, Captain English mandated that all city streets must be paved in the name • Yanlin Wu (Cobb County) of social hygiene and good grooming.

• Kate Orff (SCAPE) • He also pushed for the development of the Atlanta industrial zone, all built of his brick. • Gena Wirth (SCAPE) • For the influx of rural laborers, he build • Chris Barnes (SCAPE) two large working class neighborhoods - Vine City and English Avenue. • Nans Voron (SCAPE) • "As the police commissioner, he reassured • Grace Dials (SCAPE) the industrial elite of a reliable access • Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) to virtually no cost labor for a host of enterprises." (Becherer, Bricks and Bones) • Erin Thoresen (GS) • Packet was compiled by Riverwalk about • Louis Johnson (GS) future plans and proposals for the site.

• Jessica Hardesty Norris (Biohabitats) • Serious site remediation is needed.

• Matt Porter (Good Thinking)

• Renee Hilpertshauser (Good Thinking)

• Neil Fried (Good Thinking)

Gas And Oil Facilities (Kinder Morgan Chattahoochee Terminal)

36 SCAPE Grave Of Avery Bates, An Employee Of The Chattahoochee Brick Company Who Died On Site Chattahoochee Brick Company Site Today

Chattahoochee Brick Company Site Today Chattahoochee Brick Company Site Today

37 DAY 4 TOUR OF COBB COUNTY RECREATIONAL SITES 1. Chattahoochee Coffee Company

2. Cochran Shoals Unit: Interstate North

3. Cochran Shoals Unit: Powers Island

4. Whitewater Creek Trail

5. Paces Mill Unit LUNCH AT B’S CRACKLIN’ BARBECUE 6. B's Cracklin BBQ PILOT SITE VISIT + TOUR OF THE BLUELINE 7. Riverview Development

8. Pilot Site + River Line Historic Area Cochran Shoals Unit STAKEHOLDER MEETING #2 9. Atlanta City Studio

LEGEND

Stakeholder Meeting #2

38 SCAPE 3 2

VININGS

PACES

7 BLUFFS

ENGLISH 8 PARK

INDUSTRIAL GROVE PARK AREA

ATLANTA MIDTOWN

9 COBB COUNTY TOUR

Cochran Shoals Powers Island

Cochran Shoals Powers Island Cochran Shoals Powers Island I75 Bridge at Paces Mill Unit

40 SCAPE Cochran Shoals Unit Cochran Shoals Powers Island

Cochran Shoals Unit I285 Bridge at Cochran Shoals Unit

41 PILOT SITE (INCLUDING RIVER LINE) ATTENDANCE NOTES • Roberta Cook (River Line Historica Area) • The River Line Historic Area (operated by the Mableton Improvement Coalition) embraces • Tom Bills (Cobb County Parks) historic and natural resources near the Chattahoochee River (and Nickajack Creek) to • Ligia Florim (District 4 Engineer) unite the community as a place of distinction. • Jim Santo (ARC) It is an undeveloped area with great views

• Byron Rushing (ARC) • 1832 Cobb County land lottery divided area in 40 parcels and distributed to pioneer settlers • Walt Ray (TPL) • The Turner Mayson Ferry ran across the • Kevin Bacon (COA) Chattahoochee River where Veterans Memorial is today. (1844 - 1897) • Eric Meyer (Cobb County) • In 1845 the Western & Atlantic Railroad begins • Yanlin Wu (Cobb County) operation between Atlanta and Marietta

• Kate Orff (SCAPE) • Civil war (1864) - Johnston’s River Line earthworks include Shoupade forts and the • Gena Wirth (SCAPE) both confederate and federal entrenchments. • Chris Barnes (SCAPE) The Shoupades acted as forts and are made of log walls that could accommodate up to • Nans Voron (SCAPE) 80 soldiers. There were 36, 8 remain today Confederate Entrenchment Within River Line Historic Area

• Grace Dials (SCAPE) • Extant buildings within the historical area are Howell’s Mill, Hooper-Turner House, and • Sophie Riedel (SCAPE) the Log Cabin Community Sunday School

• Nans Voron (SCAPE) • Plan recommends: Addition of pocket and linear parks, access to community parks near • Erin Thoresen (GS) the river, restoration of wetlands, focus on • Louis Johnson (GS) protecting and enhancing natural resources, addition of trails and enhanced to connection to • Sarah Blackburn (GS) schools to the river

• Keith Bowers (Biohabitats) • “Cobb Beach” is located at the mouth of Nickajack Creek where it meets the Chattahoochee. • Jessica Hardesty Norris (Biohabitats) Usually a sand beach. Covered with mud when we visited. Connects to easements • Matt Porter (Good Thinking) • Easement for sewers runs parallel • Renee Hilpertshauser (Good Thinking) to the Chattahoochee River about 120’ from the water’s edge

• People use the beachy area when the weather is nice

River Line Historic Area With The Team

42 SCAPE Tracks Near Nickajack Creek Riverview Development

Wading In At “Cobb Beach” Where Nickajack Creek And The Chattahoochee River Meet Sewer Line Easement

43 STAKEHOLDER MEETING #2 ATLANTA CITY STUDIO, 12/13/18

three-dimensional topographic model of the 100- ATTENDANCE WEST ATLANTA AND EAST mile CRGS focus area. SCAPE facilitators asked ASPIRATIONS • Esther Stokes (Atlanta Audubon Society) COBB NEIGHBORS LEAD participants to identify areas of priority or concern. • Better connectivity between/among the parks and greenspaces • Adam Betuel (Atlanta Audubon Society) THE WAY TO IMPROVE THEIR Key takeaways from the second Chattahoochee River RIVER COMMUNITIES Greenway Study public meeting included concerns • Create human narrative around ecological • Steve Nygren (Chattahoochee NOW) about social equity, environmental justice, and issues (invasive plants, migratory birds, water There is much excitement and growing enthusiasm for pervasive pollution from nearby grandfathered industry, quality, local species health/diversity) • Erik Fyfe (Chattahoochee Riverkeeper) the Chattahoochee River Greenway corridor among and the need not only to include residents in the residents of Atlanta’s Westside and Cobb County’s conversation about the Chattahoochee Greenway • The Chattahoochee should be like • Mrs. R. R. Harris (Friends of Collier Heights Park) riverside communities — and a lot of progress that corridor improvement, but to involve them in “air” available to everyone • Bill Eisenhauer (Metropolitan Atlanta many are beginning to notice. Residents of communities doing much of the work. Another frequently heard • Perceived as complete linear system in its entirety, Urban Watershed Institute) on both sides of the river south of the RM Clayton concern was the possibility of longtime residents Water Reclamation Plant and north of the I20 river being displaced as the popularity and opportunity of not just random moments where roadways cross it. • Brett Davidson (MTB Atlanta) crossing not only share the same passion for greater Atlanta’s Westside gains attracts young newcomers. • Public Transportation Access river access as well as restoration and preservation • Roberta Cook (River Line Historic District Area) Additional key observations and insights of the entire Chattahoochee watershed, their recent • Prioritize certain sites like Chattahoochee Brick, progress has been more dramatic largely because this gathered at this meeting include: • George Durenbury (The Trust for Public Land) Standing Peach tree, Cochran Mill and the State Park section of the river has been too long ignored and • Improving the connectivity between parks • Jim Morgens (The Trust for Public Land) abused. The residents are changing the narrative. • Creating a human narrative around ecological issues OBSTACLES • Jim Santo (Atlanta Regional Commission) Because of residents’ efforts to organize communities, • Balancing conservation and public access advocate for more green space, and remove debris, • Providing more public transportation access • Dustin Hillis (City of Atlanta) invasive plants, and other contaminants, water quality • Balancing conservation and public access • Affordability and housing, preventing more in the west Atlanta watershed is showing signs of gentrification + avoiding displacement • Andrew Walter (City of Atlanta) improvement. Private citizens and organizations such Design team project manager Nans Voron of SCAPE • Maintain water quality • Todd Hill (City of Atlanta) as the PATH Foundation, the West Atlanta Watershed landscape architecture and urban design pointed to Alliance (WAWA), Cobb’s River Line Historic Area, the determination and dedication of Atlanta Westside • Coordination among cities, counties, etc. • Cory Rayburn (City of Atlanta) Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and the Proctor Creek and East Cobb neighbors to open the eyes of their Stewardship Council are helping to improve the communities to the beauty, value, and opportunity • Addressing river base flow issues related • Susan E. Coleman (City of Atlanta) water quality of Proctor and Nickajack creeks while of the Chattahoochee represe. “During our walks to surrounding imperviousness forcefully advocating for more direct access to river along Proctor Creek, our visit to Chattahoochee Brick, • Terence McBride (City of Atlanta) sections that flow through their communities. and our hike through the pilot park site in Cobb • Working with current regulations in a way that • Matt Westmore (City of Atlanta) County, it is clear there are many citizens along this continues/enhances river/water protection At a large gathering of area residents, interest groups, urban river corridor who are fighting to open the • Clara Kwon (City of Atlanta) and city officials at Atlanta City Studio in Cascade Chattahoochee waterfront to parks and recreation. Heights, ideas flowed for improving area tributaries and There is no lack of will here. What they need is • Susan Rutherford (City of Atlanta) reclaiming vacant industrial land. Residents spoke of more support from the entire Atlanta community.” challenges and disappointments but also of opportunities • Mandy Elliot (Cobb County) essential to improving the long-term health of the river.

• Glenda Allen (People TV Asst.) After a brief presentation on the Chattahoochee River Greenway Study team and plan led by Byron • Richard Dagenhart (Georgia Tech Rushing of the Atlanta Regional Commission, School of Architecture) attendees divided into two groups to participate • Jill Arrington (Groundwork Atlanta) in sharing and listening exercises.

+ CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERLANDS DESIGN TEAM • Group A participants gathered around an 8’ map of the 100-mile CRGS focus area. They exchanged AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS stories about how they or their organizations engaged with and were inspired by the river. • Group B participants gathered around a 10’ long

44 SCAPE Stakeholder Meeting #2 Introduction

Atlanta City Studio Pop-Up On Cascade Rd In West Atlanta Hosted Stakeholder Meeting #2 Stakeholders Pinpoint Locations Along The Chattahoochee River At Stakeholder Meeting #2

45 MAP DOCUMENTATION FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #2

46 SCAPE 47 MODEL DOCUMENTATION FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #2

48 SCAPE 49 MODEL NOTES FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #2

50 SCAPE 51 DAY 5 DESIGN OVER DONUTS 1. Atlanta City Studio TOUR WITH CHATTNOW 2. Sweetwater Creek State Park

3. Fulton Industrial Area

4. Old Campbellton

5. Bouckaert Farms

6. Redwine Plantation

7. Dunaway Gardens

8. Chattahoochee State Bend Park

9. McIntosh Reserve Park

10. Moore's Historic Bridge

11. Fox Hall Resort Sweetwater Creek State Park Visitor's Center 12. Boundary Waters

13. Cochran Mill Park STAKEHOLDER MEETING #3 14. Serenbe

LEGEND

Stakeholder Meeting #3

52 SCAPE MABLETON

3 ATLANTA - FULTON INDUSTRIAL AREA DOUBLEGATE

4 CAMPBELLTON

5 MCWHORTER

12 6

CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS 13

WHITEBURG 10

9 YELLOW DIRT 8 SARGENT TOUR WITH CHATTAHOOCHEE NOW ATTENDANCE NOTES • Steve Nygren (Chattahoochee Now) • See packet developed by Chattahoochee NOW: “Chattahoochee River Greenway • Tom Reed (Chattahoochee Hills Mayor) Study - Scape Windshield Tour”

• Jett Hattaway (Chattahoochee NOW) • 53 miles of river, 5 counties, and two municipalities. • Tim Banks (Riverbanks Adventures, Former Less than 10% disturbed rural land in southern Chattahoochee Bend State Park Ranger) portion under threat of urban sprawl. Majority of land is owned by private landowners with • Jessica Fangmeyer (Chattahoochee large parcels of land. Currently, there are 5 Bend State Park Asst. Manager) access points along the southern portion.

• Daryl Johnson (McIntosh Reserve Park) • ChattNOW’s primary objective is to change the designation of the use of the River from • Keith Robinson (Redwine Plantation) Atlanta to West Point Lake from Fishing to Recreational which limits waste water discharge. • H. Smith McCullough III (Sweetwater Creek State Park) • Tour included: Sweetwater Creek State Park Sweetwater Creek State Park Visitor Center Visitor Center, Fulton Industrial Complex, • Byron Rushing (ARC) Old Campbellton, Bouckaert Farms, Redwine • Walt Ray (TPL) Plantation, Dunaway Gardens, Chattahoochee Bend State Park, McIntosh Reserve Park, Moores • Kevin Bacon (COA) Bridge Park, Fox Hall Resort, Boundary Waters Park, Cochran Mill Park, and Serenbe. • Yanlin Wu (Cobb County) • Chattahoochee Hills was incorporated in 2007. • Gena Wirth (SCAPE) The CHCA is proposing the “Georgia Aerotropolis Corridor” from the airport to the resorts. • Chris Barnes (SCAPE)

• Nans Voron (SCAPE)

• Sophie Riedel (SCAPE)

Mcintosh Reserve: Historic Cabin - Carroll County

54 SCAPE Steve Nygren And Mayor Tom Reed Lead Tour Of Southern Portion Of The Chattahoochee River Chattahoochee Bend State Park Entrance

Redwine Plantation Lunch Cochran Mill Park

55 STAKEHOLDER MEETING #3 SERENBE, 12/14/18 ATTENDANCE SOUTH OF ATLANTA, recreational destinations ASPIRATIONS • Setting a stage for responsible growth strategies • Steve Nygren • Judy Noles (Keep GREENSPACE AND • More public access (cognizant of private lands) (Chattahoochee Now) South Fulton PRESERVATION EFFORTS • Creating connections across the river Beautiful) • Conservation • Tom Reed ABUNDANT, ORGANIZED, “We are working with longtime residents and newcomers (Chattahoochee • Pete Edmondson to build a better quality of life,” said Chattahoochee • Implement Chattahoochee Hill Country PATH plan Hills Mayor) (MTB Atlanta) VISIONARY Hills Mayor Tom Reed. “The reason is simple: They want • Connect to regional recreational opportunities The final day of the Chattahoochee River Greenway their children to be able to stay here – and they know • Michelle Hamner • Nick Kilburg (Southern Study Driving Tour including an all-day driving that if they find ways to develop jobs and opportunity • Enhance access/visibility of cultural legacy (Atlanta Audubon Conservation Trust) tour of many sights and features of South Fulton, while at the same time preserving the beauty and (native american, african american, agricultural, Society) • Patricia Barneyor Carroll, Douglas, and Coweta counties. That night, openness of this area, new generations will come and political history, urban morphology) • Scott Eldred (TPL) many gathered at The Inn at Serenbe for a public stay. Or as another resident at the meeting said, ‘We • Set stage for responsible growth strategies (Carroll County stakeholder meeting to share their perspectives have learned that if we do not share it, we will lose it.’” • Diana Wilson (City of on how best to plan and manage improvement to Historical Society) • Public Transportation access to Industrial District Chattahoochee Hills) the Chattahoochee River corridor in this area. • Jett Hattaway • Access to Airport (Chattahoochee NOW) • Mike Morton (City of The range of participants was impressive, with many Chattahoochee Hills) representatives from the Chattahoochee Working Group • Jodi Mansbach in attendance, as well as residents who represented OBSTACLES • Thomas Peters (Chattahoochee NOW) the third, fourth, fifth, and ninth generations of local • Private property ownership (Serenbe) families. Attendees divided into two groups to participate • Stan + Marie • Matt Adolfi (Serenbe) in two 30-minute exercises. Comments were recorded • Connections across the river Bouckaert on white boards for later use in planning and design. (Chattahoochee NOW) • Charles Bowen • Group A participants gathered around an 8’ map • Katharine Wilkinson • Pepper and of the 100-mile CRGS focus area. They exchanged (Chattahoochee NOW) stories about how they or their organizations Glen Bullock engaged with and were inspired by the river. • Chris Doans (Friends • John and Paul Raulet of Chattahoochee • Group B participants gathered around a 10’ long three-dimensional topographic model of the 100- Bend) • Katharine Bugbee mile CRGS focus area. SCAPE facilitators asked participants to identify areas of priority or concern. • Jerry Stober (Friends • Mark Hennessy of McIntosh Reserve) Among other topics, residents discussed the • Rudy, Ned and Chattahoochee Hills plan for protection of green • Bill Bouris (Friends of Graham Peck space and sensible development. They expressed a McIntosh Reserve) commitment to more public access to the river, similar • Garnie Nygren • Mitch Clifton (Friends to that of communities in Atlanta and further north. of McIntosh Reserve) • Karen Hattaway (UGA) Some suggested adding more non-vehicular bridges to connect both sides of the river. And they spoke • Carrol Mitchell + CHATTAHOOCHEE passionately about local history. As one local resident (Friends of McIntosh RIVERLANDS DESIGN said, “The further south you go on the Chattahoochee Reserve) TEAM AND PROJECT River, the more history you will find because here MANAGEMENT the river is navigable by boats and barges. We have • Robin Collins (Friends TEAM MEMBERS a rich history here and we are proud to share it.” of McIntosh Reserve) Additional key observations and insights gathered at this meeting include: • Creating more public access to the river’s edge • Connecting the area to regional

56 SCAPE Stakeholder Meeting #3 Introduction At Serenbe Inn

Stakeholder Meeting #3 Looking Over The Map (Tom Blum And Jet Hattaway) Stakeholder Meeting #3 Chattahoochee River Model

57 MAP DOCUMENTATION FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #3

58 SCAPE 59 MAP NOTES FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #3

60 SCAPE MODEL NOTES FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #3

61 MODEL DOCUMENTATION FROM STAKEHOLDER MEETING #3

62 SCAPE 63