Buckhead’s Green Renaissance: How Parks Build a Healthier, More Prosperous, and Smarter Community 11 Apr 2025, 5:29 pm

Morning light filters through the oak trees of Chastain Park as Dr. Alicia Monroe, a public health researcher at Emory, monitors a group of older adults practicing tai chi. “Their blood pressure readings improve an average of 8% after these sessions,” she notes. “This isn’t just recreation; it’s preventative healthcare.”

Buckhead’s park system has become a powerful engine driving community health, economic growth, and environmental education. As developers continue to reshape Atlanta’s most important district, these green spaces provide measurable benefits that extend far beyond their boundaries.

Nature’s Healthcare System

Recent studies reveal Buckhead’s parks function as vital public health infrastructure:

Cardiovascular Benefits: Regular park users show 19% lower hypertension rates (Emory School of Medicine, 2023)

Mental Health: Just 40 minutes in green space reduces cortisol levels equivalent to a 5mg dose of hydrocortisone (CDC, 2024)

Community Wellness: Free yoga and fitness classes in parks have reached over 3,200 residents since 2022

Dr. Monroe emphasizes, “Our air quality monitors show pollutant levels 27% lower within 300 feet of major parks. These aren’t amenities they’re life-saving interventions.”

The Green Economy

Buckhead’s parks generate surprising financial returns:

Property Values

Homes near PATH400 appreciated 22% faster than comparable properties (Zillow, 2023)

Office vacancies near parks are 35% lower (CBRE Market Report) Classrooms Without Walls

Business Growth

Retailers along park corridors report 18% higher sales

73% of Buckhead employers cite parks as recruitment tools

Cost Savings

Tanyard Creek’s wetlands prevent $800,000 in annual flood damage

Tree canopy saves $2.4 million in stormwater management costs

“Parks aren’t line items in a budget they’re profit centers,” says urban economist Marcus Johnson. “Every dollar invested in Path400 has generated $4.20 in economic returns.”

Buckhead’s parks have become dynamic learning environments

Atlanta History Center Gardens

5,000 students annually participate in living history programs in the Goizueta Gardens

Beekeeping workshops produce 300lbs of park honey yearly

PATH400 STEM Labs

Georgia Tech students monitor air quality sensors

Local schools use the trail for physics experiments

Tanyard Creek Ecology Program

Volunteers have identified 47 new pollinator species

Water quality testing informs citywide conservation efforts

“These parks are creating the next generation of environmental stewards,” says educator Jamal Carter. “Students aren’t just learning science they’re doing it.”

Climate Resilience in Action

I spoke with climate urbanist Dr. Priya Kapoor about Buckhead’s pioneering approaches:

Q: How do parks combat urban heat?

PATH400’s tree canopy cools adjacent streets by 11°F. We’re now designing ‘shade corridors’ along Peachtree Road using these principles.

Q: What about flooding?

Tanyard Creek’s restoration reduced nearby flood claims by 42%. Our new ‘sponge park’ designs can hold 500,000 gallons during storms.

Q: Biggest misconception?

That parks are just for leisure. In truth, they’re critical infrastructure—the lungs, kidneys, and immune system of our city.

The Path Forward

As Buckhead prepares to break ground on HUB404, the 9-acre park bridge over GA-400, the district stands at a crossroads. Will it continue investing in green infrastructure as essential civic architecture?

The evidence suggests it must. Office workers taking walking meetings along PATH400, students testing water quality in Tanyard Creek, and seniors improving their health in Chastain Park all tell the same story: Buckhead’s future isn’t just growing taller it’s growing smarter, healthier, and more sustainable.

Dr. Kapoor leaves us with a provocative thought: “When historians look back, they won’t measure Buckhead’s success by its square footage of office space, but by its acres of accessible green space. On that metric, this community is just beginning to shine.”

As twilight falls over Chastain Park, the day’s final yoga class ends. Mats are rolled up, but the benefits linger in lowered blood pressures, strengthened community bonds, and a renewed commitment to the green spaces that make Buckhead not just prosperous, but truly livable.

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Norwood says she’s running for reelection in District 8 11 Apr 2025, 12:22 pm

District 8 Atlanta City Councilwoman Mary Norwood said one reason she’s running for reelection later this year is unfinished business regarding a variety of issues.

“We have a lot of important issues in Buckhead right now, now that I am very pleased with our administration,” she said in an interview April 9, the day she sent out a news release announcing her reelection plans. Qualifying is in August, and the election is Nov. 4.

Norwood is a veteran of the council, and her district includes part of Buckhead. She served as the Post 2 at-large council member from 2002-09 before running for mayor in 2009, losing by hundreds of votes to Kasim Reed. Norwood was then elected to the Post 2 slot in 2013 and served in that role through 2017, when she again ran for mayor, losing by hundreds of votes to Keisha Lance Bottoms. In 2021 she won the District 8 election.

Unfinished business

Norwood said the unfinished business includes issues regarding trees, zoning and road repair.

“We have the tree protection ordinance, and the discussions have gone on for several years,” she said of efforts to amend the ordinance. “I’m the only council person who has been involved in all three tree ordinance revisions, with the first in 2002 and the second one in 2013-14 and then this one that’s gone on for several years. I want to see this be adopted in whatever fashion we can get it adopted.”

Public safety is another issue important to Norwood.

“In the first part of this term was the public safety task force that was well attended and well produced,” she said. “We have a new precinct and a mayor who has been very thoughtful about keeping us safe. And that’s always been top of mind for me.”

Sewer system cleanup is another important issue for Norwood.

“I have a task force starting their work,” she said. “That task force has several commissioners from the mayor’s cabinet who will make sure we do the cleanup we need along Peachtree Creek and our major sewer plants. So I want to get reelected to make sure that plan is in place.”

Road repair and traffic are also critical issues for Norwood. 

“We need to get all of our streets in a state of repair,” she said. “But we have repaired over 20 streets in my district since I was elected four years ago. … We did not have the kind of maintenance for our roads that we needed over the last decade, and I’m pleased the mayor has addressed that. I have been in conversations with them about the next tranche. Traffic is a big issue, too. The transportation task force, we’re still awaiting the report from the consultant, which is six months behind.”

Norwood also said she plans to use funds she got from the 2021 bond for arts to cover two utilitarian pump stations at Atlanta Memorial Park with landscape photos showcasing the city’s parks.

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The Soundtrack of Summer: Chastain Park’s 2025 Lineup is Here 8 Apr 2025, 1:09 pm

Okay, Buckhead neighbors, get ready! The warmer evenings are rolling in, and that means another season of incredible music under the stars is just around the corner at our very own iconic neighborhood venue, the Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park. Whether you’re a long-time local who cherishes those Chastain nights or new to the area, experiencing a show here is a quintessential Atlanta experience.

A Legendary Stage in Our Backyard

Nestled within the beautiful Chastain Park since 1944, the Amphitheater isn’t just any outdoor venue; it’s a piece of Atlanta history that has hosted an unbelievable roster of talent. Over the decades, legends like Ray Charles, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Janet Jackson, Paul Simon, and countless others have graced its stage, making it a truly special place to see live music.

The 2025 Concert Season Lineup

Here is the current schedule for the 2025 season at the Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park in Atlanta, Georgia:

• April 25, 2025 (Friday): Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas – 7:30 PM
• May 10, 2025 (Saturday): Wilco with special guest Waxahatchee – 7:30 PM
• June 3, 2025 (Tuesday): Barenaked Ladies – 7:00 PM
• June 7, 2025 (Saturday): Simple Minds: Alive & Kicking Tour 2025 – 7:00 PM
• June 15, 2025 (Sunday): Brand New – 8:00 PM
• June 20, 2025 (Friday): Peach Pit & Briston Maroney: Long Hair, Long Life Tour – 7:30 PM
• June 29, 2025 (Sunday): HAUSER – 8:00 PM
• July 22, 2025 (Tuesday): GOO GOO DOLLS with DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL – Summer Anthem Tour 2025 – 7:30 PM
• July 25, 2025 (Friday): PRIMUS – Onward and Upward Summer Tour 2025 – 8:00 PM
• July 27, 2025 (Sunday): Lord Huron – 8:00 PM
• August 9, 2025 (Saturday): Blackberry Smoke, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs – 6:30 PM
• August 12, 2025 (Tuesday): Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour – 8:00 PM
• August 13, 2025 (Wednesday): Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour – 8:00 PM
• August 31, 2025 (Sunday): The Australian Pink Floyd Show – 8:00 PM
• September 6, 2025 (Saturday): James Taylor & His All Star Band – 7:30 PM
• September 26, 2025 (Friday): Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge: Yes We Are Tour – 7:30 PM
• October 24, 2025 (Friday): John Legend: Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour – 8:00 PM

Please note that this schedule is subject to change, and it’s always a good idea to check the official venue website or ticketing platforms for the most up-to-date information.

Dinner Before the Downbeat: Buckhead Bites

Part of the fun of a Chastain show is planning the whole evening! Luckily, Buckhead offers fantastic dining options just minutes away. Here are a few recommendations to get your night started right:

1. For Upscale & Impressive: If you’re looking to impress or celebrate a special occasion before the show, consider Aria. Known for its sophisticated atmosphere and exquisite contemporary American cuisine, it’s a guaranteed winner. Reservations are essential. Another top-tier choice is Umi for stunning sushi and Japanese dishes in a chic setting – book well in advance!
2. For Vibrant & Trendy: Craving Spanish flavors? The Iberian Pig offers incredible tapas, charcuterie, and a lively bar scene perfect for getting into the concert mood. Similarly, Gypsy Kitchen, in the Buckhead Village District, provides delicious shareable plates with Spanish and Moroccan influences and great rooftop views.
3. For Classic American & Reliable: Naturally, you have The Chastain restaurant in the park just steps from the venue! It serves delicious, locally-sourced American cuisine in a charming, beautifully restored building – practically made for a perfect, convenient pre-show meal. You also can rarely go wrong with Houston’s; it’s a Buckhead staple known for its consistent quality, bustling atmosphere, and classic American fare like great salads, burgers, and entrees (expect a wait or arrive early).

Keep the Music Playing: Post-Show Sips

Not ready for the night to end after the final encore? Buckhead has plenty of spots to grab a nightcap and discuss the show:

1. Sophisticated Cocktails: Head to The Regent Cocktail Club, located above American Cut steakhouse. It offers expertly crafted classic cocktails in a stylish, dimly lit setting.
2. Elegant Lounging: The St. Regis Bar at the St. Regis Atlanta provides a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere for a refined post-show drink and conversation.
3. Legendary Fun: If you’re feeling adventurous and want a completely different vibe, the iconic Johnny’s Hideaway is just a short drive away. Expect retro tunes, dancing, and a crowd ready to party late into the night.

Get ready for another unforgettable season at Chastain! Check the concert calendar, plan your perfect pre-show dinner, and maybe we’ll see you grabbing a post-show drink nearby. Here’s to magical musical nights in Buckhead!

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Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza expands into Sandy Springs, Buckhead 8 Apr 2025, 12:45 pm

The local leaders of Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, a chain of pizza restaurants, said they’re bringing the unique eatery to Buckhead and Sandy Springs to introduce residents to its “revolutionary” pies.

“Mister O1 is a revolutionary pizzeria founded by internationally acclaimed chef Renato Viola, whose extraordinary talent earned him an O1 Visa for artistic ability,” Miguel Blatt and Daniel Scala, who along with Brandon Weitz are Mister O1’s Georgia partners, said in an email. “With a commitment to quality and consistency, Mister O1 crafts artisanal, thin-crust pizzas using premium ingredients—imported from Italy or locally sourced—and a signature 72-hour dough fermentation process. The result is a light, flavorful, and truly extraordinary pizza experience.”

Mister O1 opened its first Georgia location in Sandy Springs, in the former General Muir space, on March 11. It will open its second location on Lenox Road in Buckhead in early June. Based in Miami, Mister O1 will have 29 locations nationwide once the Buckhead restaurant opens, with most in Florida but some in Texas. It was included in Michelin’s “Recommended” Miami restaurants list in 2022.

More to come

Blatt and Scala said they plan to open more metro Atlanta locations in middle to late 2025.

“Mister O1’s expansion into Atlanta’s Sandy Springs and Buckhead was driven by a mix of strategic growth, community appeal, and a passion for bringing our unique pizza experience to new audiences,” they said. “Atlanta’s vibrant food scene, strong sense of community, and appreciation for high-quality, artisanal cuisine made it a natural next step for us.”

Blatt and Scala added that they chose Georgia and metro Atlanta because of its recent growth, which has attracted “a diverse and food-savvy population.”

Why Sandy Springs and Buckhead?

When asked why they chose Sandy Springs and Buckhead as their first Georgia locations, they said, “Sandy Springs is a thriving, family friendly community with a strong dining culture, making it the perfect place to establish a presence. Buckhead is known for its upscale lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, and appreciation for top-tier culinary experiences—an ideal match for our brand.”

Also, Blatt previously lived in Atlanta, and was excited to return to the city.

“Our move into Atlanta represents more than just expansion—it’s about sharing our passion for great pizza, artful craftsmanship, and a welcoming experience with new communities,” Blatt and Scala said. “We can’t wait to be a part of the Atlanta food scene and create a place where people come together over great food.”

Mister O1 offers pizza-cooking classes in its Miami and Dallas locations, and the Georgia partners said one of the new Atlanta locations will present those classes soon. Blatt and Scala said you can follow their social media channels to get details once they’re released.

For more information on Mister O1, visit www.mistero1.com.

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Allergies in Atlanta – A poem by Kate Susong 31 Mar 2025, 2:43 pm

Allergies in Atlanta

Loratadine, Azelastine,

Fluticasone, and Clemastine

Wage war against the yellow hoard

That settles like, well, pollen. Stored

All seasons round, the wave’s deployed

Against the populace that’s toyed

With lunch outside, or taking walks,

Or lingering for longer talks

Enchanted with the aching sight

Of fuchsia paired with chartreuse, right

Beside the virgin dogwood white,

Deceptive. Unsuspecting might

They wield, releasing armies light

As air – internally they fight.

While sneezing, itching through the plight,

The natives tell the neophytes,

“There’s hope. A hero will descend,

And watery eyes will have an end.

Endure – and watch the Spring mature

From inside ‘til we have the cure.

You’ll know the end has finally come

When dark green conquers celadon.

The Wind will toss the colors down

And dark clouds – not now cause for frown – 

Will lift your eyes in hope to see

The Rain that comes to set us free!

In yellow torrents, Spring will wash

In garish gutters. With panache,

The Summer Rain will rescue you –Until then, stay indoors –” ACHOO!!

Kate Susong writes comedic essays and short stories that can be found on her Substack at www.katesusong.com. She has English literature degrees from Princeton andColumbia and lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

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Kolter Urban buys Buckhead site for $38M to erect third condo building 26 Mar 2025, 9:49 pm

The developer of two recently completed Buckhead condo buildings has plans for a third.

Kolter Urban, a Delray Beach, Florida-based developer of luxury single-family homes, on March 25 closed on a 4.7-acre site at 102 W. Paces Ferry Road for $38 million. The company plans to build Elyse Buckhead, a 20-floor luxury condo development, according to an email from a Kolter Urban spokesperson.

Since 2022, Kolter Urban has already built the Dillon Buckhead and the Graydon Buckhead, two luxury condo developments. 

Regarding the Elyse Buckhead, Reid Haley with Hailey Realty Co. was the transactional broker on the deal. In her email, the spokesperson also said Kolter Urban plans to utilize 2.7 acres of the property to build Elyse Buckhead, which will have 196 homes with one- to three-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,200 to over 4,000 square feet.

The current tenants of the 102 W. Paces development, a shopping center, include Penley, artist Steve Penley’s gallery, and Drybar, a hair salon.

A mixed-use project on the site was planned to move forward in 2022, including a hotel, an apartment tower and an office/retail building, but the project never came to fruition.

A Kolter Urban representative was not available for an interview Wednesday regarding the Elyse Buckhead, but granted one for later this week. So, check back with buckhead.com for an update to this article.

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Local Art Dealer & Designer Bridge the Gap: Showcasing Modern Art in Traditional Spaces  19 Mar 2025, 2:22 pm

One might expect contemporary art to be hanging in an austere white box gallery. For broker and art advisor Courtney Bombeck, however, that simply wouldn’t do. When creating her post-war contemporary art gallery Co-Op Art, she chose an unusual place to showcase her gallery—her traditional Buckhead home.

While the bones of her home are French Colonial, the interior design is a celebration of contemporary art, bursting at the seams with color, form, and personality by interior designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis. Bombeck was intentional in showcasing contemporary art in situ against the traditional architecture of her home. “People in Atlanta need to see art in context,” Bombeck says.

Paying attention to the nuances of her clientele has helped Bombeck become a successful gallerist. “I specialize in helping nascent collectors build a collection by introducing them to regional works by notable artists,” she says. She guides clients through the international art stage’s fairs, auctions, and notable galleries. Bombeck also works with artists such as Bojana Ginn, Michi Meko, Jodi Hays, and Vadis Turner across several mediums, helping these regional artists navigate their next steps towards an international presence.

The French Colonial home was originally built in the late 80s. “It was very traditional when we bought it—it looked like a set from Dynasty—but it had great bones,” says Bombeck. To redo the space, she called on Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis. Bombeck saw Davis’ home in The New York Times and knew they’d be kindred design spirits; the two had a further connection when they found out their husbands worked together. She liked the way Davis considered art and how she thought through the details. “I’m great at grand ideas; I’m less great at bringing them to fruition,” she quips.

Tension Over Time

Davis’ challenge was to create spaces that could accommodate Bombeck’s ever-changing art. “The house is a laboratory,” she says. Bombeck had already done much of the heavy lifting, scraping the home of dated decorative features. Next, the two decided to stay with a neutral palette to highlight the art and give it room to breathe.

One exception was the family room. “The family room was a dark wood paneled room originally, but it was more Courtney’s language to have it lacquered in blue,” explains Davis. “We wanted to make it feel airy and Parisian. When you’re in a beautiful home in Paris, it always has traditional details but with great foils in modern art, furnishings, and millwork,” she says. Another example of this tension is in the Poliform modern kitchen, juxtaposed against a traditional layout. “When you let go of the idea that things need to match, it makes it feel more layered and curated,” says Davis.

The Art of It

Bombeck says her home gallery works to inspire her clients because every object has a story and, with Davis’ editing help, her story feels cool and unique yet still attainable. “Coming through here is a confidence booster,” Bombeck says. “People walk away thinking, ‘OK, I could do that in my way.’”

Many clients and potential clients come through and see her art and then quickly say they need to call their designers first for approval. She says the answer to that is a resounding no. “I tell them I can give them context on what the art is so that they know what they are spending their money on, but it’s their art they will be living with, so they should have a feeling about it. It’s not the designer’s house; it’s yours. I’m helping people build confidence to start collecting and trusting their eye,” she says.

Changing Atlantans’ mentalities around art is a major goal for Bombeck, who coaches her clients on reframing how to think about art: not as a decorative filler, but as true conversation pieces. “A true art collector would never buy something thinking it needs to go somewhere specific,” she says.

Both agree that designers should be partners in the process, not the end-all-be-all, especially if a homeowner wants to create an elevated look rich in layers. “A good designer can work around any piece of art,” says Bombeck. Davis achieved that in Bombeck’s home, and both are satisfied with the results. “Courtney’s home is warm and comfortable, and goes against the idea that modern art needs to live in a white box space with neutral furnishings that disappear,” she says.

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Trees Atlanta: Feeback deadline coming on city’s tree protection ordinance 26 Feb 2025, 8:05 pm

Hey, residents of Buckhead and elsewhere in the city of Atlanta: now is the time to provide your opinion on the city’s tree protection ordinance as officials draft an update to it.

That was the message Tuesday from Trees Atlanta in its report at the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods virtual meeting titled “Lunch and Learn: What’s Proposed for Atlanta’s New Tree Protection Ordinance?”

According to the city’s website, the Atlanta tree protection ordinance was to be updated in 2021. But after it failed to get support, the Department of City Planning opted to take an incremental stance on revising the ordinance.

The first phase of updates was approved in December 2022 and took effect in April 2023. The second phase is being drafted now, and is expected to be passed in April. 

“We’re doing this not [just] because trees are beautiful but because trees are critical to all manners of infrastructure,” said Judy Yi, Trees Atlanta’s director of marketing and outreach. “However, we’re losing trees at an alarming rate. The number of trees for removal has doubled in the last four years.”

Atlanta’s tree canopy

Yi was one of three Trees Atlanta employees to speak at the meeting. Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit that defends and improves the city’s urban forest by planting, conserving, and educating.

The city council wants to have a new draft of the ordinance by April 1. The public comment period is Jan. 30 to mid-March. Phase 2 is addressing more issues that developers and tree advocates disagree on.

“What we’re seeing is the tree protection ordinance is really addressing the removal of trees from developments,” Yi said. “[Atlanta is] leading the [metro area] in the number of approved building permits. So we need an ordinance that can protect trees as a natural resource. … We want to protect the natural infrastructure while allowing development to move forward.”

Regarding climate change, she said there’s an urban heat island effect that happens when there are less trees and greenspace. This allows the heat to cause problems such as record high temperatures and people getting heat-related illnesses. She said the areas of the highest urban heat island hotspots are the regions where there are the fewest trees.

The city’s tree canopy loss, according to recent urban tree canopy assessments, was 47.9% in 2008, 47.1% in 2014, 46.5% in 2018, 45% in 2023, and unknown this year.

Yi called Phase 1 “low-hanging fruit” because it had items everyone wanted. They included: planting specifications (soil area and soil volume, spacing of trees), species diversity requirements, tree protection during construction (chain link fencing for front yard), parking lot requirements (16 spaces or more), survival or replanting of replacement trees for the life of a commercial property, removal of invasive vine species required to be counted as saved, site selection for public projects require early review by the city arborists, and a provision of $200,000 to assist with removal of dead, dying or hazardous trees.

Phase 2 requests

The Phase 2 updates will include recompense, tree preservation and density, affordable housing, and the tree trust fund, all key issues that still remain with the ordinance, Yi said.

“Overall, the concepts were addressed, but once we received the final document in January from a neighborhood planning unit, this is where we landed,” she said. “We asked for five changes to the earlier draft. Some made it in the earlier draft and some did not.”

First, the recompense was to be set to $260 per inch. The city got an A- grade for that part. The $260 value was assessed using 2019 costs.

Tree preservation standard and tree density requirements on single-family residential got a B from Trees Atlanta. The organization said this portion is missing a preservation standard for commercial properties, including multi-unit residential properties.

Trees Atlanta gave the city an F for the tree trust fund portion. “We think there are some easy changes to improve it to a C or B, but the changes currently are not preferential to the city,” Yi said. “It could represent an additional $1 million to $1.5 million on staffing alone.”

Trees Atlanta says public trees should be treated the same as private ones in terms of use and fees (the offset format).

Trees Atlanta gave the city an F for the fact that public removal can be “offset” by activities other than planting or payment. Its analysis includes four issues that are missing from the ordinance.

“With the ‘offset,’ we lose parkland but we can’t buy more land,” Trees Atlanta Executive Director Greg Levine said.

The organization gave the city a D grade for the 50% and 100% recompense waivers for affordable housing developments. Its analysis includes three issues still missing from the ordinance.

Trees Atlanta gave the city a C grade for the close gaps in tree protection. This section addresses how the new ordinance doesn’t allow for some of the rules that were in the previous ordinance.

How to submit comments

Following the presentation, there was a Q&A in which attendees could type in their questions via the Zoom comments section. However, because the presentation ran a bit long and the meeting was limited to an hour, not all questions were answered then. In a phone interview Wednesday, Levine answered buckhead.com’s question about Buckhead’s tree canopy.

“Buckhead has a higher tree canopy than the overall canopy for Atlanta, but it’s also losing trees at a very rapid rate,” he said. “Through canopy assessments, we know that Buckhead is also amongst the neighborhoods with the highest rate of canopy loss due to large single-family lots being subdivided and/or becoming subdivisions. Many creeks in Buckhead are overflowing their banks, flooding the neighborhoods as a result of the canopy loss and an increase in impervious surfaces caused by development. Buckhead does have a lower amount of parks than the rest of the city, along with the southwest.”

“Also, subdividing larger properties is one of the challenges we’re seeing in Buckhead.”

Levine mentioned a 30-acre property that was owned by Lucinda Bunnen, a photographic artist who died in 2022, could be transformed into a park once the city acquires it. At the Feb. 13 council of neighborhoods meeting, Justin Cutler, commissioner of the Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department, said the city and its public and private partners have raised $10.5 million so far and hope to close on the land in September.

Regarding Phase 2 of the ordinance, residents can submit their opinions on the ordinance by emailing treeordinance@atlantaga.gov, an email address included on the city’s website. Trees Atlanta also recommended resident contact David Zaparanick of the city’s arborist division (dzaparanic@atlantaga.gov and 404-865-8489), Keyetta Holmes, office of the zoning director (kmholmes@atlantaga.gov, 404-330-6145), Department of City Planning Commissioner Jahnee Prince (contact Nicole Jenkins at snjenkins@atlantaga.gov or 404-330-6037), Department of City Planning Deputy Commissioner Janide Sidfall (contact Kina Laster at klaster@atlantaga.gov or 404-546-1965) or the city council (citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/).

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10 Years in, and Buckhead.com is better than ever! 24 Feb 2025, 7:36 pm

Ten years ago, just as I was getting Buckhead.com established as a community news source, I decided that we needed to create a compelling brand for the Buckhead community. I enlisted the talents of renowned brand designer, Terry Slaughter. Terry’s reputation for place-making was stellar, with his work including the Alys Beach brand and the ubiquitous “30A” bumper sticker.

Terry and I spent hours immersed in conversations about the community and my vision for Buckhead.com. His enthusiasm for the project was evident, and after these discussions, he returned to his Birmingham office to begin his work. A few months later, he returned and unveiled the Buckhead brand. The design perfectly captured the essence of Buckhead: a simple “BH” crest within a shield, subtly incorporating the hint of the buck’s head that adorned Irby’s Tavern in the late 1800’s, the original source of our community’s name.

This crest became the brandmark for both Buckhead.com and later, The Buckhead Paper. We distributed a limited number of window stickers in those early days, but we have now included a complimentary Buckhead window sticker in each of the 49,000 printed copies of The Buckhead Paper! Show your pride in our community by displaying it on your car or anywhere else you choose. Every time you see it, be reminded of the elegant mantra Terry penned about the spirit of Buckhead:

The spirit of Buckhead points in one direction. It is an undeniable truth. The spirit of Buckhead has always pointed forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. You see it in the way we nurture our children, and you see it in the way we nurture our gardens. You see it in the way we care for our homes, and you see it in the way we care for our schools. The quest is always pointing forward. Whether it’s our businesses, the arts, or the entertainment, the bar is always rising higher. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy. This is Buckhead. We are a community, but we are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, we are discerning, we are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction.
Forward.
With excellence.
Grace.
Beauty.
Compassion.
One dream.
One goal.
One quest.
Heading forward.
Always.

Terry Slaughter

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A new ‘Park within the park’: Chastain plans to spend $9.8M to activate 40 forgotten acres 19 Feb 2025, 10:46 pm

The Chastain Park Conservancy has plans to transform 40 acres of unused land in the heart of the park into usable greenspace. $5 million in donations has already been raised to fund the effort that will create new usable park space that is larger in size than the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

The conservancy, a nonprofit whose mission is to maintain and improve the Buckhead park, intends to spend $9.8 million to turn the Palisades part of the park into a usable greenspace. Since the park’s opening in 1940, it has been a passive portion with no accessibility for human beings. At 268 acres, Chastain is one of the city’s largest parks.

According to plans provided to Buckhead.com by the conservancy, Chastain has 60 acres of unsightly, inaccessible land that can be transformed into greenspace. Initially, the conservancy will transform 40 acres of its Palisades area into greenspace. The “Palisades” area to be developed is near the center of the park and is situated on a high bluff above Nancy Creek. Another 20 acres on the northern tip of the park is being called the Northwoods, and is on the table for additional passive greenspace.

According to information provided by the conservancy, the Palisades project is part of a new capital campaign that will cost a total of $12.5 million, and $5 million has been raised thus far. $3 million of the current total came from a single donor. Conservancy President and CEO Rosa McHugh said the rest of the campaign funds will be spent on pedestrian safety initiatives throughout the park.

Of Palisades, she said, “For me personally, what’s really attractive about the project is Chastain Park is an amazing 268-acre park, but there’s no real park within the park. This project will bring in 40 acres of greenspace to the park.”

She added that the park’s current setup means most of the land is programmed by sports such as golf, tennis, swimming, baseball, softball, and basketball.

Palisades Project history

The Palisades project has been on the conservancy’s to-do project list since it was included in the 2008 master plan.

“It was approved by the [Atlanta] City Council and served as a vision plan for all the projects throughout the park,” McHugh said. “The Palisades comes out of that plan, and it was reintroduced as we worked on the update of that plan. We had a table for phasing of these projects, and that one remained as the first one to complete.”

The conservancy’s previous capital campaign, which collected $5.2 million, launched in 2014 and ended in 2016, paid for Play Chastain, a new playground, and Walk Chastain, new pedestrian trails. McHugh calls Palisades “a game changer.”

“This will give people an ability to throw a Frisbee, meet a friend, or have a picnic,” she said. “We did a density study and showed that density continues to increase, and there’s some kudzu in there. It’s not a healthy environment in there, so what this will allow us to do is create a more natural environment and allow the community to use it.”

Project details

J.P. Matzigkeit, a conservancy co-founder and member of its comprehensive plan committee, said Palisades will be similar in size to the Blue Heron Nature Preserve nearby and the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown, which each are 30 acres.

“If you look at the size of the project of the Palisades, it is to reclaim [40] acres of land from kudzu and turn it into park space,” he said. “… But [40] acres is a lot of land and the opportunity to add that land as park space is an incredible opportunity. Think about what [40] acres of contiguous land would cost. We’re opening up $50 million of land where people can enjoy it and use it as intended, as park land. The Palisades project is an opportunity to get park land.”

Palisades will include three community greens totaling +/- 3 acres, a one-plus-mile stretch of soft trails, a bridge over Nancy Creek, and stream bank and wildlife habitat restoration. In the future, a 20,000-square-foot event space is expected to be added to host community events such as weddings and educational programs.

“There are three fields; the main one would be an open field,” McHugh said. “… The second one is smaller, and we would like it to have some natural play, such as undulating hills where kids can play. The upper one will be a model site for native planting. We hope to have trails throughout that greenspace.”

She said she’s given several tours of the Palisades area, and participants often say, “Why hasn’t anyone done anything about that yet?”

For the many residents and visitors who gather and recreate in Buckhead’s largest greenspace, there is more good news in the works. The conservancy is placing the final touches on a new 20-year master-plan that has even more improvements. Stay tuned to Buckhead.com to learn more as the details become available.

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