Livable Buckhead Wins Community Design Award for Cultural, Health and Wellness Programs
Atlanta Urban Design Commission recognizes nonprofit organization’s innovative work to promote and support art, greenspace and active commute options
ATLANTA – June 26, 2023 – On Friday, June 23, Livable Buckhead received a Community Design Award from the City of Atlanta’s Urban Design Commission as part of its annual program to highlight projects and programs that make the city a better place to live. Livable Buckhead was honored for its innovative work to support and promote active commute options, expand greenspace and enrich cultural life in Buckhead.
Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that improves Buckhead’s sustainability and quality of life for residents, workers and visitors. Each year, thousands of people take part in Livable Buckhead programs that encourage physical activity, reduce traffic and promote community connection.
“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the Atlanta Urban Design Commission,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead. “Every day, Livable Buckhead aims to make our community a better place to live, work and play, and we are thrilled to be recognized for that work.”
The organization’s annual walk challenge, buckheadWALKS!, recently finished with more than 350 participants walking nearly 47,000 miles. Encouraging citizens to walk short-distance errands, buckheadWALKS! promotes health benefits by reducing air pollution and supporting fitness. Similarly, the buckheadRUN!, Livable Buckhead’s annual family and pet-friendly 5K, encourages community activity on the PATH400 trail, a major community amenity that the nonprofit spearheaded to create much-needed walking and biking options.
In addition to these annual events, Livable Buckhead hosts the bi-monthly Miami Circle Gallery Stroll, an annual Biketober challenge to encourage bike commuting, as well as the holiday season’s Hot Chocolate Crawl and Miracle on Peachtree festivities. These and many other Livable Buckhead programs and events promote a sense of community while encouraging physical activity, reducing traffic and promoting sustainability.
To learn more about Livable Buckhead programs and events, visit livablebuckhead.org.
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About Livable Buckhead
Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community. The organization achieves its mission by working cooperatively with individuals, public entities and private businesses to integrate sustainable strategies. Livable Buckhead implements programs related to greenspace, recycling, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, arts and culture, real estate development and land use. For more information about Livable Buckhead and its programs, visit livablebuckhead.org.
ead’s annual, four-week walk challenge. Coworkers, friends, families and neighbors competed for prizes by walking and participating in weekly fitness and community activities, racking up enough miles to walk from Atlanta to Los Angeles and back 12 times.
“We were thrilled to have more than 50 corporate and neighborhood teams join buckheadWALKS!,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead. “Every year this challenge gives people a chance to kickstart their personal fitness while having fun with neighbors and co-workers. I think that’s why we have so many enthusiastic participants return year after year. Congratulations to all of our prize winners!”
- Team Champion: On Partners
- Neighborhood Champion: Ridgedale Park
- 1st Place Individual: Samantha Quick
- 2nd Place Individual: Freya Finbow
- 3rd Place Individual: Roy Harris
In addition to earning points by walking, participants earned bonus points for participating in activities such as the buckheadRUN! 5K, a weekly scavenger hunt and group tours of PATH400 and other Buckhead sites. Participants also earned bonus points for taking a ride on the Buc, Buckhead’s on-demand shuttle service.
More than 220 people and 25 dogs participated in buckheadRUN!, which kicked off the walk challenge on April 29 and was also part of the Bodacious Blooms festival at Buckhead Village District. The overall winners of buckheadRUN! were Mar A Fernanda Martinez De La Rosa and Michael Smith. Full race results are available online.
buckheadWALKS! is sponsored by Sweetgreen, Coro Realty, Brighter Investing, Vacation Express, Road Runner Sports, Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta and Wellable. buckheadRUN! is sponsored by Buckhead Village, Simon/Lenox Square, Sweetgreen, Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta, Road Runner Sports, Yelp, Lululemon, Atlanta International School, Beck Architecture and NetWise.
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About Livable Buckhead
Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community. The organization achieves its mission by working cooperatively with individuals, public entities and private businesses to integrate sustainable strategies. Livable Buckhead implements programs related to greenspace, recycling, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, arts and culture, real estate development and land use. For more information about Livable Buckhead and its programs, visit livablebuckhead.org.
