Loridans Greenspace Begins to Take Shape

Visioning plan complete; Survey of historic cemetery identifies up to 60 gravesites

ATLANTA – April 10, 2019 – In recent weeks, a five-acre site in north Buckhead has taken big strides toward becoming the next thriving park along PATH400. A community-led visioning process has concluded, an archaeological survey of a historic cemetery on the site is complete, and volunteers at three workdays last week began to clear the site of debris and invasive plants.

Loridans greenspace, near Loridans Dr. and GA 400, is the northernmost Atlanta feature along the PATH400 multi-use trail before it crosses into Sandy Springs. As the former home of D.F. McClatchey Elementary School and the site of the Lowery-Stevens Cemetery, Loridans greenspace offers a unique opportunity to uncover a piece of local history and bring it to life within the community.

“We’ve always been excited about the possibilities of this greenspace, and with the vision plan in place we can move forward to realize some of that potential,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead. “It’s been a hidden gem, but soon it will be a jewel for the neighborhood and everyone on PATH400 to enjoy. We’re grateful to Park Pride for lending their visioning expertise and to all of the community members who worked tirelessly on this project.”

The site’s unique character is embraced in the final vision plan, which proposes improvements that will increase pedestrian safety and access, preserve and enhance a healthy tree canopy, and provide opportunities for passive enjoyment, while rehabilitating and interpreting the historic cemetery. Proposed projects include an entry plaza with a shade structure, a lawn with art or a play structure, nature trails, and more. Park Pride and a volunteer steering committee of dedicated neighborhood leaders and nearby residents, along with representatives from North Buckhead Civic Association, Livable Buckhead, and Buckhead Heritage Society led the community in a seven-month process to develop the plan.

“Park Pride’s Visioning Program gives community members a seat at the table in determining what their neighborhood greenspace will look like,” stated Andrew White, Park Pride’s Director of Park Visioning. “Neighbors and stakeholders were committed to enhancing the integrity of the historic cemetery on the site, as well as supporting a healthy tree canopy that would give them access to the benefits of a natural setting.”

Implementation is already underway, beginning with an archaeological survey of the Lowery-Stevens cemetery, a nineteenth- to early twentieth-century burial ground serving former rural communities in the area. Livable Buckhead hired New South Associates to conduct the survey, which identified 60 potential gravesites – at least double the number previously believed to be there. Subsequent work by Valentino & Associates documented the locations of the gravesites so they can be preserved.

At the end of March, community volunteers began investing sweat equity in the park by collecting trash and debris and beginning to remove invasive species. Livable Buckhead and the North Buckhead Civic Association will partner on future volunteer workdays. Anyone interested in participating should contact Livable Buckhead for more information.

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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.

About Park Pride

In 2019, Park Pride celebrates 30 years of engaging communities to activate the power of parks! Working with over 150 local Friends of the Park groups, Park Pride provides leadership, services, and funding to help communities realize their dreams for neighborhood parks that support healthy people, strong neighborhoods, vibrant business districts, a robust economy and a healthy environment. Park Pride is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the public about the benefits of parks, and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace Conference. Learn more about Park Pride at parkpride.org.