A big "Green Volunteer Shout Out" goes to Holy Innocents' Episcopal School (HIES) Students have who assisted with multiple projects this spring.  In March, over a hundred students assisted with park clean up during the HIES day of service.  The group worked clearing trails and cleaning the amphitheatre.

Please act to save Atlanta's Parks!  According to information provided by Park Pride, the Atlanta Mayor's proposed FY2014 budget calls for nearly a $3 million budget reduction to the parks and recreation department.  The Atlanta City Council meets Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 6:00 PM and they need to hear from you.  Please come to the Public Hearing and Virtual Town Hall Meeting at the Atlanta City Council Chambers located at 55 Trinity Avenue SW, wear green shirts and show your support for our parks!

Blondie, a three-year-old female Labrador retriever, loves her walks in Chastain Park. She insists that her owner park in the Red lot (the big one near the covered horse ring) and that he stuff at least one doggie bag into his pocket. She wants to insure her visit doesn't gobble up scarce parking on Wieuca Drive, and she doesn't want to leave any messes behind. Accidents happen!

Blondie greets the artists setting up on Park Drive for the spring arts festival. She wags her tail when she sees plans for the new playground. She tugs on her leash, wishing she could run in the grass of the verdant NYO outfields, but she knows dogs are not allowed. She notes the freshly planted tree on the golf course (put there by the Conservancy) where the PATH begins its ascent to the Legion Hall that always seems to snap to attention when anyone passes by. She looks back nervously at the cars whizzing past on Powers Ferry Road and hopes the sidewalk will be widened soon. Golfers chase little white balls, but she pays them no mind. It's the yellow tennis balls that sail back and forth over nets at the new tennis center that catch her attention. The swimming pool, due to open this weekend, looks so inviting, especially to a dog bred for the water. And she wishes the kids at Galloway or Sutton Middle School would leave their classrooms to play with her.

Cool off at Chastain Pool this summer!  The pool opens this Saturday, May 11th.  Memberships are available and include members only time at the pool each evening after 5:00 PM, reduced price for swim team, cookouts, fellowship Family Friday Nights from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

Join us in congratulating our new Executive Director, Rosa McHugh!  Although new to the position, Rosa has been involved with the Chastain Park Conservancy since 2009 when she began volunteering on the special events committee.  She chaired the CPC major fundraiser, "On a Green Night," for two consecutive years raising record amounts.  Rosa officially joined the CPC team as Director of Development in 2012 and most recently served as Interim Executive Director since January.

The Chastain Park TriPATHlon, scheduled for Sunday, May 5th at 7:30 AM, will take place rain or shine.  However, the event will be postponed in case of lightning.  Stay tuned for updates here or the Chastain Park Conservancy facebook page.

Representatives from the CPC and the Natural Learning Initiative will present the Play Chastain design concept to the community on Thursday, May 16th at 6:30 PM.  The event will take place in the Galloway School auditorium.  Please join us to view the design plans, learn more about the project and provide your feedback.

As part of our Play Chastain tree recompense, the Chastain Park Conservancy planted two willow oaks along Lake Forrest.  The willow trees were donated by Select Trees of Athens, Georgia and are located between the 15th fairway and the PATH.  Since the trees were fairly mature, they were moved with a hydro spade by JW Naftel of Southern Transplanting Inc.

Not only is the Barn the CPC headquarters, it is also home to Chuck (our goat), Johnson (our cat) and three bee hives!  The bee hives, our latest addition, are owned and maintained by three members of the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association.  Hive owners Julia Mahood, Linda Tillman and Noah Macey tend to the hives and use them to educate beekeepers and the public about honeybees. 

Party patrons at the 3rd Annual Gourmet Food and Wine Event enjoyed an evening of fun with friends, sipping fine wines and bidding on auction items.  Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about the Walk Chastain project and view the preliminary design concepts for the widening of the Powers Ferry path.  Proceeds raised from the event benefit the CPC and the Walk Chastain project.