On March 8th, 2017, Park Pride was honored and humbled to accept the Fulcrum Award from Southface Energy Institute for the Proctor Creek North Avenue Watershed Basin Green Infrastructure Vision (PNA Study for short) on behalf of all our project partners.
The study’s goal was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Proctor Creek Watershed Basin on Atlanta’s Westside and propose a series of greenspace improvements and new parks that would provide relief for the combined sewer system that often overflowed into the neighborhood streets, in addition to bringing more parks to this under-parked community.
The PNA Study, completed in 2010:
- proposed new parks, greenspaces and greenways by reclaiming abandoned/derelict (and low lying) properties;
- provides cleaner surface and ground water and reduces flooding through the incorporation of green infrastructure in parks and green streets; and
- provides workforce training opportunities and more.
All of these revitalization efforts have positive implications not only for the families that live within the bounds of the Proctor Creek Watershed, but for business development and jobs for neighborhood residents as well.
Our amazing project partners for both the PNA Study and the effort to bring it to fruition include: West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Metropolitan Atlanta Urban Watershed Institute (MAUWI), Community Improvement Association (CIA), The Conservation Fund, ECO-Action, American Rivers, Eberly & Associates, Perkins+Will, The City of Atlanta, and of course the communities within the Proctor Creek Watershed.
Since the PNA Study was completed, Lindsay Street Park has been built and green infrastructure has been added to Vine City Park.
“It gives us hope that now kids have a safe place to play.” ~Pat Cambell, English Avenue Resident
Additionally, Boone Park West and Cook Park, both identified as potential parks in the PNA Study, are getting closer to construction every day! The PNA Study is coming to life, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the communities that will benefit from the stormwater management provided by these greenspaces.
Thank you, Southface, for this great honor and recognition of the great partnerships that have made this work possible!
