2020 Annual Report

Toby Brooks, PresidentWeslee Knapp, VP

Robin Chalmers, TreasurerKate Seville, Secretary

— EMERITI DIRECTORS — George Ickes, Emertus DirectorTally Sweat, President Emerita

— EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — Sandra Kruger

OLPA 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Allie BrownJustin Critz

Jenny FletcherRyan GrahamBeth GrashofCarolyn Hall

Dick HennemanDave McCauley

Jennie RichardsonSydney Thompson

Janice Whitener

Carol Sleeth, NPU-NJohn Giegerich, DHCA

— OFFICERS —

— GENERAL DIRECTORS —

— APPOINTED DIRECTORS —

— EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS —

— ADVISORY DIRECTORS —

Commissioner John Dargle, Jr. - City of Atlanta Director Chuck Ellis - DeKalb County

Council Member Jennifer Ide - City of AtlantaCommissioner Jeff Rader - DeKalb County

Jennifer Grant Warner - Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Brian BowenFrancis Finegan

William L. (Billy) Hall Laura HardyAmy HowellChris Kelly

Lynn KerpelBob Kerr

Stacey KeyAneli Nutgeren

Elena ParentJulie RalstonMary ReillySally Sears

Gloria SeymourAlida Silverman

Jim WaitsGale Walldorff

Connie Weimar

To the OLPA Community:

Warm greetings to you all and best wishes for a better year that restores the patterns of life we’ve missed over the past 12 months.

Despite the restrictions on our lives, perhaps we can take some comfort in the stability of the natural cycle in Olmsted Linear Park. The trees are beginning to leaf out, plants and shrubs are revealing their spring flowers and the weather is warming. We are seeing reassuring signs that life is emerging from our long winter. I find myself particularly anticipating this spring, as other aspects of our lives have seemed so unmoored.

One disappointing note about February 2021 for Olmsted Linear Park Alliance (OLPA) is that we were not able to hold our annual gala at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. This is the first time in 16 years that we have not had the opportunity to host this neighborhood party in celebration of the park. While this is a critical fundraising event for OLPA, it is also an opportunity for our community to come together and renew friendships that build our sense of community.

The OLPA events committee is working on plans for some alternate events that will permit us to rekindle those friendships, while still respecting the public health restrictions. We are even looking into some limited form of an open-air gala event in the park this fall. Stay tuned.

The year 2020 was one of uncertainty. For OLPA, we were particularly concerned that we would have difficulty raising the required funds to support the park. I am pleased to share that, through the generosity of community donors, coupled with a special grant from DeKalb County, we were able to meet our fundraising goals. We are grateful that you who made the park a priority in 2020. In 2021, the Board will continue to work to expand our support base, but we expect to still be highly dependent on the generosity of good neighbors like you.

Looking ahead, 2022 will mark the 200th anniversary of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr’s birth. The National Association of Olmsted Parks is organizing an Olmsted 200 annual celebration, and OLPA will be a part of that locally, along with many other local organizations including the Druid Hills Civic Association. We are still working on specific plans, but we know already that Riverside, Illinois (Olmsted’s first designed community outside of Chicago) and Druid Hills (Olmsted’s last planned community) will collaborate on some form of recognition. If you would like to get involved in the planning of events for Olmsted 200, please reach out to Sandy Kruger or any OLPA board member. There will be a lot to do this year.

As many of you may be aware, there are some potentially significant developments proposed for properties that border the park this year. Along Shadyside, the old Pinebloom estate is under contract, with multiple townhomes proposed for this five-acre site. The developer will maintain the old mansion’s ground floor intact, but the church will be demolished to make room for new residential properties. Additionally, along Dellwood, the old Tamas properties have been purchased and the new owner proposes building several large residential structures on the two sites in addition to the houses that are there now. OLPA board members

are participating with the Landmark Historic District to try to encourage development of these properties that is sensitive to the original Olmsted design, scale and tree canopy. We encourage concerned neighbors to engage with DHCA so that your voices can be heard.

Again, thanks for your loyal support of this historic park, especially during these challenging times for all of us.

Sincerely,

Toby Brooks, President

2020 HighlightsOLPA was fortunate to have hosted our 16th Annual Party for the Parks on February 23 raising over $65,000 to continue the tree sustainability program, day-to-day maintenance needs and begin the playground assessment for renovation. We could not have achieved this success without your generous support.

The Picnic in the Park – To Go! event was a great success and everyone had fun with it. Picnic goers grabbed their OLPA swag bag, charcuterie box, and wine before heading to their favorite picnic destination. We want to give a huge shout out to Paula at Moveable Feast ATL and Herb at Decatur Package Store for helping us organize our event.

2020 Gala$65,000

2020 Annual Fund

$135,500

900 Volunteer Hours

Initially, when COVID-19 shut everything down, we ceased all volunteer work days. We quickly figured out ways to continue the invasive plant removal in Deepdene and finish mulching the landscaped beds in a socially-distanced manner with masks. All our park volunteers were delighted to begin working again. If nothing else, they were able to take out their frustrations on the English ivy and privet. Even under limited circumstances, our volunteers logged over 900 hours - whether they worked in the park, at the gala, on the board or a committee. This included nine Paideia students who volunteered over 250 hours of service mulching beds and pulling out non-native invasive plants. Wow!

OLPA Its Volunteers

OLPA Welcomes New Board MembersGeneral Board

Advisory Board

Niel Dawson Executive DirectorIndependent Electrical Contractors, Atlanta Chapter

Chris KellyCEOClearion Software

We extend our sincere appreciation to Robin Chalmers, Justin Critz, Beth Grashof and Kate Seville for many years of dedication and service on the OLPA Board. Justin will

continue his service on the Advisory Board.

Spencer TunnellFounder & OwnerTunnell & Tunnell Landscape Architecture

Kevin Steward COMPASS Team 360°ATL

Lynn Alexander Member of the OLPA Events Committee and former member of the DHCA Tour of Homes

Justin CritzAttorney

John GiegerichPartnerCEO Coaching International

Amy HowellSenior Counsel Chick-fil-A Corporate

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the multitude of stakeholders who continuously work on OLPA’s behalf. We appreciate their friendship and partnership in keeping the park clean and safe for our community. Their commitment and support to Olmsted Linear Park are critical to our mission.

Fernbank Museum of Natural HistoryCity of Atlanta Department of Parks and RecreationDeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs

DeKalb County Commissioner Jeff RaderCity of Atlanta Council Member Jennifer Ide

House Representative Becky EvansSenator Elena Parent

A special thank you to The Garden Club of Georgia. As a recipient of a historic

preservation grant from the Garden Club, OLPA

planted native dogwoods, azaleas and a variety of other

native plants along the walking trails in Deepdene this past

spring. We are so grateful for their support in preserving the

park’s historic beauty.

Legacy Gift Michelle Futral - DeepdeneWe want to express our appreciation for the gifts received in memory of Michelle Futral. To commemorate her life and love of the park, family, friends and colleagues donated a bench and a plaque in Deepdene this past year.

Thank you to our Olmsted Linear Park Donors!Annual Campaign Gifts received in 2020

Elliott AlbersSally Sears Belcher & Richard Belcher

Matthew & Natalie BernsteinBNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund

Krista Brewer & Gary FlackBriley Brisendine & Elena Parent

Martha & Toby BrooksCarol & Aubrey Bush

Robin Chalmers & Michael PurserAnn & Jeff CramerAnn & Frank Critz

Robin & Justin CritzKirk Elifson & Claire Sterk

Paul & Lynn FarnhamJenny Fletcher

The Garden Club of Georgia

David Goo & Susan DoyleBeth Grashof

Antoinette & Hardy GregoryBilly & Carolyn Hall

Richard Henneman & Janet FathDiana Hicks & Philip Enteles

Mary Ann HiteShirley & Bill HollbergAmy & Brian Howell

West & Polly HutchisonThe Imlay Foundation

Marguerite Colville IngramChristiana & Pete Jacxsens

Elizabeth Finn & Stuart JohnsonChristopher & Jenni Kelly

Robert Kerr & Linda Disantis

Spencer & Gail KingRich & Carrie Lassiter

Nanette H. LoftisBob & Becky Lough

David McCauley & Gary SiebertSandra Mendel

Mel & Ellen MooreSherry Neal & Daniel Wright

Fredric & Mary NewmanMartha & David Pacini

The Paideia SchoolMark & Kathryn PetraliaJoanna & Roger Quillen

Julie & Tim RalstonWendell & Mary Reilly

Katherine & Caral Seville

Gloria SeymourJonathan ShakespeareRoger & Joanna Stroud

Kathryn Lee TaylorRobert & Elizabeth Wagner

Jim WaitsGale Walldorff & Andy HallConnie & Walter Weimar

Suzanne WhiteJanice Whitener

John C. YatesPhil & Caroline Moise

Wayne & Jennifer Richardson

The Benevity Community Impact FundLake Claire NeighborsLillian & Gene AnsleyBrian & Jean Bowen

Kristina & Patrick BowenDavid & Mary BowerJodi & Patrick Buckley

Henry & Rebecca ChalmersSydney & Craig Cleland

David Cofrin & Christine Tryba-CofrinSally Cohen & Rocky Atkins

Casey Cornell & Ritchie McNallyJack Couch

Patty & Walt de Heer

David Goo & Susan DoyleRussell Currey & Amy Durrell

David & Becky EvansRichard & Susan Fenichel

Frances Eileen FineganNicole & Brandon Forde

Katherine Fritts & Steven CappelStacey Gallant

Linda GrantHarvin & Tommy Greene

Paige & Bruce HarveyPeggy & Henry HibbertMelinda & Phil HolladayRichard & Linda Hubert

David Hudson & Lainey PapageorgeJames & Pam HughesGeorge & Nancy Ickes

Michael & Kirsten JacobsonLynn KerpelStacey Key

Sandra & Walter KrugerJohn & Marilyn McMullan

Cynthia Messina & Jeff GoldAneli Nugteren & Steve Place

Amy PhuongMargaret Pierce

Mac & Melanie PlattKathie Ryan

Jay & Laura SaddAlida & Stuart Silverman

Carol SleethKevin Steward

Tally SweatWayne & Jane Thorpe

Chris Van BenedenBarrett & Peggy WalkerJeff & Lauren Williams

George & Julie Zaharatos

Bryan AdamsBob & Jeanne Allen

Lisa Armistead & Daniel KidderMarcia Bansley

Paul Bianchi & Barbara DunbarBill & Dixie Bradley

Cathy & Bo BradshawJill & George Brown

Manuel & Dale CadrechaJulie & William CarlsonWilliam & Jane Carney

Cooper CarterMartha Clinkscales

Kim & Steve ComstockCarrie & Joe ConwayAlice & Art Domby

John & June DouglasCharles & Caroline Driebe

Richard Delay & Francine DykesElaine Epps

Audra & Daniel EsreyBrad & Leslie Fletcher

Art GambillJohn & Kristin Giordano

David S. GodfreyLinda Grabbe & Terence Chorba

Ruth & George GrayLiz Gregory

Schaune GriffinLaura Hardy

Tom H. HembyEva & H. Kent Holland

Carol HollidayJeff Hopper & Elaine Swobe

William & Elliott HudsonCarolyn & Kenneth Johnson

Nancy & John JordakSunny Lee

Erin LeymannBruce & Dell MacGregor

Beth & Bill MorrisonElizabeth & Allen MoyeDavid Graham Nelson

Katie OrrDavid & Nan Partlett

Marguerite PaulPatricia Payne-WhiteTom & Alex PearsonOsvaldo & Elsa Pena

David & Susan PetersonCatherine P. Powell

Judy & Tony RagunasMartha & George Sessions

Norman Slawsky & Marcia Abrams

Peter & Lindsey SonesBill Stiefel & Marilyn Fish

Glen & Susan StineAmy Stout

Druid Hills Garden ClubJohn Douglas Strohl

Jeff Hopper & Elaine SwobeKenneth Thomas

Sydney Thompson & Nathan AaronsNancy ThompsonJane & Hal Weston

Bonnie & Gary WolfCatherine Woodling & Evan Strange

Ruth WoodlingHolly York

James & Michele Young

AnonymousCathy & Bucky Askew

Jesse & Deborah AustinWendy & Jefferson Baer

Melissa BerlinRobert Berry

Dana & Jenni BlankenhornEric Blue

Scott & Becky BracewellDoug Bremner & Viola Vaccarino

I. Emerson Bryan IIINancy & Randall Burkett

Joyce CatrettElaine Chambers

John ChandlerJulie Childs

Judith ClairmontHarry & Linder Clark

Max & Rosalie CooperMichael Corbett & Lisa Silva

Steve & Laura CushingMary DabbsSara Dangel

Kate DannenbergJohn DargleRobert DavisNiel DawsonDee DeBra

Paul DeSandre & Michael RossRob Dretler & Muffie Michaelson

Eric & Karen Dusenbury

Dolly EvansDede Farrar

Lee FidlerWilliam & Dorothy Fletcher

Martha FosterPamela Frey

Kathie GannonStephanie & John GiegerichMark & Marlene Goldman

Wilson F. Gordon IIILisa & Scott Gordon

Will Gosnell & John PageLibby & Nat Gozansky

Steve GrableWilliam & Pat Graves

Cheryl GriffinDon & Carole Guffey

Ryan Guthrie & Leigh Ann AllenChuck Haning

Lynn HartVirginia Hepner & Malcolm Barnes

Preston & Linda HerrenCynthia Hoffner

Mark & Karen HolzbergDaniel & Rosa HuntJohn & Julie Jagger

Kelly JordanJohn Juricek

Andrew KeenanJudy Kisla & Leslie Pope

Beth Krebs

Teresa Kruzan & Richard WilinskiPaige McKay Kubik

Doris Lee & Scott GablerMichele & Bart LesterHoward & Faith Levy

David Lewis & Danica KombolBeverley Lorenzo

Karen & Michael LuscherCleo Mansour

Melinda & Dan MarshburnChuck & Betsy Marvin

Annette & Steven McBrayerAllison & Warner McConaughey

Dan & Mary Emma McConaugheyLaura & Ken McDuffie

Jack McFarlandMary Donovan & Tim Merckens

Sandy & Robert MonettHampton & Carter Morris

Paul MurdochKristy & Ray Neal

Jim & Margaret NewsomeBill Odle

Donald & Helen O’SheaParadox Fund

Aja & Michael PascaleFrank Pickens

Lois PippinScott Porter

Kenneth PrinceJeff & Carolyn Rader

Henry RicksSabrina & Mark Rivellese

Kim Roberson & Garett BackmanRebecca Rollins

Jill & Mark RosenbergElliot Royston

Ross RubensteinBrian Ruppert

Claudia Saari & Jeff BoatrightJennie Saliers & Bill Levisay

Virginia SchenckArthur & Patty SchiffBill & Sandra Sexson

Negin ShakibiJanpen & Andrew Sherwood

Cecily StevensHarry Stillwell

Jim & Mary K SutherlandLynda & Bill Talmadge

Kerry Traubert & John RaevuoriBerit Turner

Richard UnderwoodStephanie Van Parys

Nancy VerberMichael & Sheila Vinciquerra

Clarke & Janet WeeksBetty Willis

Sherrilyn & Donn WrightKelly & Gary Yates

Mary AllemanAmazon Smiles Charitable

Lauren BabineauxDavid & Jeanne Bedell

Beryl BergquistTerry Bird & Clark Lemons

John BoswellKelly Brehany

Peter & Sue BrissDave Butler

Hamish Caldwell & Dalia JudovitzJustin Coleman

Joseph Courtney & Charlotte KentSteven Darsey

James & Doris Douglas

Sarah FullerNeel Gandhi & Sarita Shah

Patricia Gipson & Adele GipsonAmy Goch

Pat GodbeeKaren Huebner

Randy & Linda HughesLynda Idleman

Charlie & Cindy JaretCarol Jean & Timothy Johnson

Frederick KoehlMary & Elliott Kyle

Robert LiuZack LoehleJoy Martin

Randy McDowMarc Merlin

Jenny MittelmanJames Monacell & Tracy Trentadue

Sally MountcastleJames C. MynattJohn F. MynattTom Newsome

Kaaren & Stephen NowickiClaudia Ordonez

Marshall & Peggy OrsonSophia Brothers Peterman

Bruce & Barbara RibnerBrian SeinbergJane Skvarich

Mary Sloop Smoke Rise Morning Glories

Susan & Robert StewartJ. Miller Tobin

Mary & Jim Van BurenAnne M. Warren

Michael & Suzanne WhiteCraig & Peggy Wyvill

Natalie YassonChuck & Pat Young

Pauline Clance & Nancy ZumoffMarlene & Paul Zwier

Oak - $1000+

Hickory - $500+

Dogwood - $250+

Redbud - $100+

Maple - $50+

— OLPA Visionary —2020 Sponsors

— OLPA Champion —

— OLPA Preservationist —

— OLPA Conservationist —

Personal Care