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Peachtree Corners Swim Teams Shine at 2019 County Championships

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Left to right, (Head Coach Kailyn Dunn, Assistant Coach Lauren Powell, Assistant Coach Charlotte Whitmer, Assistant Coach Caroline Lantis, Assistant Coach Bailey Lesko and Head Coach Willie Hildebrand) Photo by Velvet Hildebrand

One year after finishing third and two years after finishing second, the Spalding Corners swim team decisively claimed their first Gwinnett Swim League (GSL) Championship on Sunday July 14 at the McAuley Aquatic Center at Georgia Tech.

The championship was the first by a Peachtree Corners area team in over a decade.

Seeded third entering the Championship weekend, the Sharks pulled ahead in the final session on Sunday afternoon to earn their first title ahead of the Lansmoore Lasers from Suwanee. The Thunderbolts, Wild Timber and Chateau Elan rounded out the top five.

“This meet was not only won because of the coaches,” said Spalding Corners Co-Coach Willie Hildebrand afterwards. “It was won because of our swimmers and our parents. Our swimmers did what they were set out to do and they swam their best, making their best times.”

15-18 girls show off their tapering county practice attire. (Photo by Melia Lesko)

“We knew that it was going to be a very close meet between our team, the Thunderbolts and Lansmoore,” added Hildebrand. “All three coaches knew that it was going to be a dogfight from the first session to the last. We were seeded third place for the meet. So, we still had a bit of a hill to climb (to win the championship).”

Spalding Corners Tream

Spalding Corners finished ahead of 3 other local teams — Peachtree Station (8th place), Fields Club (14th Place), Peachtree Corners (16th Place) — to wrap up a very strong performance for all Peachtree Corners area summer swim teams. “This is the first time a team not from the Northern Division has won County in over 11 years,” noted Hildebrand.

In all, over 2000 swimmers from 43 different teams across Gwinnett County competed over two days at the venue which hosted the 1996 Olympic Swimming & Diving competitions.

“There was no particular standouts as to any age group or swimmers explaining how we won (the championship). It came down to every swimmer showing up, every parent bringing their kids and every coach doing a whole lot of work for the last two months,” said Spalding Corners Co-Coach Kailyn Dunn.

“We had many times where we were ranked first before county, but this is the first time we have ever actually had a relay finish first,” added Hildebrand. The 8-and-under boys’ relay team (Kolton Regina, Braxton Romeyn, Tony Martelli and Lawson Parton) won both the freestyle and medley relays. Savannah Moss, also 8 and under, won the Girls’ 25 Freestyle event for Spalding Corners with a time of 16.60 seconds.

Catie Choate (Fields Club) and Emma Livezey (Peachtree Station) finished first and second in the Girls 13/14-year-old age group. Choate swept three events (50-yard Freestyle, 50-yard Backstroke and 50-yard Butterfly) while Livezey won the 100-yard Freestyle, took 2nd place in the 50-yard Freestyle plus 3rd place in the 50-yard Backstroke.

Berkeley Hills’ Ryan Qi won the overall Boys 7/8-year-old division, sweeping three individual events – 25-yard Backstroke, 25-yard Freestyle and 50-yard Freestyle. Peachtree Corners’ Tripp Wiggins took 3rd overall in the Boys U6 division with a pair of third place finishes in the 25Y Backstroke and Freestyle. ■

— Special to Peachtree Corners Magazine by Sonny Pieper, with Marilyn Whitmer

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City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

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Mayor Mike Mason of Peachtree Corners, wearing a white button up shirt and blue blazer

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.

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City of Peachtree Corners

Public Notice: Scheduled Maintenance on Town Center Parking Deck

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Logo for City of Peachtree Corners. Used in announcement of scheduled maintenance and repairs on Town Center parking deck.

Maintenance and repairs will take place from March through July; the deck will remain open to the public throughout

Starting the week of March 24, the City of Peachtree Corners will begin scheduled maintenance and repairs on the Town Center Parking Deck. These improvements are expected to continue through July 2025 and are necessary to ensure the longevity of the structure.

During this period, the deck will remain open to the public, but the repair areas will be temporarily closed on a rolling basis. These closures will allow crews to efficiently complete the necessary work while minimizing disruption to tenants, customers and residents.

To assist with navigation, directional signage, barriers and other safety measures will be in place to guide drivers and pedestrians safely around work areas. For public safety, drivers must follow the directional signage and only park in the open sections of the deck.

The city appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as they work to maintain a safe and well-functioning parking facility.

For project updates, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

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City of Peachtree Corners

Fun for a Good Cause at Curiosity Lab’s Inaugural 5K Run/Walk

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Curiosity Lab 5K Run/Walk logo

The Charity Run/Walk will be part of Curiosity Lab’s annual Criterium event

Expect a day of thrilling races and family-friendly fun at the inaugural Curiosity Lab Charity 5K Run/Walk followed by the Curiosity Lab Criterium on Sunday, April 27.

In addition to the running and cycling events, there will also be kid’s races, food & beverage vendors, a kids zone, a DJ spinning tunes and more fun throughout the day.

The Charity 5K Run/Walk

Presented by Werfen and Sidel, with additional support provided by Atlas Collaborative and the City of Peachtree Corners, the Charity 5K Run/Walk will benefit the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and 100% of the registration fees will be donated. 

While no prizes will be given for the race, bib timing will be used for those who would like to see their times. And each registrant will receive a Curiosity Lab Charity 5K Run/Walk t-shirt for participating.

Registration for the 5K is open now.

Curiosity Lab Criterium

Following the 5K, hang around and experience the Curiosity Lab Criterium, part of U.S. Pro Cycling’s Speed Week.

Speed Week is a premiere week-long event on the U.S. Pro Cycling Circuit that draws cyclists from around the world, including Olympic medalists and world and national champions. In 2024, the professional men’s and women’s events drew cyclists from over 30 states and more than 20 countries.

A group of bikers at the starting line, competing in a bike race.
photo courtesy of City of Peachtree Corners

Join in the excitement and watch as some of the world’s top male and female Criterium Racers tackle the most challenging track on the circuit.

The details

The 2025 Curiosity Lab Criterium & 5K will take place on a course located within the world-famous Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners — a 5G-enabled, 500-acre living laboratory ecosystem designed specifically as a proving ground for IoT, mobility and smart city emerging technologies.

Location: Curiosity Lab at City Hall • 310 Technology Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners

Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 5K starts at 9 a.m and ends at 10:30 a.m. The Criterium begins at 11:15 a.m.

Parking for the event will be located at 400 and 420 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners.

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

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