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Get in the Game and Discover Gwinnett’s Parks This July

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Summer is here, which means it’s time to get out and explore the great things happening at your local parks and recreation centers. This July Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation is celebrating Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association, with events and activities for residents of all ages and abilities.

These special events feature activities including movies, arts and crafts, aquatic events and hiking:

·         Stars & Stripes Family Night on July 1 at 7 p.m. at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center and again on July 3 at 7 p.m. at Lenora Park Pool. Bring the family for patriotic celebration with a twist: it’s in the pool. No registration is required; all pool rules and admission apply. Bethesda Park Aquatic Center is located at 225 Bethesda Church Road in Lawrenceville and Lenora Pool is located at 4315 Lenora Church Road in Snellville.

·         Summer Movie Night on July 12 at 6 p.m. at Bogan Park Community Recreation Center. Free admission to watch “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” Popcorn and light refreshments will be provided. All ages, preregistration is recommended online with code BOP31630 or call 678-277-0850. Bogan Park Community Recreation Center is located at 2723 North Bogan Road in Buford.

·         Date Night Drop Off on July 12 at 6 p.m. at Lawrenceville Female Seminary. Children can enjoy the museum while parents enjoy a night out. Pizza, fun monster relay games and crafts will be provided. Ages 5 to 10, $10 per person. Must preregister by July 10 online with code LFS34001 or call 770-822-5178. Lawrenceville Female Seminary is located at 455 South Perry Street in Lawrenceville.

·         Hot Dog Pool Party on July 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center. Celebrate National Hot Dog Month with swimming and hot dogs. All ages, $5 per person. Preregistration is recommended online with code CHP35900 or call 770-237-5647. All pool rules apply. Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center is located at 2200 Collins Hill Road in Lawrenceville.

·         Dinner and Cinema on July 12 at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Enjoy a catered dinner, popcorn and mock-tails while watching a film in the historic Superior Court Ballroom. Ages 18 and up, $20 per person. Seating is limited. Preregister online with code GHC11601 or call 770-822-5450. The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse is located at 185 Crogan Street in Lawrenceville.

·         Aquatic Think Tank on July 13 at 6:30 p.m. at West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center. Swimming with a twist: games designed for educational fun in the water to engage math and reading skills. All ages, $3 per person. Preregister online with code WGP31901 or call 678-407-8801. West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center is located at 4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Berkeley Lake.

·         Game On, Kids’ Night Out on July 19 at 6 p.m. at Mountain Park Activity Building. Swim and enjoy a night out with pizza, ice cream and lots of action-packed activities. Ages 7 to 13, $12 per person. Preregister by July 16 online with code MPA31403 or call 678-277-0179. Mountain Park Activity Building is located at 1063 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain.

·         Kids’ Night Out on July 19 at 6 p.m. at George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center. Have fun playing summertime games, and enjoy a delicious dinner with dessert. Ages 7 to 13, $12 per person. Preregister online with code GPP31602 or call 678-277-0910. George Pierce Park is located at 55 Buford Highway in Suwanee.

·         Scavenge-ART Hunt on July 20 at 11 a.m. at Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center. Gather fun items from nature to build a craft. Free for all ages. Preregister online with code PVP31410 or call 678-277-0920. Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Berkeley Lake.

·         All American Day on July 20 at Noon at Mountain Park Aquatic Center. Bring the family for a fun-filled All American Day at our outdoor leisure pool with crafts, hot dogs and lawn games. All ages, $6 per person. Preregister by July 17 online with code MPA31101 or call 678-277-0870. Mountain Park Aquatic Center is located at 1063 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain.

·         Splash in Movie on July 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Lenora Park Pool. Bring the family to swim and watch “Trolls.” Appropriate for all ages, $4 per person. Preregistration is required online with code LEP35103 or by calling 770-982-5309. Lenora Pool is located at 4315 Lenora Church Road in Snellville.

·         Stargazing on July 20 at 9:30 p.m. at Harbins Park. Join our educators across the parks for an evening under stars. No experience in stargazing is necessary. Telescopes will be available or bring your own. Ages 5 and up, $2 per person. Preregister by July 17 online with code HRP34005 or by calling 770-904-3500. Harbins Park is located at 2299 Luke Edwards Road in Dacula.

·         Cowboy Day on July 27 at 10 a.m. at Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center. Spend national cowboy and cowgirl day at the pool with face painting, entertainment and swimming. Test your skills on the inflatable bull during safety breaks. Ages 4 and up. All pool rules and admission fees will apply. Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center is located at 2200 Collins Hill Road in Lawrenceville.

·         Toddler Treks on July 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Lawrenceville Female Seminary. Finish the month off with a guided outdoor adventure for you and your little one. Spend time in the pollinator garden looking for flowers and learning about the honeybees. Ages 18 months to 3 years, $5 per child with one parent free. Preregister online with code LFS34502 or call 770-822-5178. Lawrenceville Female Seminary is located at 455 South Perry Street in Lawrenceville.

Parks and Recreation Deputy Division Director Chris Minor invites residents and visitors to explore the parks and recreation centers around Gwinnett.

“This year’s theme, Game On, encourages residents to embrace the fun and games provided by their parks and recreation centers,” said Minor. “While you’re enjoying this month’s great events, share your experience with the hashtag #GameOnJuly and invite your family and friends to get in the game with us.”

To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit www.gwinnettparks.com and www.nrpa.org/July.  

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Community

PCBA Awards $3,500 to Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer

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Group of women holding a large check representing a donation from PCBA to GABC

The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) donated a check for $3,500 to the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer at their October Business After Hours event. The organization was selected by the PCBA Community Outreach Committee and board, who are dedicated to identifying and selecting charities whose mission aligns with supporting the community. 
 
Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer — formerly It’s the Journey — is a registered 501c3 non-profit that supports Georgia’s breast cancer community by raising funds for breast health and breast cancer programs throughout the state.

Since 2002, the organization’s Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer has raised over $19 million to fund 554 grants that provide breast cancer education, screening, early detection, support services and continuing care for Georgians. Their mission is to engage with Georgia’s breast cancer community to increase access to care and reduce disparities in cancer outcomes.
 
“Since [our] donations are made possible through our members and sponsorships, we wanted to award this check at our recent PCBA Business After Hours Speaker’s event, allowing our members the opportunity to celebrate with us and learn how this organization supports our community” said Lisa Proctor, PCBA president. “This check represents the first of three charities we raised money for at our annual charity event, Tailgates and Touchdowns, in August of this year. We will be awarding a check to the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries in November and Spectrum Autism Support Group in December.”

Supporting the community

“We are so proud of our continued commitment to supporting our community,” Proctor continued. “The PCBA has donated over $162,000 to local deserving charities and awarded 19 scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors in our metro Atlanta community since the inception of our community outreach program in 2013.”

Four women at a PCBA meeting
photo courtesy of the Peachtree Corners Business Association

Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach program are raised throughout the year from PCBA memberships, sponsorships and an annual charity event. Donations and scholarships are awarded during monthly events so that members have the opportunity to learn more about the selected organizations.  

For more information about the Peachtree Corners Business Association, visit peachtreecornersba.com.
 

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Community

Peachtree Corners Dedicates Memorial Garden to its First Lady

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A green sign with white lettering and white post for the Debbie Mason Overlook Garden in Peachtree Corners

Although Debbie Mason, the first First Lady of Peachtree Corners passed away in January 2023 just shy of her 72nd birthday, she left a lasting legacy on the community.

Her obituary summed up her attributes beautifully.

“If Debbie Mason believed in a cause, she could be counted on to work toward it tirelessly. Debbie was known to her family as a full-time mom, part-time Wonder Woman and occasional miracle worker. To her friends and community, she was a professional volunteer, fearless leader and perpetual truthteller.

Before starting her family, she worked as a legal secretary, where she began honing her exceptional organizational skills and trademark charisma, which made her the most formidable fundraiser. PTSA president, Scout den leader, drama club mom, sports team mom, volunteer organizer, teen-driving advocate, recycling and beautification champion — whatever her kids were involved in or called to her heart, she made it a priority.

A consummate ‘mover and shaker,’ there was little in her sphere of influence that didn’t receive a bit of ‘the Debbie Mason touch.’ She and Mike were founders of the Fox Hill Homeowner’s Association, where she worked to build community on the street she called home for 36 years. Hanging holiday decorations, throwing her annual Halloween party and even going door-to-door gathering signatures to have sewers installed in the neighborhood, Debbie spent so much of her time and energy in service of others.”


A loving memorial

At a memorial service in her honor, several members of the community stood around brainstorming a way to truly respect the impact she had on those around her.

“There were a group of us that just kept talking to each other and saying, what else can we do?” said Lynette Howard. “Debbie inspired us. She did so many things for us, and she gave up great things to the city. And the city was something that she just … it was her pride and joy, and she wanted to make sure that everybody was embraced and hugged in this city.”

Ribbon cutting with Mayor Mike Mason at the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden
Ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Mike Mason at the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden dedication, photo courtesy of City of Peachtree Corners

A public garden in Debbie Mason’s name was born from that discussion. And a little less than two years later, a dedication was held on Saturday, October 24 to commemorate the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden.

Her obituary went on to include her love of gardening and the outdoors.

“To nurture was her nature; she loved to look after her home and garden. Visitors often commented on how warm and welcoming the house made them feel and how beautifully decorated it was. She was an artist, viewing the backyard garden as her canvas and the flowers, plants and pots as her paints. Working in the garden restored her soul; it was her special place. She was brilliant, an independent thinker, honest, direct and utterly unique. There will never be another one like her.”

A legacy that will live on

As in life, her kindness, dedication and joy will live on.

“With the opening of this garden today, she will leave an imprint that will be enjoyed by Peachtree Corners citizens for generations to come,” said Dave Huffman during the ceremony.

Debbie inspired those around her to make a positive impact on the city, as seen in the garden project. The Debbie Mason Memorial Garden Committee: Bob Ballagh, Pat Bruschini, Lynette Howard, Dave Huffman, Sarah Roberts, Gay Shook and Robyn Unger worked together to answer questions, prioritize goals and honor Debbie’s legacy.

Large blue vase with colorful faux flowers at the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden
photo credit: Rico Figliolini

To ensure the garden design and features aligned with Debbie’s passions and the community’s input, the committee thought about things the garden shouldn’t be: hectic, feeling noisy, unkempt, sad, forgotten, without a purpose, ostentatious, gaudy, overdone, devoid of interactive things.

“Did we accomplish it?” Howard asked the crowd during the ceremony.

The thunderous applause proved that Debbie would have approved.

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PTC Arts Inc. Furthers Mission to Provide Accessible Art

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A woman in a pink sweater holding a small dog and sitting at a table with pink and white flowers

Not long after the incorporation of Peachtree Corners in 2012, city leaders envisioned an arts council that would ensure local arts and culture were given necessary attention. The Peachtree Corners Arts Council, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was established in 2016 to bring that vision to life by creating an Arts & Culture Master Plan and Public Art Initiative program for the city.

The council facilitates public art projects, such as a soon-to-be-completed mural on Peachtree Corners Circle by artist Jonathan Bidwell. With another major endeavor, the independently funded Debbie Mason Memorial Garden, also nearing completion, Peachtree Corners Magazine caught up with the organization — now called Peachtree Corners Arts Inc. (PTC Arts) — to learn more about the projects as well as the future of arts and culture in our city.

Debbie Mason Memorial Garden

The Debbie Mason Memorial Garden is an aesthetic and contemplative garden space nestled in an area of the Peachtree Corners Botanical Garden near Town Center. A group of Peachtree Corners residents, with a shared love for the city’s first first lady and an appreciation for all that she has done for the city, formed the Debbie Mason Memorial Committee (DMMC) to raise funds to build the oasis that will delight with flowering color each season.

Painting of a blue birg by Jonathan Bidwell
Blue bird by Jonathan Bidwell

The goal of the DMMC is to preserve Mason’s memory by transforming a space that will offer Peachtree Corners residents a quiet place to reflect, connect and rejuvenate among vibrant colored seasonal plantings and mosaic tiled artwork, according to the PTC Arts website. 

Although the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden falls under the umbrella of PTC Arts Inc., it had its own committee in charge of design and fundraising goals.

“When they started getting going, because they were creating an artistic kind of installation in the city and were going to raise the funds for it, they worked with our council for ideas and input on the plan that they ultimately came up with,” said Marcia Catterall, a member of PTC Arts. “They really ran independently with that. Primarily, they used us as the nonprofit vehicle to raise the funds.”

Independent of PTC Arts, DMMC created all of its own publicity and had a committee tasked with handling all of the fundraising.

Building a master plan

Although the objective of PTC Arts Inc. is simple, the execution can be complicated.

“We had our hands in numerous things,” said Catterall. “We’ve created the city’s arts and culture master plan. We created a public art initiative. Our goal was to think about all of the ways that arts and cultural activities could impact the city and then to help facilitate the creation and the installation of arts and culture in the city.”

The initiative, along with the master plan, took up the first several years of the council’s efforts. The master plan was formalized and officially adopted in 2018. 

Part of a mural painting by artist Jonathan Bidwell
Early mural mock-up from artist Jonathan Bidwell

According to city records, “The resolution requires developers to meet with the Peachtree Corners Arts Council to discuss possibilities for public art on their property. Developers would also be asked to voluntarily set aside one percent of their project costs for public art, either by including public art on their site or contributing money to a public art fund administered by the city.”

“This Public Art Initiative and Vision Map is intended to help city officials, developers and the community at large visualize and implement the city’s public art future. It outlines a vision for public art, offers an inventory of opportunities for public art throughout the city and provides background on the types of projects that should be encouraged and prioritized,” the records continued.

painting of a dog running
Greyhound courtesy of Jonathan Bidwell

Early efforts of the council included designing activities for the Town Green and facilitating the use of public spaces for a variety of arts and cultural activities.

“One of the things that we helped with initially was designing some of the activities and talking about how to host activities on the Town Green,” said Catterall. “Now that’s all handled separately by the city, but we were sort of the sounding board and created a lot of the ideas and the thoughts about how Town Green was to be used.”

The mural project and what’s ahead

The first big art installation project initiated from beginning to end by the council is a mural on the retaining wall at Peachtree Corners Circle.

“That’s going to be our first big project that we’ve started — soup to nuts — and have run with completely on our own,” said Catterall.

Jonathan Bidwell, a well-known artist out of Asheville, North Carolina is creating the mural, having designed several others in the past.

A smiling man wearing a grey shirt and cap holding a white dog with black and brown markings
Artist Jonathan Bidwell (right) with his dog Buster

“He designed, for example, the playful foxes on the Social Fox Brewing Company in downtown Norcross,” she said. “He’ll be covering the big, long retaining wall that will border part of the Botanical Garden Walk around the Town Center area. And it will actually be near the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden.”

Funding for the mural project was covered partly through business donations.

“Part of our arts and culture master plan is to ask businesses, when they either develop or open up a new business, to donate 1% of their project value towards public art on their property or to give that to us,” Catterall said. “So, this is being funded mostly through the donation from QuickTrip’s new development.”

Since the company didn’t have a particular art installation in mind for its property, it allowed the money to go toward an effort elsewhere in the city.

The mural’s background colors were scheduled to be painted by the end of September with the remaining details to be completed by late October, in time for the ribbon cutting for the Debbie Mason Garden. That event is set for 11 a.m. on October 26.

For more information about Peachtree Corners Arts Inc., the mural or the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden, visit ptcarts.org.

You can read this article in the October/November issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine.

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