Spaces
Avocet Community Leads the Way
The Avocet community, originally built in 1997, has had its fair share of changes throughout the years. The residents have worked hard to build a beautiful community and nurture it, and now they work together to keep the neighborhood running smoothly.
HOA president meets today’s challenges
Tom Cole, a member of the Avocet community for over 10 years and the current homeowners’ association (HOA) president, reflected on how the community has changed. He talked about the number of young families that have moved in recently and remarked that it’s nice to have young children laughing and playing in the neighborhood again.
It hasn’t been easy for parents since the COVID-19 pandemic started, so living in a community like Avocet has helped the residents cope. The community still hosts block parties (now socially distanced), pizza parties for the children, and the “Football Tailgate” party — not to mention the parking lot hangouts put on by the residents themselves.
Cole observed that there used to be more activities going on in the neighborhood, but he said that as long as someone volunteers to help, it all comes together.
His decision to open the pool after the quarantine was over was not an easy choice, but he maintained that it was “the right thing to do.” Parents and kids alike were growing antsy to be outside and enjoy the sunshine, and this way, Cole said, he left the choice in the hands of the residents — with a few new pool rules of course. New state-of-the-art security measures and key fobs have made it easier to control the crowds at the amenities.
Cole explained that with the way the HOA is set up, “no one person has all of the power.” It hadn’t always been that way, though.
Inspired to make things better
When Jeanne Aulbach first moved to the Avocet community in 1999, it never crossed her mind to become a part of the neighborhood politics. That is, until the area was hit by a drought that left her with a giant brown spot on her lawn.
It was nothing to worry about, she thought. She figured that once it did rain, she could take care of it. But then Aulbach received an unsettling “final warning” from the neighborhood’s management company. She was surprised to learn that they were unreachable to speak to about the issue — and that made her rethink how the HOA should be run.
“I was so frustrated by the situation,” Aulbach said. So, she decided to get involved and join the board of the HOA. The very first thing she did was throw out the old management company and replace them with one that was able to respond in a timely manner.
“I wanted to make the whole process of the HOA more friendly,” she said. “To me, that meant no more warning letters.”
These days, when the Avocet community has an issue, it is dealt with in person and they resolve the problems face-to-face. (Imagine that!)
Aulbach has since been on the City Council since 2012, and she shared her dreams and challenges along the way. She spoke of when the city widened South Old Peachtree Road, and the neighborhood was left with nothing but bare dirt on the side of the road.
After Aulbach went to the county to ask for assistance, it provided Avocet with new grass and plants which were installed by a prison work program. She said that experience left her with a sense of accomplishment. She began working with the United Peachtree Corners Civic
Organization (UPCCA) and went on to with the mayor.
“The mayor has done such a great job in showing leadership,” Aulbach said, speaking highly of Mayor Mike Mason. She added that she dreams that one day, land rezoning decisions will be made on a more local level.
Residents like Aulbach show the community what it looks like to get involved in the decisions being made and help shape the city into what it’s become — one of the most desirable places to live.
A history of leadership continues
Avocet is the community where decisions are being made. In fact, when the very first city townhall meeting was held in 2012, it was held in the Avocet clubhouse.
Cole pointed to the close interest that residents are taking in the new pedestrian bridge between the Forum shopping center and Town Center. He said that the while residents of Peachtree Corners don’t always agree about what’s best for the community, they sure do care enough to get involved in the future of their city.
“I am so proud of what we have done for the city,” Cole said. “There is so much positivity in the air, with Curiosity Lab and approximately 400 new jobs projected to come to Peachtree Corners within the next year.”
In the wake of everything that has happened since the start of 2020, the spirit of the people of Peachtree Corners remains strong. And with residents like those in the Avocet community, the city has a lot more to look forward to.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, the City of Peachtree Corners held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony of its new space-themed Tot Lot Playground on Town Green.
Last November, the city began constructing a new tot lot playground for children under six years old that is themed around space exploration. This new play area includes a rocket ship, a moon rover, a crashed UFO and other fun designs. It was also created to be fully accessible, ensuring all children can enjoy it.
During the ribbon-cutting, children and their guardians enjoyed fun activities, including an ice cream truck, bubble lady, balloon animals, face painting and even a visit from Buzz Lightyear.
When Peachtree Corners City Councilman Alex Wright last had a dog, he was only a kid.
Young Alex was devastated when he died and did not want to get another dog because he did not want to endure that trauma again.
As a result, his family has never had a dog, and even though the two youngest of his four children badgered him and his wife endlessly, they always said no.
Then COVID-19 hit. The Wrights’ youngest son, Michael, was committed to convincing his parents to get a dog. He even did a PowerPoint presentation (with music) explaining why he absolutely needed a dog.
“I guess it was from being cooped up during Covid that my wife suggested maybe we should give in. Next thing I know we tell the kids we are going to get a dog,” Councilman Wright wrote in an email.
So, in June 2021, they got their first dog, Murphy, an Australian Labradoodle.
“All of a sudden, we discover this whole dog subculture that we had not really paid attention to before. All the things dogs liked to do, all the stuff you could buy them, all the people we met through walking the dog,” he explained.
In February, Wright and his wife were at Avalon returning a purchase when they came upon a modest-sized dog park. Wright’s wife suggested having something like that at Town Green would be great.
Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter
“Later that day, I texted the City Manager [Brian Johnson] about the idea, and he really liked it. At the time, the playground (the one that opened in August 2022) was under construction, and we were already discussing other ideas to create activation at the Town Center, so this fit right into that plan,” said Wright.
The assistant City Manager, Seth Yurman, was tasked with the nuts and bolts and worked with a contractor on location and design.
“Can’t say enough about what a great job Seth did. We have definitely had some supply chain delays, which resulted in an opening maybe 9 to 12 months later than originally hoped for, but it is finally open,” he added.
Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter
A couple more things are still left to do for the project, including installing a large sail cover over the stone entrance area. Construction of the Bone Bar is also on the agenda. This small bar will serve adult and non-adult beverages and likely…you guessed it? Treats for dogs.
The new dog park is situated behind the CineBistro building near the Town Green. The Peachtree Corners Off-Leash Dog Park is approximately 9,000 square feet and is divided into sections for smaller and larger dogs, with natural and artificial turf areas.
Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter
PTC Dog Park Rules
- The dog park is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The dog park is CLOSED for maintenance every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Use of the dog park is at your own risk. You are responsible for your dog and any injuries or damage caused by your dog.
- All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- All dogs must wear a collar with a valid license and have current vaccinations required by law.
- Please call 911 for all emergencies.
- The small dog area is for dogs 30 pounds and under. Dogs over 30 pounds must use the large dog area.
- Dogs must stay on a leash until they are in the fenced-in areas of the dog park and must be off-leash while in the dog park.
- Professional dog trainers may not use the dog park to conduct business.
- No person shall bring more than three dogs at one time.
- Please dispose of your dog’s waste in the receptacles provided. Remind others to do the same.
- Dogs must always be under the control and supervision of their handler.
- If your dog becomes aggressive, please leash the dog and exit the park immediately.
- Gates must be closed after entrance and exit.
- Dogs under six months old and female dogs in heat are not permitted.
- Food (human and dog) and glass containers are not permitted, as are smoking, vaping and drug use.
- Cats and other animals are not permitted.
- Bikes, scooters, skateboards and motorized equipment are not permitted.
- Violation of these rules may result in a ban from the dog park.
To honor and remember Debbie Mason, the first and only first lady of Peachtree Corners, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, a memorial park is being built.
A Peachtree Corners Arts Council subcommittee was formed to plan, develop and execute the park. Debbie Mason Memorial Park committee members include Lynette Howard, Robyn Unger, Bob Ballagh, Dave Huffman, Gay Shook, Sarah Roberts and Pat Bruschini.
“Lynette Howard led us in some brainstorming and creative sessions about what the garden should look like,” said Bruschini. “We had pictures of her backyard. Some of us had been to her backyard. It took a couple of months until we got a handle and feel for what we wanted the garden to be and what we thought [Mason] would want.”
One unique feature will be a Yorkie statue, Mason’s favorite dog, perched on top of a coffee table-like boulder encircled by granite benches. The brochure for the fundraising campaign will feature a photo of Mason and her beloved pet.
After looking at a few possible locations, a tract of land near the city’s botanical garden was chosen.
“The area where the park is going had been semi-developed,” said Buschini. “If you’re standing on the sidewalk with your back to the new dog park or your back to Cinebistro, you’ll see a granite semi-circle wall and steps that come down from Peachtree Corners Circle. We are enhancing that area.”
Everyone involved wanted the park to be near Town Center and accessible to everyone. So, an offshoot of the botanical garden, a property owned by the Downtown Development Authority, made the most sense, Bruschini added.
The park will be connected to Town Center with one entrance off Peachtree Corners Circle across from Davini Court.
“We have a complete plot plan designed by a landscape architect from Pike Nursery. Jennifer Freeman, a Duluth mosaic artist, created a mosaic design of the city logo,” said Bruschini.
The Debbie Mason Memorial Garden will be the city’s first park. Although there are other parks within city limits, this is the only one that will be owned and maintained by the city.
To improve its access, the city is working with the Solis Apartment Complex being built nearby.
The plan is to have an extensive sidewalk connecting to the park. Construction of the park is underway and plant material will go in this fall. There will be a ribbon cutting and dedication shortly after that.
But for now, the committee wants everyone to know that it’s coming and contributions are welcome. Find the wish list for the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden at the end of this article.
The memorial is fitting because Mason really was Peachtree Corners, said Bruschini.
“She was a volunteer extraordinaire,” she said. I met her on the board of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, and she headed up the Peachtree Parkway Improvement Project for six years. That’s where she would contact all the businesses along 141 and ask them to make a contribution so that the median strip could be maintained.”
Mason also co-founded the beloved Peachtree Corners Festival alongside Dave Huffman.
In 2008, there was a tour of homes in Peachtree Corners, and the funds raised went to solar lights to light up the sign going into Peachtree Corners. Mason was front and center with that. But she always had time for family, Bruschini said.
“Her son Nick was in drama at Norcross High School, and she was very involved in that. And she worked with the taste of Norcross High School going back, I’ll say, 20 years maybe,” she said.
“She and Mike started the Fox Hill Homeowners Association and she worked with the Peachtree Corners Yes campaign and served on the board of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful as well as the City Arts Council and also the first City Green committee. This is fitting because she always wanted to make memories in Peachtree Corners,” she explained.
Garden Sponsorship Items
- Mosaic Logo – $10,000
- Mosaic River – (3) $5,000 each
- Bronze Plaque – $3,000
- Arbor – (3) $1,000 each
- Japanese Maple – $800
- Flowerpots full of color – (3) $500 each
- Dogwoods (3) $500 each
- Tea Olives – (6) $400 each
- Yorkie Dog Statue – $300
- Azalea/Hydrangeas (40) – $60 each
Garden Sponsorship Levels
- $1000: Platinum
- $500: Gold
- $250: Silver
- $100: Bronze
- $50: Friends of the Garden
Ways to Donate
Checks are preferred and are payable to:
Peachtree Corners Arts, Inc. Attn: DMMC
PO Box 922469
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
PTCArts.org/donate
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