Community

Light Up The Corners Races Through Town Again

Published

4 years ago

August 9, 2021

Kelsey Asher

Light Up the Corners 2019 (Facebook Page)

Coming just around the corner in The Corners is the much-anticipated Light Up The Corners Glow Run and Twilight Trot. The nighttime community race will be held Saturday, August 14.

This lighthearted fundraiser race benefiting the WHY IT MATTERS campaign for Robert D. Fowler YMCA kicked off its first year in 2012 with a couple hundred participants and rose to over 1,200 in 2019. Light Up the Corners took a hiatus last year for obvious safety concerns, but now people are lacing up their running shoes and itching to put rubber soles to pavement.

“First of all, coordinating a race of this magnitude takes the assistance of many people and the Light Up The Corners race committee is made up of some awesome volunteers who — like me — are running/fitness enthusiasts and also fans of the Fowler YMCA,” said Race Coordinator Amy Massey.

Massey served on the board of the Fowler YMCA for a decade; therefore she “understood their mission and how important their annual campaign [WHY IT MATTERS] is to achieving that mission of enriching the lives of people in the community regardless of ability to pay for their life-changing programs and services.” Massey’s passion for running and compassion for the local community to have access to healthful resources made Light Up The Corners a serendipitous venture.

Putting together a program of this magnitude takes more than glow powder and willpower. There are many facets required to ensure a smooth and successful race day, such as soliciting sponsors to offset the costs, designing and ordering T-shirts, purchasing glow items, coordinating music, food and drink, course monitoring and ensuring the safety of participants. But like anything worth anything in life, the behind-the-scenes effort it takes to make it happens makes it that much more worthwhile.

Race and post-race info

This race is a great introduction for those new to public races, as well as a unique challenge for veteran runners. Festivities are divided into two main events, a 4-Mile Run and Twilight Trot 1k. This one-of-a-kind nighttime experience is less about how fast people can run or walk and more about much fun they can have!

The Forum at Peachtree Parkway is not only a proud sponsor but also serves as the location for the occasion. The course will be lined with blinking lights to illuminate the path and participants will be given glow sticks, a glow necklace and other glow bling to light up the course.

After the race, everyone is invited to stick around for the Post-Race Party, bursting with live music and free food and drink from generous sponsors: Grace 1720, Teds Montana Grill, Mojitos Bistro, Black Walnut Cafe, PokeWorks, Taqueria Tsunami, Press Blend Squeeze, Trader Joe’s and Ingles.

There will be contests and prizes for the “glowiest” men, women, boys, girls and teams. Gift certificates will be awarded from many Light Up The Corners sponsors, such as Spa Sydell, Gigi’s Cupcakes and California Pizza Kitchen.

Registration Information

Online Registration can be completed through lightupthecorners.com or directly at runsignup.com

Race Weekend Schedule
Saturday August 14, 2021
Twilight Trot 1k (6/10 mile) Start: 8 p.m.
4 Mile Run Start: 8:30 p.m
Location: The Forum on Peachtree Parkway, 5155 Peachtree Pkwy

A few things to keep in mind

■ Parking is limited so race coordinators suggest walking, running or carpooling to The Forum. If driving is necessary, please plan to park at one of the following locations: Fowler YMCA, Ingles Shopping Center, Peachtree Corners Baptist Church or Technology Business Park. There will be some spaces in the lots in front of Moe’s/Yogurtland, and behind Trader Joe’s off Peachtree Corners Circle.
■ This is a rain or shine event; but should there be lightning or thunder in the area at the time of the event or in the immediate forecast, the start may be delayed until it has passed.
■ Unfortunately, due to lack of insurance coverage for pets, dogs aren’t allowed.
■ Currently Gwinnett County does not allow road closures for this race. That said, there will be a coned-off lane for the race as well as 20 police officers and many more volunteers on the course patrolling to keep cars at a distance.
■ The cost of both the 1k run and the 4-Mile run are the same, though 1k runners also receive a t-shirt, additional glow swag, a glow toy and a finisher’s medal at the end.

So pick out a colorful neon workout shirt, throw on a pair of shorts and join in the fun! Visit the race website, lightupthecorners.com, for schedule updates and additional details.

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Kelsey Asher

Kelsey Asher is a proud graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Communications. She has held a variety of marketing leadership roles for several small, startup companies in a variety of industries including publishing, construction and technology.

City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Flyer for a community meeting regarding law enforcement in Peachtree Corners.

The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.

This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.

The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.

Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.

In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.

After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.

Meeting details

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners

Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

Community

Registration Now Open for Light Up the Corners 2025

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

The starting line of a community race with green, inflatable start archway and dozens of racers and specators.

It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!

Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.

This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.

All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.

Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.

Sponsorships available

In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.

T-shirt logo contest

Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.

The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.

City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2025

Mayor Mike Mason

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.