Friends of Springbrook Park Receive Grant from Park Pride for Stone Garden Beds

We are delighted to announce that Park Pride has awarded a grant for park improvements to

Springbrook. Only three parks in DeKalb County received awards this year. Springbrook, a

one-acre pocket park that aspires to become a food forest, had wooden garden beds since 2015

that were destroyed by fire ants. The rotted beds will be removed and stone beds with a

concentric circle design will be installed. Beds were designed free of charge by neighbors with

engineering and outdoor landscape expertise. A committee of neighbors and gardeners reviewed

and approve the final design. Irrigation equipment will be included to facilitate gardening

success. The beds will be high enough to improve access for older gardeners or those with

mobility issues. The beds form a labyrinth that will provide beauty and play opportunities. Park

Pride awarded $35,000 and DeKalb County Commissioners Ted Terry and Michelle Long Spears

have committed additional funding for the project. Neighbors will provide in-kind services of

removing the old beds and installing the irrigation system.

“Springbrook Park represents the epitome of community-driven park improvements. The Friends of Springbrook Park and neighbors have taken the initiative to create a space that is functional and inviting for people, plants, and animals. We are proud to support their efforts in furthering that goal through this grant award.” Kayla Altland, Director of Grantmaking, Park Pride.

About Springbrook Park:

Opened in 2015, Springbrook Park in Decatur is designed and maintained by the Friends of

Springbrook Park. We currently have 11 circular garden beds around a granite spiral bed. The

park boasts a pollinator garden that forms part of the Rosalyn Carter Monarch Trail, funded by

Monarchs Across Georgia, a gathering space with moveable furniture, play equipment,

decorative trees as well as fig, paw-paw, persimmon, apple and mulberry trees, blue berries and

service berries. The new garden plots will provide ample space for vegetable and flower

gardening year-round. We offer informational classes for gardeners and interested neighbors.

About Park Pride:

A trusted Atlanta-based nonprofit for 35 years, Park Pride engages communities to activate the

power of parks! Working with over 100 local Friends of the Park groups across more than 200

greenspaces, Park Pride provides leadership, services, and funding to help communities realize

their dreams for parks that support healthy people, united neighborhoods, a resilient city, and a

healthy environment. Park Pride is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic

leaders and the public about the benefits of parks, and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace

Conference. Learn more about Park Pride at parkpride.org.