At 8 AM on Saturday, September 16, Collier Heights neighbors and friends were on hand for a ribbon cutting at the Jennie Drake. The ribbon cutting signaled the opening of the new trail in the park.  After the ribbon was cut, everyone celebrated by taking a walk on the trail.

In her remarks, District 9 Councilmember Felicia Moore acknowledged the role that the late Jennie Drake played in taking the initial steps to make it possible for the four acres of wooded lots on Waterford Road to become a park.  CM Moore surprised the group, when she presented a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council to Pauline Drake, daughter of Mrs. Drake and current chair of the Friends of Jennie Drake Park steering committee.  In the proclamation, Pauline is recognized for continuing “to dutifully carry out her mother’s dream . . .”

The Friends of Jennie Drake Park is one of more than 100 local Park Pride Friends of the Park groups. Park Pride, the only Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks, is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the general public about the benefits of parks. Park Pride helps communities realize their dreams for neighborhood parks that support healthy people, strong neighborhoods, a healthy environment, and more.

To fund the installation of the trail and other improvements, Jennie Drake Park received financial support from a number of sources, including a Community Building Grant from Park Pride and supported by The Home Depot Foundation; the discretionary funds of District 9 Council Member Felicia Moore; donations from other elected officials and corporations; and also contributions from neighbors and friends.

The Friends of Jennie Drake Park are enthusiastic about the opportunities that the new trail will provide to connect more neighbors, support better health and highlight another resource which makes the Collier Heights community a desirable place to live.