I don't believe the swim teams are based out of county pools. Pools are pretty expensive to maintain. I'm not sure if its 2 or 3 public pools that the county has in the footprint of Brookhaven currently. Also while access and fees must be equal to all residents of DeKalb I suspect the entrance fees could be raised, though it seems the fee now may be as high as it can be without turning away folks.

Why did they remove the basketball rims? The county could use more of those facilities and they are cheap.

Eric, my guess on the basketball rims is that it attracted some folks who used bad language, left garbage all over the place in spite of having trash cans placed conveniently by the court. The mess up there on the court and scattered all around the perimeter of it was awful.

Eric - The city currently has pools at Briarwood, Lynwood, and Murphey Candler. At the time of the CVI study, entrance fees were $3 for anyone 18 years and up, $2 for anyone 3-17 years of age, and free for anyone 2 and under.

"Eric, my guess on the basketball rims is that it attracted some folks who used bad language, left garbage all over the place in spite of having trash cans placed conveniently by the court. The mess up there on the court and scattered all around the perimeter of it was awful."

As mayor I will put a sign up saying "No foul language."

They can save that for school.

I will also offer any losing candidate for mayor a job to daily go to each park with a pole with a nail protruding from its end and a bag over his shoulder---for minimum wage plus monthly rations of shoe polish.

Last but not least I'd grass over the center of the park inviting the squirrels and birds to return.

In sum: return the park to being a park.

"Why did they remove the basketball rims?"

My first act as Mayor will be to have the FBI, if need be, ascertain just who the vandal(s) was and make that vandal not only pay for the full restoration of the court but also perform the community service of keeping it clean for as long as the court has been out of commission.

I agree with you Andrea. Shade is so important.

Why not simply move the equipment where it is shady?

Frankly, I don't know why the barely used structure of slides, the nearby swings and sand box are even occupying the very center of the small park.

The park has been accomodating children, teens and adults for decades, but not anymore. It has become the nearly private yardspace of parents living in too many townhouses, McMansions and a huge apartment complex which make no accomodation for children.

Even nannies from across P'tree in Brookhaven.

All the park is missing, in a way, is the club house being a McDonalds.

There is ample and shady room for all that between the yet to be restored basketball court and wall along the above railroad. Why not move it?

"The park is virtually unusable in the hottest days of the year."---Andrea

AP does happen to be in the Sunny South.

I suppose we can move Ashford Memorial Playground to a cooler northern clime though.

The sandbox is unsanitary. Local cats use it, plus diapers leak into it. I wish it were gone altogether. I never let my kids or grandkids play in it. This is not the beach where wind, water, and sun constantly cleanse the sand and make it safe, not to mention all the lovely salt minerals in natural beach sand. This sand is stagnant, and I would be afraid to take a sample and have it tested for bacteria.

"The sandbox is unsanitary. Local cats use it, plus diapers leak into it. I wish it were gone altogether."---Lucy Mauterer

Best argument I've heard yet for a swimming pool.

Right alongside the doggie park.

Georgian Hills is on our list. Keep reading Patch for when it comes up!

Titania - I've been wanting to fix that for months now. Just haven't had the time to go and pull it apart to find the parts needed. The other one that has annoyed me for months is the busted bench that is missing part of the seat. All it would need is a painted 2x4 and some bolts.

YES, I totally agree! The bike-go-round is so fun for the kids and we DEFINITELY need to find someone to repair it!!

"Why not have some shade trees planted to get natural shade? ..."

That's been done. The already large trees planted will grow; but, for the price of a hat, no one seems want to let Nature take its course; and the same people now insisting on shade will then complain there's not enough sunshine.

I would totally show up to help plant more trees. Especially fruit trees or trees that grow into nice climbing trees for the kids to explore. The trees that have been planted by kind neighbors over the last few years have been wonderful additions.

"Especially fruit trees or trees that grow into nice climbing trees for the kids to explore. The trees that have been planted by kind neighbors over the last few years have been wonderful additions."----Ester

When DeKalb County were putting in the holes for the all the trees planted the last few years, I initially had a discussion with their on-site foreman and asked if they could put in fruit trees. I also told him I'd find out just what kind of willow (not weeping) would correct two run-off problems (which still exist) without attracting mosquitos. The next time I saw him, and they were still putting in holes, he told me that he did speak with the county supervisor but the types of trees to go in had already been dictated.

Still, they did a great job.

Phil - I chaired the parks committee for the C4ND group that raised funds for the study and can assure you we looked at all of that for each of the parks. The county maintains the grass and the mulch around the playground areas. We have occasional park cleanup days at Ashford Park that have been organized by the neighborhood association, APCA. For the cleanup days, the county has also supplied part of the pine straw and mulch for the planted areas that volunteers spread around, while the balance has come from local businesses....I believe at the last cleanup Debbie Leonard, a local realtor, provided most of the pine straw. Other than the large playground equipment, all of the toys there have come from the families in the neighborhood. The cleanliness of the bathrooms have been a joint effort between the county and the APCA hiring someone to come in and clean the bathrooms.

Phil, last year I cleaned the bathrooms three days a week for a very nominal fee to the homeowners association. It looked as though the county had picked that task back up this year and no one approached me about doing it so I haven't been doing it this year. It is good to have neighbor eyes on the bathroom though because things do get damaged and need attention.

"I chaired the parks committee for the C4ND group that raised funds for the study and can assure you we looked..."----Corey Self

...at the 'clutter' at Ashford Memorial Park and, typical of C4ND, decreed to call things not for what they are and instead for what they are not.

In this case, we decreed the "clutter" to be "donations."

Our donations of course..

Fred - I agree with you that some of the toys need to be tossed out rather than donated to the park, but I think most parents recycle usable toys their children no longer use for the benefit of other children using the park. I've seen a few toys in the past though that were busted up and needed to be tossed. I just carry them to the dumpster in the corner and drop them in. I figure it's up to those using the toys to maintain the safety of them after they are donated.

If toys are broken to the point they have become unusable, dump them in the dumpster.

"Also, the park has become a dumping ground for crappy old toys."---Fred

Actually most those toys are not crappy. The parents will simply not tighten a screw or oil a chain.

No one bothers themselves to maintain. Just buy new while leaving the unmaintained left there unused.

Yes! I agree. All the toys are turning the park into an eye sore.

God, I know. Toys at a playground? Totally ridiculous. Next thing you know these parents will actually be wanting safe equipment for their kids to play on!

Seriously. I can't believe people are focusing on the toys and the people who visit the park (last time I checked nannies were allowed to go to the playground!) than ways to make the park a fabulous one for our neighborhood.

"God, I know. Toys at a playground? Totally ridiculous. Next thing you know..."---anon

So? We are to feel guilty because you never had to pick up your toys and clean up your bedroom?

Corey,

Seeing how you are familiar with the park---and being on C4DK---can you tell us whose idea it was for the new club house to be as grossly oversized as it is---compared to the structure it replaced and that structure's correct proportion to the park?

More is not necessarily better.

don - I believe you can thank Dekalb County for the size of the clubhouse. Specifically, I'm told it was constructed under Vernon Jones.

"I believe you can thank Dekalb County for the size of the clubhouse. Specifically, I'm told it was constructed under Vernon Jones."---Corey Self

That doesn't answer my question. Whose idea was it?

"God, I know. Toys at a playground? Totally ridiculous. Next thing you know these parents..."---Anon

...may have the consideration for their neighbors to compromise:

Put a toy pen, in the otherwise useless verandah section of the Mini-Country Club House facing the parking lot, for depositing toys used upon the parents or their nannies leaving the park.

And please don't tell me or anyone else that it would require this new (but still nullifiable) governance to approve or not. Or even do it or not.

If people have the money to rent the clubhouse and show movies, they, even if they skip one such event, have the money for a simple toy pen.

"Some even buy the plants with their own money."---Danielle

There was a time when, except for very major items, a neighborhood's garden club operating out of a shed would take care of a neighborhood's small park.

Now, it's become the object of persons literally drunk with power operating from a pub.

Should it be no wonder that they want things even more shady?

PS: Danielle, let me expand on that. It may be a solution.

The garden club members would simply take bulbs, small outgrowth azelas, etc. from their own gardens and together decide just where the neighborhood's little park needed some.

I have day lily bulbs, for example, that I transplanted from new home to new home. They orignally came from the pine woods in Doraville from along what had obviously been the footings of that areas original settlers's cabins back in the 1840s.

If the neighborhood wanted something major done, they'd have cake sales or the like to, even eventually, raise the money---tax free.

"Fast growing"? After moving the kiddie equipment into the shade beside the tennis courts along the railroad wall, and add a tricyle rink there, we can put some Mimosas in the interior of the tricyle loop now domeering the center of the park. Their roots shouldn't extend futher than the tricyle loop---that should then be augmented with serious speed-bumps to encourage the kiddies to use the new rink.

We could also trellis the railroad wall to grow wisteria, which in a few years, would be climable.

Mr. don Gabacho,

“We could also trellis the railroad wall to grow wisteria, which in a few years, would be climbable.”

Great idea! Utilizing adjacent vertical space for a climbing wall!

Please pass the yellow mustard!

"Great idea! Utilizing adjacent vertical space for a climbing wall!---Hamburger

While the footing of the trelllised wall can be as wide and deep in pine straw to cushion any fall.

honestly, dog parks + lots of kids is not a great mix.

not to mention, dog parks have been experiencing lots of "abandoned" pet issues lately ... people just leave their dogs there instead of finding another home or shelter. The economy has not been kind to pets.

just my $.02.

I think a dog park might be a really good idea, provided it was well-maintained and folks were responsible. I hate having to ask neighbors to leash their dogs, but the fact is that loose dogs and crowds of small children aren't always compatible. A dog park would be as easy as a fence, and it would give our furry friends a place to run as well while not disturbing any kids who are afraid of or allergic to dogs.

"Dog Park anyone?"

Haven't you a yard for your dog?

If you don't. Why have one?

"I think a dog park might be a really good idea, provided it was well-maintained and folks were responsible."

Like they are with the toys left at the park to not clutter their own yards, if they have any, or apartments?

"Also beats the current scenario of owners just letting the dogs run around not on a leash."----Bryan

I've never seen that in Ashford Memorial Playground. It just doesn't happen.

"I would love to see climbing structures for the older kids - love the comment about a zip line!" ---Jen

Will you love to pay for the insurance?

"Water feature (like Piedmont or Centennial Park) would be fantastic or...a pool that could provide...etc."

Do you know what the acreage of the small park is?

"Why not continue the concrete path around the perimeter of the park - one large loop? Great for..."

Not "continue": replace the one already there, at the center, to the utter detriment of the 'park,' for the tricyle rink to surround the toy area moved to the railroad wall beside the tennis court.

"Shade is a must!"

It's shady there.

"I would also rather see rubber material as apposed to the mulch in the play area."

How about grass? Grass is associated with "parks."

"I think its time we get rid of the broken toys or at least find a way to weed them out once they really start falling apart."

A simple sign should do----reading: "No clutter. $1,000 fine."

Parents and nannies may then get the message to take their kids' toys back home with them at the end of the day. If not, just have them, if unattended, all thrown away at sunset.

"We also have to keep in mind that adding a pool, shade, etc. means that more people will want to use the playground - parking may become more of a challenge"

I just can't wait for the triple-decker parking deck!

I suppose it can double for older kids' "climbing structure." Rubberized of course.

Although I love pools, I have to agree that we have 3 already; Lynwood, Briarwood and Murphy Candler. Instead of a new one at Ashford, I think we should make vast improvements to the ones already in existence. Maybe instead at Ashford Park we could do some out of ground water spouts like you mentioned? Just something wet for the kids to play in the dog days of summer. Also, I agree with replacing the wood chips! There are several options on the Surface America website under "poured products" as ideas. Shade is certainly something we need to protect the little ones as well.

We used to call them lawn sprinlkers.

Good idea.

The enclosed Dog Park at Brookrun is the closest to District 1. Our dogs love it there. It's also a great place to socialize with other dog owners.

"I haven't seen a setup like at piedmont park where it is fenced in..."---Bryan

And I remmber Piedmont Park when people could bring a keg a beer and have a soft ball game. Now dogs have more rights in Piedmont Park than people.

Great plan.

Corey Self @ 2:07p -

1) The type of mapping you suggest has already been done (at the expense of DeKalb taxpayers) by the reputable firm of EDAW, which is recognized as one of the top urban design groups in the world. EDAW is now known as AECOM, and their web site is http://www.aecom.com/. EDAW developed the DeKalb Parks and Rec Comprehensive Master Plan a few years back, and they did the kind of concentric circles you suggest. You can see and download these maps at the following web site: http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks/pdf/Full_Size_Maps.pdf (FYI - EDAW also did the master plan for Chastain Park Conservancy.)

2) During the research phase of the Comp Plan, EDAW engaged Malvado Consulting Group http://www.malvada.net/ to hold a series of community meetings to determine what people wanted in their local parks. The results of these meetings can be found in the Parks Comprehensive Master plan at the following web site:
http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks/pdf/DekalbParks&RecMasterPlan_Complete.pdf

I would hate to see the new city pay for something that has already been done, or to see you spend a lot of time duplicating an existing set of maps.

"The C4ND and Brookhaven Yes groups..."---Corey Self

Already "planned" it.

So? What's the point of us mere residents discussing it?

As it is, I think the 18th hole at the Captitol City golf club should be donated to a dog park in anticipation of the first dog to pay taxes to the City of Brookhaven.

Mr. don Gabacho,

“As it is, I think the 18th hole at the Capitol City golf club should be donated to a dog park in anticipation of the first dog to pay taxes to the City of Brookhaven.”

Wait till they discover eminent domain . . .

Special hamburger anyone? Hey! We need some more thin sliced onions and pickles over here!

"I would hate to see the new city pay for something that has already been done, or to see you spend a lot of time duplicating an existing set of maps."---Brookhaven Maven

I'd hate to see what C4DK came up for their (our) plan being AECOM's.

I take that back.

"Wait till they discover eminent domain."----Hamburger

I'm sure they did a long time ago.

As it is, I have already decided that, if this so-called city is not nullified and they get their own enforcers, for the first time in my life I'll have to excercise my 2nd Amendment rights.

Brookhaven Maven - Thanks for the links. I looked through the maps and a good part of the 400+ page plan and this is very similar to what I would suggest we need for the city. I hope whoever gets elected will use this rather than spend a bunch of money to reinvent the wheel.

don - You may want to be careful talking about taking up arms against any government in this day and age. Just the words being uttered could land your annonymous self in trouble if construed to mean that you would do something with your arms.

"don - You may want to be careful talking about taking up arms against any government in this day and age."----Corey

Believing I would have to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights is not "talking about taking up arms against any government..."

Meanwhile you posted:

"We [C4DK] obtained information from the county regarding what their annual spending/revenue was for the parks and provided that to CVI as a baseline."

Why would the so-called "citizens group" C4DK provide any information to the Carl Vincent Institute?

Moreover, why would the CVI accept the information from C4DK and not get any and all relevent information directly for themselves?

The study was billed as "independent."

Was it not?

What, and how much, other information was supplied to the CVI by the so-called "citizens group" C4DK?

Mr. Pastore - Why don't we meet face to face to discuss this a bit more? I'll gladly walk you through how the citizens provided information to CVI for the study. I suggest we meet at Ashford Park as it is a short walking distance from your house. How does the weekend look for you? Say Saturday morning?

"Why don't we meet face to face to discuss this a bit more? I'll gladly walk you through how the citizens provided information to CVI for the study.---Corey

Just step up and answer the question here

"What, and how much, other information was supplied to the CVI by the so-called 'citizens group' C4DK?"

And while your at it:

1) Just who paid for the CVI study? And where did they get the money?

2) Just where in the Constituion of the State of Georgia does it say that townships, somehow being prohibited, would require, as your fellow member of the so-called "citizens committee," C4DK, "State Representative" Mike Jacobs, declared would require a state-wide referendum to allow?

3) Just how does the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution not read:

"...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"?

I like most of your ideas. When I hear "fast growing shrubs and crepe myrtles (which must be half the trees there now) I hear nuisance bushes and NO even shade.

DeKalb has planted the largest transplantable trees possible. They will be providing more shade while half the park already has plenty of "shade" for the play-alone plastic contraptions they leave cluttered in the park.

This isn't even a matter of 'If you can't move these people to the shade, move the shade to these people!'

don - Esther is full of great ideas on how the city could be a shining example of sustainability, as are several others in the community. Hopefully those elected will take note and realize we have some incredible assets in the community when it comes to sustainable planning.

"don - Hopefully those elected will take note and realize we have some incredible assets in the community when it comes to sustainable planning."---Corey Self

I promise you, we don't need any new governance to plant even a day lily bulb.

Well, if they insist, they can always augment the helmets, elbow and knee pads that they alreay have with rubberized suits.

Phil @10:52p -

DeKalb County has a tree bank and will provide full-sized trees for free to any of the parks. They deliver for free, too. All one has to do is dig the hole and plant it.

"It looks like that shade is a priority--whether by installing sun shades and/or shade trees."---Phil

Where do you live?

THE TREES HAVE ALREADY BEEN "INSTALLED" except the one spot where no tree can be because of the huge plastic McDonaldesque contraption there that is somehow the center to which the park and neihborhood must revolve.

Don't move the contraption into the shade along an availbale wall.

Just drive eveyone into the ground with your utter thoughlessness.

"DeKalb County has a tree bank and will provide full-sized trees for free to any of the parks. They deliver for free, too. All one has to do is dig the hole and plant it."---Brookhaven Maven

In the case of Ashford Park, they dug the holes too.

Interesting, when the DeKalb Parks department allowed them to expand the parking area by dumping Truck Loads of crush and Run at Murphey Candler in the flood plain (a no no but they ignore those rules) I asked about getting trees from the tree bank to put around the expanded parking area.

I was told by the Arborist that before that can happen the arborist has to go through several steps to get it approved and that because there is only one arborist there wasn't time to do that.

When folks understand the associated costs for development, redevelopment, and maintenance of specialized play surfaces and equipment, just what is their value? And, to what degree do they need to be realistically developed, installed and maintained for community satisfaction?

And, so you have created a beautiful park, will Brookhaven citizens utilize it or will they eventually be displaced by others from neighboring areas? Then you have to concern yourselves with unauthorized after hour activities and how they are addressed and their related cost.

I love me some good apples, but from first bloom to that first crunchy bite, apples require substantial annual maintenance. Is that in the budget? Flora needs to be wisely selected for low maintenance and drought resistance.

Please pass the yellow mustard!

"When folks understand the associated costs for development, redevelopment, and maintenance of specialized play surfaces and equipment..."---Hamburger

They'll charge it until they can foist off the expenses plus penalites onto the taxpayers.

Geez Don Gazpacho Garbacchio or whatever-

This is simply a forum about what our wish list for Ashford Park would be- looks to me like you spent all evening regurgitating the posts you didn't agree with or wanted to nitpick and spew your negativity all over the board. Take it somewhere else- you don't even make sense most of the time anyway. And, here's a thought- this evening instead of trolling the blog - how about sitting out on your porch or deck or wherever, have a glass of wine or a beer and enjoy life a little!

HamBurger, there has been an apple tree across the street from Ashford Park for maybe 25-30 years. No one prunes it, no one ferilizes it, it gets no attention whatsoever, but it produces a ton of apples faithfully every year and I go down and pick a handful every year. They are crisp, delicious little apples. I think an apple tree, or a fig would be a wonderful addition to the park.

"I love me some good apples, but from first bloom to that first crunchy bite, apples require substantial annual maintenance."----Hamburger

Only if you're not satisfied with the equivilent of unattended apple trees would do: produce crab-apples which any Yankee can tell you makes for excellent apple pies.

Meanwhile, apple trees make for good climbing trees; whereas peach trees, whose branches become brittle, do not.

Fig trees, which grow huge and shady hereabouts, produce plenty of fruit with no special attention while you can make a tea of its leaves for great mouthwash.

They're more for crawling up than climbing up.

Birds like the thick canopy and fragrance fig trees provide for general roosting on the hottest days and nesting. Squirrels like the fruit too.

But why take any cues from Nature, when a privileged character, who must have gotten his grand design from an ten-year old golfcart mechanic found on a McDonald's slide, appears to be in charge?

Ms. Lucy, I understand there are exceptions, and in Brookhaven there are a few old pear trees in the area that seem to elude bugs and worms as well. But, this is not the rule. By the way, periodic pruning of fruit trees is necessary to insure their longevity. Figs are a good idea as they require no maintenance other than annual pruning. I am sure Mr. don Gabacho will be glad to provide squirrel control!

Special hamburger?

HamBurger, in South Carolina where I grew up, my uncles both had farms. My uncle Graham had an apple orchard which he did not have time to mess with other than go out and pick the apples in season. The trees were always loaded in the early fall and I remember sitting in them eating apples until I got a tummyache. We had lots of pies, jelly, applesauce, spiced apple rings, and bushels to share with our large family. I don't think the old varieties need all that much maintenance. Maybe the newer hybrids do.

"...spew your negativity all over the board..."---Raven

"Negativity"?

Since when has our neighborhood's yard become your yard?

Since when is it alright to leave mulitudes of unmaintianed toys to clutter our yard while, obviously, not yours?

When was the last time you walked through the center of the park and not have to be excessively aware of the virtual obstacle course it is allowed to be to simply not trip over any of the mess---left behind?

Since when has it become "negative" to point out that the park is not for virtually toddlers only?

Point out that there is "shade" begging for the remedy sought?

Since when has it become necessary to point out that, at the end of the day, you have to pick up your toys and clean your----OUR---room?

Since when do mature adults, though parents, have to be told?

When it can be as easy as even using the bicyle racks on their own SUVs?

"I am sure Mr. don Gabacho will be glad to provide squirrel control!"---Hamburger

:-) I can assure you and all that, after all these years, I'm still into feeding the squirrels rather than eatting them. Even with Gulden's.

Meantime, it's occurred to me that one fig should do for at least one of the two run-off problems left outstanding. Fig trees do absorb lots of water while, unlike willows, surprisinly do not attract gnats; and like I said are upwardly crawable; and having a built-in saftey net so to speak.

Moreover, being decidious, there will be plenty of sunshine during most of the year to nourish lush, soft grass.

The one run-off problem left appears to have been treated with a verticle underground tube. Like a rock-covered well.

It may already be serving to seed a sink-hole.

Oh Don, Don, Don-

What on earth are you talking about? You wouldn't be putting words in my mouth now would you? Nothing was ever mentioned in my post about any of the nonsense that you replied with. I simply stated that you don't seem to bring anything positive to this blog at all. It feels like you are attacking people and hopefully from here on out people will just ignore your sarcastic comments.

PS: "It may already be serving to seed a sink-hole."---Me

In which case, we won't have to worry about the McDonaldesque centerpiece.

Better hurry.

The only thing "negative" about dedicating space for a kiddie-park in the shade beside the tennis courts and along the railway wall is "negative" only to those who demand everyone else in the neighborhood must live by how they decide must (somehow) be best for their toddlers only.

And now their dogs too.

"You wouldn't be putting words in my mouth now would you."---Raven

Absolutely not Dr Jeff.

Still trying to attribute to me what you had just said.

The ruse is worse than juvenile.

"Did your committee consider this possibility?"---Brookhaven Maven

Sure they did. For their golf carts.

Excellent idea

And they still need to connect the trail in Blackburn to Keswick

Brookhaven Maven - I agree with you whole-heartedly. We did not look at this specific project as we were not tasked with planning the parks system. That job will ultimately be handled by the elected officials with input from citizens. The goal of the C4ND parks committee was to gain an understanding of what condition each of the parks was currently in and how much the county was spending to maintain/improve the parks in our area. We obtained information from the county regarding what their annual spending/revenue was for the parks and provided that to CVI as a baseline. We also took a detailed inventory of the amenities at each park inside the footprint of the city and provided this information to the CVI group to perform their analysis of what the parks budget could potentially look like. We looked at the age and overall condition of the facilities and started soliciting ideas from citizens and the "friends of the parks" groups to identify what people would like to see. Once the study was fully funded and paid for, C4ND went into a dormant status. BrookhavenYes has it's own parks committee and I shared with them what we had learned on C4ND. Many of the members from the C4ND parks committee joined the BY parks committee and have continued to ask residents what they would like to see in their parks. (This article series is a continuation of that effort.) Hope that is helpful.

Phil @ 7:28a -

Roy E. Wilson, Director - DeKalb Parks & Recreation is where I'd start. There have been changes in the reporting and duties structure since I last got plants from the County Nursery (aka tree bank). Wilson's number is (404) 371-3005. His e-mail is
roywils@dekalbcountyga.gov and you may have better response using that.

Per the DK Tree Ordinance, developers are required to replant particular species of trees with greater than a certain caliber, whenever they remove more trees from the development site than allowed by code. If the Commissioners have allowed dense development (as in Town Sembler), the builder may replant in common areas. If there is no room on the tract at all, developers are given the alternative compliance of donating trees to the tree bank.

The last time I was down at the nursery a couple of years ago, there were hundreds of balled-in-burlap BIG trees in the bank. Some were four-inch plus caliper trunks and were 18 to 20 feet tall with a substantial canopy.

Since there have been a LOT of trees cut in the Brookhaven City footprint (Lynwood, Town Sembler's huge oaks, Oglethorpe Woods, and along Dresden to name a few, I'm sure dozens of the tree bank trees resulted from development in this area. As such, I would think DK could be required to give those back to this area.

As I stated above with Murphey Candler I was told the arborist has to do several things and since there is only one arborist its difficult to get that work done that would allow trees from the tree bank.

"As I stated above with Murphey Candler I was told the arborist has to do several things and since there is only one arborist its difficult to get that work done that would allow trees from the tree bank."----Eric

Did you tell him you are a lawyer?

No. Why? Do you think that would have helped? If so get me their number and I'll call and let them know.....

And today's phrase for the day is "dripping with sarcasm" (h/t to Phil and Kathy C)

"Do you think that would have helped?"----Eric

As usual, you got it backwards.

I have no idea of the economic status of the young folks that came to shoot hoops. I just know they used foul language and many left their food trash on the ground. I know this because I used to go up there and pick it up. I am totally not an elitist but this is a playground mostly for young families now. That is the current demographic here. It was not so 15 years ago when I bought my home here. The park was virtually deserted then. Not sure I understand the meaning of your comment.

Lucy, I have been here for the better part of 37 years and I can tell you that there was a big push to get rid of the " riff raff" hanging out at the park back in the mid 90's. The guys that used the courts were not from AP and people didn't want them coming here to play.

"I just know they used foul language and many left their food trash on the ground."---Lucy

This requires some Cultural IQ.

As mayor, I'll be glad to tell them, in their own lingo, to respect the community property and that will take care of 50% of the foul language and litter.

I will then suggest that they save their foul language and ltter to be dumped on their consulates' properties which will not only take care of the rest of the foul language and litter at the park, but also the whole neighborhood.

I know this because I used to go up there and pick it up. I am totally not an elitist but this is a playground mostly for young families now."---Lucy

No. It is a "park" while "mostly for young families," as the demographic now, is not most likely---much less 'just.'

"Lucy, I have been here for the better part of 37 years and I can tell you that there was a big push to get rid of the " riff raff" hanging out..."----Kathie

Easily remedied in this day and age. Seriously: while economizing on precious park space, strategcially placed microphones in the restored basket-ball court can be programmed to detect foul langage and automatically trigger the kiddies' sprinkler system for the self-washing, also, court.

With all due respect Kathie, it's not elitist when we do not want a bunch of ne'er do wells casing - er- hanging out in our neighborhood. We have enough petty crime as well as our share of burglaries in this area and quite frankly, I don't want to roll out the red carpet for them. The boys and girls club is just around the corner and provides activities for those less privileged. Can we please keep this forum for what it's really about instead of all of the Negative Nancy's casting their black cloud over it?

"Can we please keep this forum for what it's really about instead of all of the Negative Nancy's casting their black cloud over it?"---Raven

What this discussion is about is "What do you want to see in Ashford Park."

Not what you or anyone else decide what we must see.

"With all due respect Kathie, it's not elitist when we do not want a bunch of ne'er do wells casing - er- hanging out in our neighborhood. We have enough petty crime as well as our share of burglaries in this area and quite frankly, I don't want to roll out the red carpet for them."

Who says they were "ne'er do wells"? Does African American kids= crime spree? Did anyone ask them who they were or where they lived? All I saw was a bunch of African American teens playing basket ball in the park, but lets all be honest here... some people thought it gave the neighborhood a " bad image" to have that be the first thing you see when you pull of p'Tree. A park is for EVERYONE... not just upper middle class toddlers and kids. That was many years ago... just don't want to see it brushed under the rug.

"Who says they were "ne'er do wells'?"---Kathie

Elitists do.

Note the near country club sized house at the park now.

Obviously, as Dean has put it several times, for the area's "gentrification" by those who know best from across P'Tree in Brookhaven.

I don't care what color you are - if you can't show some common decency and respect to property and to those around you - then - NO- you aren't welcome here. That's not about being an "elitist"- it's about being a decent human being. Now, go ahead and sit and wait until the moment my comment is posted, and type out exactly what I said and then add your snide remarks. I'm off to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL evening outside with my friends and family. Couldn't ask for better weather on an August night in Atlanta!

"I don't care what color you are - if you can't show some common decency and respect to property and to those around you - then - NO- you aren't welcome here. That's not about being an "elitist"- it's about being a decent human being. Now..."

"With all due respect Kathie, it's not elitist when we do not want a bunch of ne'er do wells casing - er- hanging out in our neighborhood."---cRaven

We know. You prefer very-do-wells casing -er- annexing our neighborhood.

"I don't want to roll out the red carpet for them."

You got that part right.

"...ahead and sit and wait until the moment my comment is posted, and type out exactly what I said and then add your snide remarks..."

"With all due respect Kathie, it's not elitist when we do not want a bunch of ne'er do wells casing - er- hanging out in our neighborhood."---cRaven

Your comment gave me a flashback 1997 when my cousins from Turkey were visiting with me in Ashford Park. They had a toddler at the time and I took them to picnic at AP Memorial on a beautiful Saturday morning under one of the few trees over by [what was] the basketball court. A woman walked by with her dog which proceeded to squat right in front of us as we munched on our lunch. The "lady" walked on ... my cousin, being a big city boy from Istanbul said, "Excuse me, my son is playing around here. Please pick up your dog's poop." She whirled on him and said, "Why don't you just go back to your own damn country," and walked calmly away. I was embarrassed for my country and my neighborhood. We are bigger than that and I know that we can picnic with our families, walk with our dogs, have parties, play tennis and basketball without devolving into the Lord of the Flies. Appropriate conduct is a social and law enforcement question and we need to mindful of it whether there is or is not a basketball court at AP.

"We are bigger than that and I know that we can picnic with our families, walk with our dogs..."---Kim Gokce

Unfortunately, Ashford Park's park should be off-limits to dogs, leashed or not, despite there being, as has been one posted concern, the numbers of kids there.

The proposals already made to even fence off part of the small park indicates an impossible scenario:

Every driver within miles bringing their dogs for, in part, "dog owners to socialize."

I have to ask, again, to one and all:

"When was the last time you were in Piedmont Park's dog park?

That is without your galoshes, a gas mask and a fly-squatter"?

I'm not sure, but in recent months Piedmont's dog park either may have been closed or people are bringing pressure to close it, for the very same reason.

P.S.: "When was the last time you were in Piedmont Park's dog park? That is without your galoshes, a gas mask and a fly-squatter?"---Me

Or even near it? Within the equivilent of a city block or two?

P.S.: And a fly-swatter?

"A doggy park."---Timothy

Have you ever been to Piedmont Park's doggie park?

That is without galoshes and a gas-mask?

Ashford Memorial Playground hasn't the room, as it has been made out to be, for even adults.

"This is such a great park but my 3 year old active daughter gets bored."---MJF

At the rate this cityhooding is going, she sounds like she'd be the ideal candidate for City Manager.

There been numerous great ideas on this thread. It sounds like most folks want sunshades at Ashford Park. As posted on the Patch, there is a city of Brookhaven Mayoral candidate forum tonight where I will speaking/listening and answering/asking questions about topics like the ones discussed under this article. The forum is at the Briarwood Rec. Center and starts at 6:30. Please stop by and let me know what you think about this and any other issues. We have limited time before the city begins operation on December 17th so the more early input we have the better.
Thanks,
J.Max Davis

"As posted on the Patch, there is a city of Brookhaven Mayoral candidate forum tonight where I will ..." J. Max Davis

Will it be under the protection of DeKalb County police?

And no other?

Moreover, will the Captiol City Golf Club be donating its 18th Hole for at least a dog park?

"How about adding a golf cart charging station?"---Hamburger

Actually a well placed water-fountain would be a nice additon to the single water-fountain located next to the tennis court entrance.

Maybe then the parents won't have to listen to their kids complaining "It's so hot" while the parent's themselves are relieved from their thirst induced deliriums.

I agree Jenny. It's too bad that grown adults cannot have a legitimate discussion without someone who obviously has no life, projecting their negative, sour attitude on the rest of us. What a sad existence!

"Off to the park now..."---Jenny

Good to hear. While you're at it do take notice of how even the kids are moving out of the park center. To ride thier tricycles or kick a ball down the incline by the railroad wall beside the tennis courts: in the shade.

Best to ignore trolls.

"...maybe I will see you there..."---Jenny

Nope. Not in the mid-day heat of an August day in Georgia.

"Best to ignore trolls."---Dean

Slur emanating from your air-conditoned room no doubt.

"I agree Jenny. It's too bad that grown adults cannot have a legitimate discussion without someone who obviously has no life, projecting their negative, sour attitude on the rest of us. What a sad existence!"---Raven

I'm certainly not subjecting myself, any children or even dog to today's heat outside..

What's your excuse?

Sorry Sybil,

Only a "troll" would suggest that or anything else not already prescribed and inviolate of scrutiny.

Sybil that is a lovely idea! And what a beautiful 86 degree low humidity day it was here in the ATL. Gorgeous day to plant a garden if I do say so myself!

"...And what a beautiful 86 degree low humidity day it was here in the ATL. Gorgeous day to plant a garden if I do say so myself!..." ----cRaven

Actually cRaven, except for weeding, gardening is mostly for Spring and Fall no matter if you say otherwise yourelf.

Sybil & Raven- There are a lot of people in the community who share this idea, including several who have posted in this column. You may want to check out the Sustainable Brookhaven group.

Corey,

Just answer the question: "What, and how much, other information was supplied to the CVI by the so-called 'citizens group' C4DK?"

And while your at it:

1) Just who paid for the CVI study? And where did they get the money?

2) Just where in the Constituion of the State of Georgia does it say that townships, somehow being prohibited, would require, as your fellow member of the so-called "citizens committee," C4DK, "State Representative" Mike Jacobs, declared would require a state-wide referendum to allow?

3) Just how does the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution not read:

"...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"?

Mr. Pastore - I'm afraid I can't answer all of your questions. I'll send you an email to spare the rest of the posters our back and forth on an issue that does not relate to this article in a any way.

Mr. Corey, that is a problem. Whenever anyone asks specific questions about C$ND, there are no answers forthcoming.

Why?

A lot of folks got hijacked into a new city by s slick political machine run by Rep. Mike Jacobs that many of the same people put into office. Instead of dealing with state related issues, he slowly pushed for a new city that caught many in the south by surprise.

What he should have been doing was tending to state business, and using his influence to make changes to our county government and school system. Do you think he can now shift his attention to these important issues?

Now, care to answer the C$ND questions previously asked? Maybe we would like to know?

Please pass the yellow mustard!

'I'll send you an email to spare the rest of the posters our back and forth on an issue that does not relate to this article in a any way.'---Corey

It, along with other fundamental issues long stonewalled by State Rep Jacobs and C4DK-morphed-Brookhaven-Yes, certainly does

There's no "back-and-forth" about it.

I'm doing you a favor to publically explain, if any explanation possible, what you publically described not to be an "independent" study.

Thanks Phil. I am a first time poster and probably won't return because of this person's negativity.. Do you know how to stop receiving emails whenever someone replies to a post? Thank you :)

"How about allowing just ONE thread..."---Phil

The latest reason:
Crayola
4:35 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012

"Donald Perra, Its BIG, BACK AND BOLD.

El PRI sabe. No es bueno.

No hablas de la votación. ¿comprende?"

Phil, Did you need translation?

"Don[gabacho]ald Bitch, IT'S BIG, B[L]ACK AND BOLD.

PRI* knows. It's not nice.

Don't speak about the vote. understand?"

"PRI": the MxGov's ruling party.

Saving the shill for later?