Friday, September 19, 2008

Hundreds of Parks will Sprout as National Park(ing) Day Celebrates Green Spaces

Press Release

National Park(ing) Day in Atlanta — Friday, Sept. 19

Hundreds of Parks will Sprout as National Park(ing) Day Celebrates Green Spaces

Atlanta, Georgia (September 17, 2008) – On Friday, Sept. 19, hot Georgia asphalt will sprout green grass for a day in order to celebrate and promote the need for more parks and green space in the city. In a local effort synchronized with a one-day national event to transform parking spaces into “public parks” spearheaded by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), the City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will collaborate with Rollins Financial Counseling, Inc., Park Pride and The Home Depot Foundation to raise awareness and support the need for more parks. Other groups around the City will be creating similar sites to illustrate the effort.

National Park(ing) Day – celebrated in more than seventy cities across the US – is sponsored by The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that is dedicated to conserving usable land in cities for parks, playgrounds, gardens and green space so that city living isn’t just convenient but lovely.

The public is encouraged to create their own public park and is also invited to enjoy the planned local Park(ing) Day parks at the following locations:

  • Downtown: The City of Atlanta will host a site in front of City Hall called “HOME GROWN,” featuring local produce, art and music from 11 am until 2 pm. The outdoor, family friendly park will showcase music from Atlanta’s own singer-songwriter, Heather Luttrell and her father, Ralph Luttrell, art by local artist, Gloria Patino, and produce from Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms’ leader, K. Rashid Nuri.
  • Midtown: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) will host a site at The Varsity at the corner of Spring Street and North Avenue highlighting parks as places for active recreation
  • Buckhead: Pace Academy will host a site in front of Whole Foods at 77 West Paces Ferry Road
  • Georgia Tech: The Planners Program will host a site near Tech Square
Atlanta has been known as, “The Gateway To The South,” and with our current leadership and visionaries, we are planting the seeds to grow a New Green South.

With Atlanta’s help, more than 400 temporary parks will be created on Friday in public parking spaces across the country. Photos from last year’s event and ideas for creating your own public park, as well as a full list of cities with maps and details are available online at tpl.org/parkingday.

For more information on the day’s events or to learn how to get involved, please contact Karen Clarke at karen.clarke@tpl.org, Mandy Schmitt at mschmitt@atlantaga.gov or Jennie Damiani at jennie_damiani@hotmail.com.

About the Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than two million acres nationwide. TPL depends on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations. For more information, visit TPL on the Web at www.tpl.org. For information about TPL in Georgia, contact Karen Clarke, karen.clarke@tpl.org, (404) 873-7306 ext. 225.

About Rollins Financial Counseling, Inc.
Rollins Financial Counseling, Inc. believes that financial health is only part of a wholly healthy family and community, and is pleased to be participating in an event that promotes beauty in the cities of America.

Rollins Financial Counseling, Inc. is an SEC registered investment advisory firm that was established in Atlanta, Georgia in 1990. Rollins Financial offers independent investment management services for individuals, small businesses and corporations. Rollins Financial currently manages assets in excess of $175 million, employing various investment strategies depending on the specific objectives of each client. As independent advisors, Rollins Financial is able to provide the most objective advice as they receive no compensation from any third party entities.

For information about Rollins Financial Counseling, Inc., contact Cassie Elder, celder@rollinsfinancial.com – 404-892-7967.

For Further Information about the City of Atlanta National Park(ing) Day Site contact:

Mandy Schmitt
mschmitt@atlantaga.gov

Jennie Damiani
jennie_damiani@hotmail.com

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