Find a new hobby or dive into a favorite activity with Cobb PARKS winter season activity guide. The issue features an article showcasing participants in Therapeutic Recreation taking part in the Special Olympics, a holiday lineup that promises fun for the whole family, exciting events like the Holiday Artisan Market, a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt, a Galentines party, and more. Cobb recreation centers are introducing new programs, with additional offerings added throughout the season, so bookmark the page and check back often.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Pope volleyball team members recognized by the Cobb Board of Education for their Class 5A state championship.
Submitted information and photo:
Pope High School recently capped off an incredible Fall Sports season by winning three 5A state championships in Volleyball and Cross Country. All three state champions were congratulated and celebrated at the December Board of Education meeting.
The 2024 Volleyball title was the Lady Greyhounds 6th championship all-time and second in the last three years. The Greyhounds won the 2022 6A title and took runner-up in 2023. Two senior players, Amanda Vlkovic and Ellis Crawford, were also recently named Cobb’s Athlete of the Week. The state champs finished the 2024 season 36-5, closing out with a 16-game win streak.
“This state title was an incredible accomplishment for us,” said Head Community Coach Erica Miller. “We didn’t start the season as strongly as in years past. We played in so many close sets that we were not afraid of stress or pressure or having to compete fiercely to win. With this earned mindset and the earned confidence that comes from proving yourself repeatedly, we accomplished our dream!”
In Cross Country, the Lady Greyhounds long-distance runners ran a crushing Final 5A race in Carrollton, placing runners first, second, eighth, ninth, and thirteenth. Their overall score was 29 points. To put this in perspective, second-place McIntosh scored 152 points, giving Pope a huge margin of victory of 123 points! This team is full of talent, including overall individual state champion (and AOW winner) Josie Hutchinson. Josie outran the field to finish the 5K race at 19:15.40, nine seconds faster than her second-place teammate, Aislynn Dunn. The other three Pope finishers were Kate Rytlewski (8), Louise Delgado (9), and Ahna Hicks (13). To make things even more interesting, four of these girls are underclassmen, which means this team will be dominant for years to come.
“These ladies all have an incredible amount of talent,” said Head Coach Cathi Monk. “Winning the state title was actually a relief. Having as much team talent as we did challenged the coaching staff to make sure we did all the little things to make sure the girls were successful. Pope has a culture of inspiring athletes to do extraordinary things, and I am glad this team was able to contribute to that.”
Another highlight at Pope is their Flag Football team, which won last year’s Division 3 state championship over District rival Allatoona. This year’s team is picking up right where last year’s left off by winning Area 6 to host the first round of the playoffs. Their overall record is 21-2, and the team is ranked #73 nationally and #7 in the state. Junior QB Abbey Bensman was recently named the Division 3 Area 6 Player of the Year, and senior receiver Addie Daughtry was named Area Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, senior defender Mac Wiley was selected as Area Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
The Greyhounds Flag team took full advantage of playing at home and downed Chattahoochee and Hughes in the first round on Thursday night (December 5). They now advance to play Peach County in the Quarterfinals on December 9.
“It’s a special time around here right now,” said Greyhound Athletic Director Josh Mathews. “All these teams have been impressive, exhibiting top-level focus and determination. As someone who sees a lot of athletic events each year, these teams have demonstrated high levels of excellence. Excellence is uncommon, but Pope has been displaying it on the court, the course, and the field this year.”
That excellence is also being recognized at the collegiate level. Pope’s Class of 2025 has already had 17 student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent to pursue their sport and education at the next level. This represents 3.6% of the senior class, nearly double the national average of 2%. These athletic and academic standouts represent ten sports and 14 schools from the Power Five, D1, D2, NAIA, and D3 levels.
“This group shows why we have had such great performances over the last few years. With another signing day still to come in April, this will be one of Pope’s largest classes of college signees. Watching these young women and men obtain this highly sought-after opportunity to play at the next level has been a true treat. I can’t wait to see how they each further their educational and athletic careers in college and beyond,” concluded AD Mathews proudly.
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The Sprayberry High School football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Georgia High School Association Class 5A playoffs Friday with a 35-7 win over Newnan.
In doing so, the Yellow Jackets also set a school record for most victories in a season.
Sprayberry scored five unanswered touchdowns in the second half at Jim Frazier Stadium to move to 11-1 on the season.
Kell was defeated 42-35 Friday in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs as the Longhorns’ season ended with a 7-5 record.
According to Georgia High Football Historians Association records, the only other time Sprayberry has recorded double-digit wins in a season was in 1982. In that year, the Jackets also reached the quarterfinals in going 10-3.
No other Sprayberry team has ever advanced past that stage in 69 seasons of varsity football. In 1977, the Jackets were 8-3 and lost in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Brett Vavra has a record of 41-44 since taking over in 2017, posting three 6-5 seasons in that time.
Sprayberry has reached the playoffs for three consecutive years.
But this year, the Jackets have been dominant from the start, scoring no fewer than 23 points in a game.
Their only loss came to East Cobb rival Pope by a 34-23 score on Sept. 6.
They rolled over their next six opponents to win Region 6-AAAAA, then downed Lanier 27-14 last week to start the playoffs.
Sprayberry will have to hit the road on Friday in its quarterfinal game against No. 2 Lee County (12-0), a perennial powerhouse and state champion in 2017 and 2018.
Only one other Cobb public high school team is still in the playoffs: Hillgrove, which advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals.
North Cobb Christian also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A-A private school division.
Walton and Wheeler reached the Class 6A playoffs but were defeated in the first round.
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As you have enjoyed your Cobb parks and activities, take a few minutes to go through your favorite photos and submit your best to the Fun in the Park photo contest. You can enter photos of sports, nature, wildlife and anything else that shows why you enjoy spending time in Cobb’s parks, facilities and at events. Enter up to 10 of your best shots in the 20th annual contest. The competition is open to all photographers, amateur and pro. The entry deadline is Nov. 4. See the rules and download the entry form on the photo contest web page.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Here’s an update to our report from last month about the temporary closure of the entrance to the Johnson Ferry North trail, due to repairs.
The entrance is at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of the Chattahoochee River, and across from the entrance to Columns Drive
Reader Bob sent us the following report and the map above:
With the closure of JF North, I started running the trail from the Hyde Farm side. There was a point on the trail that linked back to the Johnson Ferry North parking lot that had been blocked off with netting to prevent anyone from using that section, but today when I ran, that netting no longer existed. I noted the section below that had been blocked off previously that is now reopened. At the point where I turned around, there was still work going on but I probably could have gotten all the way to the JF North parking lot if I had wanted to.
The closures lasted a little more than the month anticipated by the National Park Service and was to construct a new culvert.
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East Cobb Park is featured in the Cobb PARKS fall activities guide, which includes listings of classes, events and other happenings through the end of the year at county parks and recreation centers and cultural facilities.
There’s a full-page spread about the park on pp. 50-51, as well as other spotlights on recreational activities for youth and adults, as well as information about art and music classes, swimming and tennis lessons, yoga and exercise classes, therapeutic programs and special events.
There are also listings of each facility in the county, including address, hours and contact information.
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The entrance to the Johnson Ferry North trails of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will close for about a month starting on Monday due to the construction of a culvert.
The National Park Service said in a social media posting Friday that there will be heavy machinery and cranes in the area and that there “will be no access to the trails at JFN from this entrance while this work is being done.”
The entrance is located at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of the Chattahoochee River, and across from the entrance to Columns Drive (see blue star on map above).
The parking lot for the trails and a nearby boat ramp will remain open, and hikers can access the Johnson Ferry North trails via Hyde Farm.
Completion of the culvert work is expected to be finished by Oct. 9, according to the NPS, which has posted signs at the entrance explaining the closure.
The Johnson Ferry North portion of the Chattahoochee NRA has nine separate trails that stretch north along the river to Mulberry Creek, and connects with the Gold Branch Unit that’s located off Lower Roswell Road to the north and the Johnson Ferry South trails along Columns Drive.
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After a five-year hiatus, the Make-A-Wish Georgia 5K is back, promising a fun-filled, family-friendly event on Oct. 5that supports granting wishes for critically ill children in Cobb County.
Currently, 15 critically ill children in Cobb are waiting for their wishes, which range from travel experiences and medical equipment to meeting celebrities.
“We are thrilled to partner with Cobb County once again with the return of the Make-A-Wish Georgia 5K,” said Tim Earley, CEO of Make-A-Wish Georgia. “This event not only helps fund life-changing wishes but also brings our community together in a fun and meaningful way.”
This year’s race will feature a shirt design by Sneha Shastri, the winner of the road race design contest. Participants can choose from seven different sponsor levels, as well as options for individual and team entries in both timed and untimed categories. The Make-A-Wish 5K is also a qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race.
The race will start and finish at the Marietta Square, offering runners and walkers the chance to experience the scenic beauty of historic Marietta.
Participants can join for a memorable day of fun and fitness, and help make wishes come true for children in Cobb County.
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Senior Sam Mitchell is wearing Matt Hobby’s jersey No. 70 this season in his honor.
The Pope High School football team is playing host to Sprayberry on Friday in a key region game and East Cobb rivalry matchup.
Friday’s game also has been designated as the “Matt Hobby Classic,” a fundraising event honoring the late Greyhounds player and to benefit the Rally Foundation, which raises funds for research and treatments for childhood cancer.
Hobby was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in 2003 and died in 2006, shortly after graduating. The foundation was being formed at the same time by a Pope parent, and each season a home game serves as a fundraiser.
Buckets will be passed around the stands during the fame Friday in the “4Quarters4Research” for fans to fill with loose change. More than $300,000 has been raised for the Rally Foundation since its inception.
You can learn more about Matt hereand the annual fundraiser here. Special T-shirts also are on sale with proceeds going to the Rally Foundatin.
The varsity football player who is wearing Hobby’s No. 70 jersey this season is senior offensive lineman Sam Mitchell.
He was chosen over the summer for embodying Hobby’s spirit.
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Cobb Schools’ Athlete of the Week (AOW) program is a weekly recognition of male and female student-athletes performing at high levels in their sport, classroom, and school communities. The program is made possible by support from BSN Sports.
This week’s winners are seniors from Kell and Pope. Mary Babcock plays volleyball for the Longhorns, and John Stuetzer plays football for the Greyhounds.
Mary Babcock, Volleyball, Kell
A four-year starter for the Longhorns, Mary recently logged 1500 career assists, a Kell school record. She also has a 94% serve percentage. She has helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and final 4 in 2023. Mary has been playing volleyball for 6 years and started in the 7th grade. She has also played Club Volleyball with several local teams.
“Mary has been an integral part of our team’s success for the last 3 seasons,” said her coach Joseph Auriemma. “She is a player every coach would want on their team. She has a fast instinct and plays with high intensity.”
“She also balances responsibilities between family, volleyball, work, and school. She is a role model for others and is well-respected by her teammates, coaches, teachers and friends. This is a well-deserved honor for this young lady,” Coach Auriemma said enthusiastically about his Athlete of the Week.
“She is an outstanding student both on and off the court,” agreed Kell Athletic Director Oneisha Young. “She excels in the classroom and always has a smile on her face, no matter what challenges come her way.”
John Stuetzer, Football, Pope
In last week’s home win over Dunwoody, John had an exceptional game with five touchdowns. He scored three on receptions and two on the ground, contributing 30 points to the Greyhounds’ first victory of the season, 41-27. He tallied more than 300 total yards with 266 through the air and 35 rushing. John is committed to Florida State next year to play baseball for the Seminoles.
“He is a top-tier talent and a spirited student-athlete who plays with great passion,” said Pope AD Josh Mathews. “A lot of people are excited to see him compete in football and baseball and the fact that he is wearing a Pope jersey exemplifies the great talent that we have here.”
AD Mathews mentioned that John also demonstrates his great passion for Pope by showing up as a fan to support his classmates. “He treats others with great respect and constantly exhibits humility and appreciation for others,” he said proudly.
In the classroom, John is a solid student who balances a rigorous academic load while playing multiple sports, which is uncommon in today’s world of specialization in high school sports.
“He is very deserving of this award after his spectacular effort last week, but we are most proud of the growth he has shown in his career at Pope. We look forward to watching him reap the success he has earned through hard work and commitment to his crafts,” AD Mathews concluded proudly.
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Concerts, garden activities and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree make up fall 2024 events at East Cobb Park.
The non-profit volunteer organization Friends for the East Cobb Park this week announced a variety of free activities that are open to the public, starting this coming Tuesday, Aug. 27.
That’s a workday for a new special garden planned by the East Cobb Garden Club, a part of the Friends organization.
Tuesday’s event begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, followed by a garden club meeting and workday on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. (see full fall schedule below).
What’s being called “Sunny’s Butterly Garden” is named in honor of the late Sunny Walker, a key figure in the creation of East Cobb Park (our story from April).
It will be an all-season garden featuring more than two dozen types of flowers, covering several hundred square feet. The garden is being designed by Lyn Cohen, head of the East Cobb Park Garden Club, who’s a professional landscape architect.
To be planted include redbuds, Black-Eyed Susans, daffodils, hydrangeas and other varietals.
The Music in the Park concert series returns with two dates in September and two more in October, along with a family movie screening in October.
As fall turns to winter, the park once again will stage the Holiday Lights tradition on Dec. 8, including a visit from Santa Claus, plenty of festive music of the season and refreshments.
For more about Friends for the East Cobb Park-sponsored events, click here.
Cobb PARKS handles reservations for picnic pavilions at East Cobb Park. You can do that by clicking here, or by contactingSheila Kracalaat (770) 591-3160 or email her directly Sheila.kracala@cobbcounty.org.
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When Hampton Morris stood upon the Olympic weightlifting podium in Paris Thursday to accept a bronze medal, he was making a piece of history.
The Pope High School graduate, who tied an Olympic record in the 61-kilogram category (134 pounds) during the competition, became the first American male weightlifter to earn a medal since the Los Angeles Games of 1984.
The 20-year-0ld Morris, who trains in his garage with his father Tripp as his coach, had already qualified for a medal on Wednesday when he attempted what would have been a world record of 178 kilograms in the clean-and-jerk (392 pounds) but came up just short.
The winner was Li Fabin of China, who lifted 368 pounds in his final clean-and-jerk try to win the gold, followed by Theerapong Silachai of Thailand with the silver medal.
“Oh, it was amazing,” Morris said when asked to describe his experience on the medal podium, according to quotes provided by USA Wrestling.
“It was so much more than I imagined. I’m so happy.”
He said there was a wide range of emotions during the competition, especially since he was one of the younger competitors there.
“This whole time I’ve just been so excited to be here,” he said. “I was very happy when I made that first snatch and I felt very solid. I felt relieved that I made it. That second snatch, I was still confident and knew what I needed to correct. I did that on the third snatch. I was very solid and I’m very happy with what I put up.”
Morris, who graduated from Pope in 2022, began competing in weightlifting in 2016. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in the 61-kilogram category, where he holds two senior American records.
His latest, a 176-kilogram lift in April, qualified him for the Olympics.
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Cobb PARKS announced this week that the playground at Mabry Park (4466 Mabry Park Road0 will be closed the week of Aug. 12-16 for new equipment to be installed.
“Weather permitting the work should be completed by 5 p.m. on Aug. 16,” according to a message sent out by Cobb PARKS in its August monthly newsletter.
As noted previously, the Mountain View Aquatic Center remains closed for renovations, and is expected to reopen Sept. 30.
Also, with school starting this week, there are new hours for the Sewell Park pool (2051 Lower Roswell Road).
The outdoor pool is open Saturdays and Sundays only from 1-6 p.m. through Sept. 2 (Labor Day). Admission fees are $3.50 for children ages 3-17, $4.50 for adults and $3 for seniors ages 55 and older.
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The Rotary Club of East Cobb is the sponsor of the Dog Days Run, which starts and finishes at the MeCleskey Family-East Cobb YMCA (1055 East Piedmont Road).
The Lutzie 43 Road Race, organized by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, takes place at Lassiter High School (2601 Shallowford Road).
Both are major fundraisers for their sponsoring organizations. For the first time last year, the Rotary Club of East Cobb raised more than $100,000 from the run to benefit more than 20 community organizations.
Rotary Club past president Butch Carter said they’re still asking for sponsors, and Monday is the deadline for sponsors to get on the printed materials, including race shirts and programs.
The Lutzie 43 Foundation is named after Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Lassiter and Auburn football star who was killed in a 2014 car crash. The organization works to educate young people about better decisions as drivers and as people.
Both are 5K races with numerous age- and sex-based categories that include post-race honors and recognitions.
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A Cobb PARKS fishing rodeos for children 16 and under that was scheduled for next Saturday, July 20, at Ebenezer Downs Park in Northeast Cobb has been postponed.
The county said that the postponement was due to low water levels at the park. Another rodeo scheduled for the Furr Family Park in Powder Springs on July 27 was postponed for the same reason.
A rodeo Saturday at Lost Mountain Park is still on, with a cost of $5 per child.
The event lasts from 9-11 a.m. and you must bring your own gear, bait, water, snacks, etc.
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Round up your gear and saddle up for the annual Cobb PARKS Fishing Rodeo. You have four chances to cast your line at our fishing ponds. Catch the big one and earn bragging rights. Winners will be awarded at each event. Parents – just register the kids who are fishing, $5 per child. Bring your own gear, bait, water, snacks, etc.
All events are 9 – 11 a.m., rain or shine. Hyde Farm Park ( registration code #38598) Saturday, July 6 (East Cobb) Lost Mountain Park (registration code #38597) Saturday, July 13 (West Cobb) Ebenezer Downs Park (registration code #38599) Saturday, July 20 (North Cobb) Furr Family Park (registration code #38600) Saturday, July 27 (South Cobb)
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Starting July 1, the Mountain View Aquatic Center (2650 Gordy Parkway) will be closed for three months for scheduled renovations.
The work includes resurfacing pools and painting work and is part of $4.5 million in improvements to Cobb PARKS facilities in the 2022 Cobb SPLOST (Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax).
Related projects include renovations at the Cobb County Central Aquatic Center in Marietta, which is reopening July 1 after three months of renovations. The West Cobb Aquatic Center in Powder Springs also reopened in April after renovations.
The scheduled reopening for the Mountain View Aquatic Center is Oct. 1.
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For the 10th time in school history, Walton High School has won the Directors’ Cup trophy from the Georgia Athletic Directors Association.
That honor goes to high schools that finish with the most points in their respective competitive classifications in the Georgia High School Association during an academic year.
Walton’s 1,289 points led Class 7A, which consists of the largest high schools in the state according to enrollment.
The Raiders won just one state championship during the 2023-24 school year—boys swimming—but finished runners-up in five other sports.
Buford and Lambert followed Walton in Class 7A, which also includes Wheeler, which came in 30th with 412 points.
Walton has won the Class 7A Directors’ Cup for the third time since 2019, and previously won 6A crowns in 2017 and 2017, Class 5A honors from 2007-2009 and the Class 4A title in 199-2000.
That was the first year of the Directors’ Cup.
Pope, the only other high school from East Cobb to win the Directors’ Cup (Class 6A in 2017, Class 5A in 2014), also had another strong season in 2023-2024, placing third in Class 6A behind Marist and Blessed Trinity.
The Greyhounds, who compiled 1,146 points, won a state championship in girls flag football and were second in five other sports. Lassiter had 948 points for 7th place and Sprayberry was 32nd with 302 points.
In Class 5A, Kell was 15th, tallying 641 points, including a second consecutive state championship in boys basketball.
In Class 1A Division 1, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy was 25th with 173 points.
Every two years, the GHSA conducts reclassification based on enrollment. The organization consolidated classifications for the 2024-25 period by eliminating Class 7A.
Starting in August, Walton and Wheeler will still be paired together, but in Region 5 of Class 6A, along with Cherokee, Etowah, Marietta, North Cobb and North Paulding.
In Class 5A, Lassiter, Pope and Sprayberry will be in Region 6, with Creekview, River Ridge, Riverwood, Sequoyah and Woodstock.
Kell is in Class 4A, Region 6, with Blessed Trinity, Cambridge, Centennial and Westminster.
Fall sports include football, girls volleyball and girls and boys cross country.
The Corky Kell Classic, which features top football teams, will once again include Walton and Kell.
Kell is the host of a doubleheader on Aug. 14 and the Longhorns will be playing North Atlanta to start their season.
Walton, which finished state runner-up in 7A, will kick off the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against Brookwood on Aug. 17 at 10 a.m.
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Shaw Mixon, a varsity football player at Lassiter High School, has been honored by the Atlanta Falcons for his dedication to the game on the field and his service to the community.
He’s been named the Falcons’ “High School Man of the Year.” It’s similar to a National Football League honor for professional players that’s named after the late Chicago Bears’ Hall of Famer Walter Payton.
A three-year starter in football as well as a basketball player, Mixon is vice president of Sources of Strength, an organization that works with schools to provide crisis intervention services for teens and their families in such areas as mental health, suicide, bullying and substance abuse.
“Despite personal challenges, including the loss of his father and a season-ending injury, Shaw’s resilience and dedication inspire those around him, leaving an enduring impact on both his school and local community,” the Falcons said in explaining Mixon’s honor.
He received an award at the Falcons’ team banquet in February.
The Cobb County School District said in a release that Lassiter High School’s SOS program is a flagship effort in the county, having trained more than 200 students and a third of the teaching staff has been trained as trusted adults.
“It’s nice to get recognition and validation that you’re doing something right,” Shaw in the CCSD release. “I wasn’t expecting an award or anything, but obviously, whatever I have been doing is working, and I will keep giving back to the community in whatever ways I can.”
Mixon was nominated by Lassiter head football coach Sean Thom, who said “he is the type of kid who makes everyone around him better. He made me a better husband, father, coach, and teacher. He is an uncommon man in today’s society and has great things in his future.”
Lassiter AP teacher Lizz Etter, who oversees the SOS program, said Mixon not only is a bright student and excels in sports, but “as a friend, Shaw is loyal, genuine, and kind. Above all, he is humble and gracious. Shaw Mixon is an excellent choice for any award.”
Mixon also is involved in a program at Lassiter called The Joy Mission Club, in which high school students visit elementary- and middle schools to support kids who have lost a family member.
Having lost his father a little over two years ago, Shaw knows what these kids are going through. While his own network of family and friends was strong and helped support him during a very tough time in his life, he wants to be a support for other kids experiencing something similar.
“It can be easy to think about yourself and how difficult your situation is, but sharing what you think and feel with someone else is so necessary and important,” Mixon said. “I don’t want anyone to have to go through that time alone.”
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“It’s totally appropriate for Sunny and the park,” Diane Spencer of Frameworks Gallery said of the creation of a garden at East Cobb Park in memory of her late sister, Sunny Walker.
As the 50th anniversary of her East Cobb business approached earlier this year, Diane Spencer couldn’t help but think of her late sister.
“Sunny” Walker wasn’t just a family member but a business partner at Frameworks Gallery at Woodlawn Square Shopping Center on Johnson Ferry Road.
Walker, who died in 2019, also was a leading figure in the creation of East Cobb’s first passive park.
As an inaugural board member and later president of the volunteer group Friends for the East Cobb Park, Walker was heavily involved in the efforts to identify, purchase and convert land on Roswell Road, along Sewell Mill Creek, into what’s become one of the most popular parks in Cobb County.
The 20 acres that make up the park once was farmland, then became the home to Bowles Oil Company.
The park features multi-use trails, playgrounds, grassy recreational space, pavilions and a concert shell. Events include regular musical concerts, holiday celebrations and a Veterans Day salute.
More than anything, Walker and those behind the park’s creation simply wanted a place in the community where people could gather, recreate and enjoy natural beauty.
“There was no central gathering place” in East Cobb, Spencer said. Her sister “envisioned this very much being a community gathering place.”
Those leading the Friends group now are working to enhance the vision of the 21-year-old park. Last year, the East Cobb Park Garden Club was formed, with the goal of beautifying the park.
Its first project was seeding natural plants and perennial flower beds.
Now, the club will be taking on a major improvement, in honor of Sunny Walker.
A portion of greenspace below the gazebo overlooking the back quad of the park will be carved out to create what Spencer calls “Sunny’s Butterfly Park.”
Kurt von Borries, the group’s current president, came up with the idea when Spencer approached him about doing something to honor her sister.
“It’s totally appropriate for Sunny and the park,” she said.
A rendering of “Sunny’s Butterfly Garden” at East Cobb Park.
It will be an all-season garden featuring more than two dozen types of flowers, covering several hundred square feet. The garden is being designed by Lyn Cohen, head of the East Cobb Park Garden Club, who’s a professional landscape architect.
To be planted include redbuds, Black-Eyed Susans, daffodils, hydrangeas and other varietals.
“It’s really a pollinator garden,” Spencer said, explaining the origins of the garden’s name. “But that doesn’t sound as good as butterfly garden.”
Cohen’s company, SiteOne Landscape Supply, is donating stone, mulch and some other materials. Two Japanese maple trees also will be donated, according to von Borries.
But between $10,000 to $15,000 needs to be raised to purchase and plant the flowers, and to build out and maintain the garden. The work is expected to get underway later this spring, with completion aimed for the fall.
To that effort, Spencer is holding a fundraising open house at Frameworks next week, donating between 30 to 100 percent of whatever she sells in the store for the garden.
The hours for the open house are from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, and during store hours Friday-Saturday April 26-27 from 10-6 (1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 110).
Frameworks features painting, sculpture and ceramics made by local and Georgia artists. Spencer said some of them agreed to donate their works for the fundraiser.
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Since Friends for the East Cobb Park is a 501(c)3 non-profit, she’ll also have tax receipts for purchasers.
(Anyone can donate at anytime online, in an amount of their choosing, by clicking here. Checks should be made out to Friends for the East Cobb Park.)
Von Borries admitted that “it’s going to be a challenge” to maintain the garden, which will be the major project of the garden club.
Long-term, he’s hopeful that East Cobb Park could someday include a botanical garden.
“We’re just trying to beautify the park,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of land to work with.”
Walker was previously honored in 2017 with a piano named after her at the gazebo, but which has since been removed. There’s also a bridge named after her connecting the current park to its newer space extending toward Fullers Park.
Spencer said the garden is the perfect way to honor her memory.
“This is kind of a personal thing,” she said. “There are so many people who knew and loved Sunny.
“This is a prime example of what can be done with this park. Sunny would have envisioned that. I think that’s what she would want to see. I think this will be a milestone for the park.”
Sunny Walker “dreamed big,” according to the first president of the Friends for the East Cobb Park, “and we bought into it.”
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Hyde Farm Park ( registration code #38598) Saturday, July 6 (East Cobb)
