Woodlands Garden | Decatur Parks & Recreation

Peter McDonald (Active Living Participant/DHS Class of 2008) Student Commencement Speaker at UGA Spring Ceremony

May 25, 2012 by Gael Doyle Leave a comment

On Friday, May 11th, at the 2012 Spring Commencement ceremony at UGA before 50,000 graduating seniors, families, faculty and the Govenor of Georgia, Active Living’s/DHS’s own Peter J. McDonald was the Student Commencement Speaker.

Peter played soccer for many years at Decatur Active Living and his mother Jill coached for several years in the fall and spring seasons. Peter graduated summa cum laude from the UGA Honors Program, presented an eloquent and inspiring talk, and gave a huge shout-out to his hometown of Decatur (with many loud responses from the crowd!), referring to his work at Children and Youth Services summer camp and the difference that can be made for at-risk youth.

Congratulations to Peter McDonald and his family. Decatur is proud of you and best wishes as you prepare to reach new milestones in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb70fvHGGLQ

Filed under City of Decatur, City of Decatur School System Tagged with Bike Decatur, City of Decatur, Decatur Active Living, Decatur Youth Fund, Oakhurst Community Garden, Team Decatur, Woodlands Garden

Team USA Road to London Comes to Decatur- May 30

May 25, 2012 by Gael Doyle Leave a comment

Wednesday, May 30 1-8pm on the square

The City of Decatur will be a part of the Olympic Games on Wednesday, May 30 from 1-8pm on the square. The Olympics are coming to DeVry University her in Decatur! The Team USA Road to London tour is an extension o the partnership that DeVry has established with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). As we approach the Olympic Games (July 27-August 12) in London this summer, the USOC is bringing an interactive Olympic experience to our extended DeVry University communities.

Attendees will be able to interact with each other in a number of fun activities, meet U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls, and receive some USOC and DeVry University branded merchandise.

Filed under City of Decatur, City of Decatur School System, GRPA Tagged with Bike Decatur, City of Decatur, City Schools of Decatur, Cross Roads News, CrossRoads News, Decatur Active Living, Decatur Youth Fund, Oakhurst Community Garden, Team Decatur, Walk For Lunch; Decatur Active Living, Woodlands Garden

Decatur High School Lacrosse Prepares for the Big Game Tonight

May 16, 2012 by Gael Doyle 2 Comments

For the first time in school history the Decatur High Boys Lacrosse Team has reached the semi-finals of the state lacrosse tournament. Decatur (14-5) will play Pope (14-3-1) in the historical game tonight. The game starts at 7:30pm at the Bulldog Stadium. Admission is $7 per person. Many of the young men have played together since the youth program began at Decatur Active Living in 2003. Decatur fans come out and support the team as they make history. Go Bulldogs!

Filed under City of Decatur, Youth Sports Tagged with City of Decatur, Decatur Active Living, Decatur Youth Fund, Walk For Lunch; Decatur Active Living, Woodlands Garden

Recreation Center Begins to Come Out of the Ground

April 27, 2012 by Gael Doyle 1 Comment

Decatur Recreation Center begins to come out of the ground and steel supports are beginning to shape the new facility. Construction highlights since January 2012:

Demolition- old plumbing, electrical, old bleacher frames, ceiling, social room removed, offices demolished.

Storm drainage

Elevator shaft complete

Steel support for the new walking track and new multi-use room on the library side.

New stair well casing

Plants have been removed from the front of the building

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with City of Decatur, Decatur Active Living, Decatur Youth Fund, Oakhurst Community Garden, Safe Routes to School, Team Decatur, Walk For Lunch; Decatur Active Living, Woodlands Garden

Easter Sunday in the Garden at Woodlands

April 6, 2012 by saraeholmes Leave a comment

Juby Bock writes in to remind us to visit Woodlands this Sunday. What a great way to spend an Easter afternoon.

“Spring is out in full force here at Woodlands, and we welcome the warm seasons with the return of our Sunday music program. The Muleskinner MacQueen Trio started things off last Sunday with old-time American music and honky-tonk standards. This Sunday, George Eckard and Friends will take to the stage, or rather the Pavilion. Here’s a brief biography of George and his music:

George Eckard is a Decatur area singer/songwriter who writes and performs locally, playing original songs and old favorites in the acoustic/folk genre. Mostly a guitar player, he also plays banjo, mandolin and harmonica as a solo performer and with his friends the Unusual Suspects. In 2009, he self-produced a CD, Songs from the Middle of Life.

The springtime blooms continue to unfold. The evergreen azaleas in pink, purple, and white are now fading; but spicily-scented native azaleas in pink, yellow and orange remain. Other highlights include several varieties of viburnum, from the big showy snowball to the more subtle native varieties; the remains of a fantastic camellia season; and tiny buds on the hydrangeas. We saw the first of the hot pink rhododendron blooms today. The unusual pagoda dogwood sports its off-white flowers, which are very different from the beloved dogwood that we all know well. Leaves are opening on several varieties of large-leaved magnolia, and I’m looking at a big flower bud on a tree right outside the office window.

Come to Woodlands Garden for a relaxing stroll through the woods on a Sunday afternoon. Open every Sunday afternoon in April from 2-4pm. For more information, visit www.woodlandsgarden.org.

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with Sundays in the Garden, Woodlands Garden

Local Boy Scout Troop Keeps Greenspace Clean

March 16, 2012 by Gael Doyle Leave a comment

Local Decatur scouts from Pack 134 took the initiative to clean up the debris located in the woody area behind Ebster field last Saturday. Pack 134 provided 13 young scouts along with 12 adults to clean the woody area. Pack 134 meets at First Baptist Church in Decatur. Items removed- bottles, tires, trash, oil cans and engine parts. The activity was coordinated through Active Living and the trash removed was brought to the recycling bins located at Beacon Hill Center. Congratulations to Pack 134 for carrying about the environment in Decatur. Pictures below are from the clean up last Saturday.

Filed under City of Decatur, Decatur Parks & Recreation Tagged with City of Decatur, Decatur Active Living, Decatur Youth Fund, Oakhurst Community Garden, Woodlands Garden

A Good Day for a Stroll Through Woodlands Garden

January 27, 2012 by saraeholmes Leave a comment

Sunday’s weather forecast is sunny and in the mid 50s – a good day to visit Woodlands Garden for Sundays in the Garden.

The Garden invites the community to put on their walking shoes and explore Decatur’s seven-acre garden and Georgia Piedmont native plant habitat. Volunteers will welcome you and provide helpful information. Musical surprises await. Free and open to the public this coming Sunday, January 29 from 2 – 4pm. The garden is located at 932 Scott Boulevard, a nice walk or bike ride from downtown Decatur.

For more information about Woodlands, click here.

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with Sundays in the Garden, Woodlands Garden

A Walk in the Woods, Music, A Roaring Fire in the Pavilion, and a Garden Sale!

October 21, 2011 by saraeholmes Leave a comment

News from Woodlands Garden – sounds like a great way to spend Sunday afternoon:

Our autumn celebration continues for two more Sundays with these big programs:

October 23 2-4pm

We’ll have a roaring fire in the Pavilion as a backdrop for

The Ukelele Society of Decatur (2-3pm)

Bluegrass and Blues Jam (3-4pm)

with special host Eli Dickerson

bring your instruments, including your voice for singing and hands for clapping,

and join in with our favorite strummers and pickers for a lively musical experience

Garden Garage Sale

plants, pots, hoses, yard art and other assorted oddities

including a fabulous mid-century desk

and a couple of rain barrels – every garden needs a rain barrel!

All priced to sell!

Walk the Trails and See the Beautiful Fall Features –

leaves, flowers, berries, birds, mushrooms

October 30 2-4pm

Storytelling with Audrey Galax and Friends

slightly spooky, woodsy stories with a few silly songs

and

Marshmallow Roasting over the fire in the Pavilion

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with Woodlands Garden

Strings on Sunday at Woodlands Gardens

October 14, 2011 by saraeholmes Leave a comment

Ruby Bock sends along an invite to spend Sunday afternoon in the Garden at Woodlands:

Sunday in the Garden – every Sunday in October – continues this weekend, 2-4pm, featuring beautiful fall color and music by Stradivarius Strings, a high school string quartet from Greater Atlanta Christian School. The group includes Shelby Cage – Violin, Katie Yoder – Violin, Michelle Kendall – Viola, and Lillie Russo – Cello. Light classical music, a soft breeze and singing birds will accompany you along the trails.

And seen in the garden today:

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with Woodlands Garden

Take a Sunday Stroll at Woodlands Gardens

October 13, 2011 by saraeholmes 1 Comment

Fall is fantastic at Woodlands Gardens. Don’t miss live music and fabulous fall color in the woods. Jump on your bike, walk or carpool with friends and enjoy Sundays in the Garden every Sunday in October from 2 until 4 pm. Woodlands Garden is located at 932 Scott Boulevard in Decatur. For more information click here.