Magazine feature article: "Sometime It's Easy Being Green" - profile of Atlanta housing communities featuring greenspace

1. RECREATION COMMUNITIES
Sometimes It's
Easy Being
Green:
Atlanta's Upscale
Recreation Communities
Discover GreeRSpace
64 KNOWAtlanta Winter 2005
By Michelle Bourg
I
t's a beautiful morning on the walking trail. Lemon yellow
sunlight is slanting through the trees. You've had a nice chat
with a neighbor, and just now, down by the creek, you've
spotted four downy baby geese, waddling after their mother
across the dewy grass. Stepping off the trail at your front door,
you have plenty of time for a shower and to stop at the comer cof-
fee shop before heading to work. Sounds like a dream? As more
Atlanta builders and buyers rediscover greenspace communities,
people are combining city convenience with the peace and open
space of the country, making scenes like this commonplace-after
the alarm goes off.

2. RECREAT I ON COMMUNI TIE S
Find agreat rental home in Atlanta
from your laptop in Boston, or...
66 KNOWAtlanta Winter 2005
With ample and
inviting open
space just outside
your door, it's
easier to stay
active, a plus for
your family's
physical and
mental health.
Greenspace is currently the premier
amenity offered by residential developers,
replacing golf. According to developer
David Chatham, Georgia builders have
been including more natural space in their
projects over the past three to four years,
and while Georgia still lags behind the
nation in this type of development, favor-
able zoning regulations have aided green-
space community growth over the past
half decade.
These communities are increasingly
being sought by homebuyers who recog-
nize the impact of their surroundings on
their quality of life. Many popular recre-
ation areas are often crowded, especially
on weekends. With ample and inviting
open space just outside your door, it's eas-
ier to stay active, a plus for your family's
physical and mental health. Less focus on

3. RECREATION COMMUNIT I ES
Stephanie Hornbuckle
&Associates
REALTOR & RELOC ATION SPEC I AL I ST
Let's get acquainted!
Call or email Stephanie and get
started today finding your new
home inthe Atlanta area.
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I 1. .RealEstate
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68 KNOWAtlanta Winter 2005
Greenspace developments are
available in just about any area of
the city and in a range of prices.
structured activities encourages families to
participate together and meet their neigh-
bors. As Chatham puts it, "Everybody can
walk; you don't have to be a great golfer."
Even if you never lace up a pair of walking
shoes, you can benefit from greenspace.
Increased tree cover means cooler summer
temperatures and better air quality, allow-
ing a relaxing "escape to the country"
without the lengthy commute.
If the idea of greenspace appeals to you,
bear in mind that there is no set definition
of the term. Builders websites and print ads
are filled with pictures of wildflowers and
babbling brooks, but the truth is that
"greenspace" can vary dramatically from
community to community. Most common
are walking trails, parks and soccer or ball
fields, but some neighborhoods encompass
lakes, streams, or wildlife areas. David
Chatham points out that property size
drives the type of recreational space offered:
a smaller acreage may utilize several small
parks instead of one large one. His 600-acre
River Green development in Canton offers
picnic areas, nature trails, and a lake, along
with a racquet club and swim center.
Nature trails are also a feature at Green
Summers in Cumming. Over two miles of
natural surface trails wind through lightly
wooded areas, leading to the pavilion and
soccer field, along with a creek and picnic
area..A batting cage and horseshoe pit are
also planned. Representative Frances
Woolard notes that the some of the hous-
es have screened porches, allowing resi-
dents to enjoy the outdoors from the pri-
vacy of their homes. At The Reserve in
Dallas, public realtions spokeswoman
Amanda Charlesworth describes the
atmosphere as "laid back but active." Here
you'll find over two miles of trails, along
with a creek, picnic pavilion, playground,
and activities field. As a bonus, the prop-
erty adjoins historic Pickett's Mill State
Park, giving residents easy access to even
more open space.
Vintage Communities' Knollwood Lakes
neighborhoods really live up to their
name. Located in Lawrenceville and just
minutes from Gwinnett Mall, their center-
piece is four stocked lakes, ringed by both
natural surface and paved trails. Benches
dotting the paths allow walkers and jog-
gers to pause and enjoy the view. Another
Vintage community, Wildwood at
Meadowgate, has two ponds connected by
a greenbelt area with a stream and nature
trails, in addition to a pool, tennis courts,
and a playground.
If the equestrian life is what you desire,
you'll find it in Ball Ground at Woodhaven

4. RECREATION COMMUNITIES
Bend on the Etowah. Here, preservation of
the natural environment was the builders'
primary goal. Set among 300 acres of
forests and meadows are lots ranging from
three to 20 acres, most designed to accom-
modate the horses that canter on the two
miles of riding trails. The Etowah River
encircles the property, providing fly-fish-
ing and a 2.6-mile kayak course. A walk-
ing trail is enclosed in a 2-mile by 150-foot
greenbelt buffer that follows the riverfront
and forms a wildlife habitat.
So if you're looking for the excitement of
big city life combined with the peace and
open space of a small town, it is possible.
Greenspace developments are available in
just about any area of the city and in any
range of prices. You'll need to form your
As more Atlanta
builders and
buyers rediscover
greenspace
communities,
people are
combining city
convenience with
the peace and
open space of the
country.
own definition of greenspace, decide what
recreational amenities you want, and bal-
ance them against those found in the homes.
Take the time to visit several neighborhoods
to get a feel for whats out there: it takes
time, but it's worth it. By choosing a recre-
ation community that fits your lifestyle, that
dream of lattes and larkspurs you've been
having just might come true. •
200 Acre Nature Preserve • Large Family Clubhouse • Aquatic Center • Children's Play Center
Basketball • Tennis • Volleyball • Village Green • Jubilee Amphitheater
70 KNOWAt lanta Winter 2005
W ALDEN
PARK
Where would
you rather be?
0
..
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Large Homesites, & 2-Story Homes Also Available
770.774.9003
DIRECTIONS:From 1-85S/ I-285S tum West on Camp
Creek Parkway,to left on Butner Road and followto
w.Stubbs Rd., Walden Park Community is on the left.
lnformatton believed to be accurate but not warranted.
Nesbitt Lord
& COMPANY