Chastain Park Conservancy

Part of the Conservancy’s mission is making Chastain Park safer for all our park patrons. The Conservancy is leading efforts to add four safety cameras around the park and repair the existing cameras.

“The installation of four new cameras are a needed addition and will go along way to detour crime in and around the Park,” said Gip Johnston, CPC Executive Director.

The majority of the new cameras will be installed near the red and yellow parking lots north of the horse park.  These lots will become the main parking area for runners and walkers as all the PATH and trail distances will be re-calculated to start from the red parking lot.  Possible locations for the other cameras include the busy intersection of West Wieuca and Powers Ferry near the new tennis center.

“We are working with our park partners and the Atlanta Police Department to have all cameras monitored by the APD or a local community governing body,” said Johnston.

For close to 15 years a group of friends has been “hoofing” it around the Park together for exercise and fun! Now affectionately known as “The Hoofers,” the group converges every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 AM for their walks on the PATH.

“The Hoofers are actually two groups that merged,” said Ginger Mitchell, Hoofer group member. “Some of us began walking the park 15 years ago. Many of the husbands joined in when they retired.”

Hoofers members include Anne and David Boyd, Adgate and Dargen Cole, Mary Alyce and Joe McCullough (who also serves as a board member for the Conservancy), Meriel Gregory, Ginny and Al Plummer and Ginger and Ed Mitchell.

Since they have been walking weekly at Chastain, the Hoofers have seen first hand the many improvements at Chastain Park. “The wonderful changes and additions to the Park through the years have been dramatic,” said Hoofer member Anne Boyd.

They all enjoy the new PATH, which gives them plenty of room for walking. Mary Alyce and Joe McCullough commented that they enjoy having such a wonderful asset right here in the middle of our city. “Chastain Park is such a valuable resource,” Mary Alyce said.

This is an energetic group of friends who enjoy walking – some have even gone on walking tour trips together to places like Ireland and Italy. Ladies in the group participated in the breast cancer walk fundraiser.

While they are serious about their exercise, the Hoofers also like to have fun. Close to holidays, you can spot the Hoofers walking “in costume.” Around Christmas, it might be deer antler headwear and at Easter you might see bunny ears! They even celebrate birthdays with a tailgate breakfast. Each Christmas, they honor each other with a gift to Chastain Park Conservancy.

Here’s to the Hoofers – wishing you happy trails!