Write DeKalb Decision Makers: Protect the Skyhaven Quarry
A rare opportunity to protect land in the urban South River headwaters has emerged. The historic Skyhaven Quarry — approximately 10 acres of forest and Ripplewater Creek — is scheduled for a DeKalb County tax sale on October 6, creating an urgent opportunity for conservation.
South River Watershed Alliance is working with community members, conservation partners, and DeKalb County to explore options before the tax sale. Now DeKalb needs to hear from YOU!
TAKE ACTION: CLICK, SIGN & SEND!
Tell DeKalb why protecting the quarry matters to you. Don’t forget to sign your name!
Above button auto-populates decision maker email addresses and the sample letter below.
SAMPLE LETTER:
CEO Cochran-Johnson, CDO Jacob Vallo, Director Bass, Commissioner Massiah, and Commissioner Terry,
I’m writing to ask DeKalb County to act quickly to acquire and protect the historic Skyhaven Quarry property on Ripplewater Creek as public greenspace.
Protecting the approximately 10-acre quarry and creek property — together with the adjacent 14-acre former Sky Haven Elementary property — is a rare opportunity to create a 24-acre park, serve surrounding communities, and protect the urban South River headwaters.
With the tax sale coming up October 6, please help us protect this land and our community.
Thank you.
– OR – WRITE YOUR OWN & SEND TO:
CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, lcjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov, Chief Development Officer Jacob Vallo, jvallo@dekalbcountyga.gov, Chris Bass, Director Parks & Recreation, cbass@dekalbcountyga.gov, Commissioner Nicole Massiah, District 3, District3@dekalbcountyga.gov, Commissioner Ted Terry, Super District 6, ted@dekalbcountyga.gov, CC SRWA, mspalding@southriverga.org
The Skyhaven Quarry was Atlanta’s first municipal quarry. It was decommissioned on an undisclosed date in the 1970s. The city relied on a convict lease labor system, including inmates from the Atlanta Prison Farm, to mine the quarry for granite to expand city roads and sidewalks.
THE BIGGER OPPORTUNITY: A 24-ACRE PARK
Protecting the Quarry and connecting it with the adjacent 14-acre former Sky Haven Elementary school property would create 24 acres of connected public greenspace. The Sky Haven school property is owned by DeKalb County Schools, and the community has advocated for years to preserve it as public greenspace. DeKalb County is currently discussing a lease with the school district that would allow DeKalb Parks to maintain the property. While a lease would not permanently protect Sky Haven, it is an important step toward that long-standing community vision.
Together, Sky Haven and the Quarry could protect two South River headwater streams while providing opportunities for public access, cultural and historic preservation, passive recreation, ecological restoration, and future pedestrian and trail connections.
