Write DeKalb Decision Makers: Protect 24 ACRES OF SKYHAVEN GREENSPACE (the QUARRY & Sky haven SCHOOL PROPERTIES)
The historic Skyhaven Quarry (~10 acres) and former Sky Haven school property (~14 acres) represent a rare opportunity to protect 24 connected acres of undeveloped greenspace in urban DeKalb County.
The Quarry was scheduled for tax sale on October 6, but DeKalb County has deferred the sale, providing more time to explore options for its protection. The County and DeKalb County Schools have also been discussing public use of the former school property.
“The location is desirable to the County and a park is needed in the area, and we have an interest in preserving and developing the property as green space.” – CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson, 9.29.26
Now is the time to work together toward permanent protection of all 24 acres — creating a significant regional park to serve DeKalb communities and protect nature.
TAKE ACTION: CLICK, SIGN & SEND
Don’t forget to sign your name!
Above button auto-populates email addresses & the sample letter below.
SAMPLE LETTER:
CEO Cochran-Johnson, Commissioners Massiah and Terry, CDO Vallo, Director Bass, DCSD Interim Superintendent Sauce, and DCSD District 3 board member Pierce:
I’m writing to ask DeKalb County and DeKalb County Schools to work together to pursue public use and permanent protection of greenspace at the former Sky Haven school property (~14 acres) and the historic Skyhaven Quarry (~10 acres).
These two properties offer a rare opportunity to create a significant regional park, to serve DeKalb neighborhoods and protect our natural resources.
Both properties have been in consideration for public greenspace. Now is the time to pursue a path toward permanent protection of all 24 acres — for our communities and a sustainable future.
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, Norman Sauce, DeKalb Co. School District Interim Superintendent, norman_c_sauce@dekalbschoolsga.org, Deirdre Pierce, DeKalb Co. School Board, Deirdre_Pierce@dekalbschoolsga.org, 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
Permanently protecting both the Quarry and the adjacent 14-acre former Sky Haven Elementary school property would create 24 acres of connected public greenspace. The Sky Haven property is owned by DeKalb County Schools, and the community has advocated for years to preserve it as public greenspace. DeKalb County and the school district have been discussing a lease that would allow DeKalb Parks to maintain the property. While a lease would be an important step, it would not permanently protect Sky Haven.
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.
Greenspace & Connectivity Opportunities Map
Context: This South River Forest Coalition planning map illustrates proposed greenspaces at the Skyhaven Quarry and adjacent Sky Haven School property — a potential ~24-acre public greenspace within a network of County-owned land, existing, proposed and planned pedestrian and trail connections.