If you’ve ever enjoyed the South Fork Conservancy’s Duck Race during Emory Village’s Open Streets celebration, you know about Peavine Creek. But you may not know that this tiny gem of a creek is in big trouble. That’s because heavy rains have caused extensive erosion of the creek banks, dumping runoff into the creek, and setting up a cascade of events that are choking off its life.
The disrupted soil allows invasive plants, like the strangler vine kudzu, to proliferate. Consequently, access to the creek for maintenance is both difficult and treacherous, and mounds of trash and debris pile up under the bridge at North Decatur Road. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Transformed Peavine Creekbank in Emory Village
With input from Druid Hills residents, the Conservancy came up with a plan to restore a portion of the creekbank to health so that Peavine becomes a natural amenity in the village and the crown jewel of the watershed that it serves. The plan calls for 1) stabilizing the creekbank in Emory Village near the Panera Restaurant to establish safe access for maintenance; 2) installing a trash trap and rain garden to slow down and absorb storm water; 3) planting native trees and plants; and 4) building an overlook so that people can appreciate the treasure that Peavine is.
South Fork’s Executive Director Kimberly Estep and Board members Dave Butler and Mike St. Louis meet with landscape architect Patrick Hand to discuss restoration plan.
The Coca Cola Company, Hammersmith, the Druid Hills Civic Association, and other donors financed the initial phase of this project that produced engineering and planning documents and a topographical survey of the area. The survey includes an inventory of existing trees, land contours, and drainage patterns. It also confirmed limitations, such as easements, setbacks, and waterway restrictions, that govern how this area could be managed.
Most recently, a design team comprising engineers, analysts, landscape architects, regulatory officials, and volunteer advocates researched required permits.The next step is an engineering analysis of a "no-rise" certificate to confirm that implementing the plan will not adversely affect the floodway.
To make the plan a reality will require additional funding of about $40,000 from local businesses and all those in the community interested in preserving, protecting, and enjoying this precious natural resource for years to come. If you would like to donate to this project, please contact the Conservancy’s Executive Director, Kimberly Estep, at kimberly@southforkconservancy.org.