Talk of the Town - Boomerville April 24 2002

In 1944, President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill, which would provide education, employment assistance and housing to American veterans. Born out of the bill’s many positive developments was Medlock Park, one of the first neighborhoods built as part of the new Veteran’s Benefit Program.

Founded in ‘45, Medlock Park still houses some of its first residents as well as a new generation of families.

“Medlock Park has that small-town feel and yet right outside of here is North Druid Hills or the Highlands. This is a place where you don’t have to deal with the madness except when you want to,” says Megann Conners, a two-year resident of Medlock Park.

“There is a continuity to the neighborhood as things are transitioning from generation to generation,” says Jeff Fischer who moved to Medlock Park 18 months ago. Fischer and his wife decided to buy a home in the area after they got married and decided they would want to start a family. They were attracted to the quiet way of life, a stark change from their apartment living along Briarcliff Road in the Emory/Druid Hills area.

Part of the reason for the peaceful pace is the community’s dedication to preserving their natural environment. The South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserve, founded six years ago by Medlock Park residents, is a 28-acre sanctuary with several trails, a beaver pond and more than 149 different bird species. Managed by a nonprofit volunteer organization of residents, the preserve saves Medlock Park’s beautiful forests and flood plains.

“[The preserve] gives people an opportunity to unwind, hang out and get away from the hectic face of life,” says Mitch Russell, a resident and member of the Nature Preserve Board.

But life soon might become a little more hectic as Medlock Park residents watch their community’s population increase due to a new housing development and several residential renovations.

Yet, more residents would not be a bad thing for Medlock Park’s preserve. Since the entire park is run by community volunteers, an increase in residents could be just what Medlock Park needs to peak more interest in the sanctuary.

“The preserve is becoming more utilized but it is still undervalued,” says Russell, who hopes that more people begin to appreciate the preserve’s peaceful environment.??