November 2011, Decatur, Ga.– On Saturday, November 12th, ten teams (~120 people) from schools and local organizations competed for prize money as part of an ongoing effort to rid local parks of invasive plants and debris. By the end of the fourth annual Park Renewal Day, hosted by Renewal Design-Build, the DeKalb County Parks Department, and City of Decatur, competitors at Dearborn Park were weary from pulling up ivy and privet, but had a real sense of accomplishment and community.

The prize money, donated by Renewal Design-Build, was given to the four highest-scoring teams. The grand prize of $1,000 went to Boy Scouts Troop 18. The money will go toward scholarships for young boys whose families cannot afford the annual dues, uniforms, camps and equipment. The Decatur High School Super Close Up Club team is using their second place winnings toward travel grants for a spring trip to Washington D.C. Third and fourth prizes went to the Midway Woods Neighborhood Association and the Academe of the Oaks, respectively. A celebration of food and music from local musicians, “Goat Mobley and the Weed Eaters,” followed the cleanup.

About Park Renewal Day

Park Renewal Day is an annual event in which teams compete for prize money by uprooting invasive plants in one of our local community parks. The goals of the initiative are to educate the community about invasive plant species, save the native species, and keep our parks healthy and clean. The event is organized by Renewal Design-Build, DeKalb County Parks, and the City of Decatur’s Active Living Division.

More pictures can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ParkRenewalDay