December 05, 2007
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center in Johns Creek has been fortunate to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money recently. And the money just keeps coming.
Autrey Mill most recently received a $50,000 grant from the state of Georgia for environmental and educational improvements to the nature preserve off Old Alabama Road. Autrey Mill board members accepted the grant during the Nov. 26 Johns Creek City Council meeting.
The 46-acre property was gifted a $269,000 local assistance grant from the Ga. Department of Community Affairs in October for historical renovations.
Cheryl Bowlin, vice president of the Autrey Mill Board of Directors, said she is very grateful for the $50,000 grant.
"We're so happy for getting this because the environmental part of our park has not had any extra funding and it's really needed," said Bowlin.
She spoke highly of Patty Hansen, chief of staff for Mayor Mike Bodker and Mark Burkhalter, state speaker pro tempore. Bowlin said they were instrumental in helping the park receive the grant.
"They do incredible work, and they do it all to give back to the community," said Hansen. "We saw the need there – the difference $50,000 can make for the trails and to raise awareness."
The grant money will be used for Autrey Mill's creek embankment stabilization and the Wildfire trail – a sewer easement – that also needs improvement.
"We think we can get some car parking on there and that would stop the mud problem," said Bowlin. "If we can do two things – stabilize the ground and get some parking – that would just be awesome."
Bowlin said Autrey Mill will be able to proceed with its Indian Village, an educational tepee that will seat 30 children. The nature preserve also plans a community house, formerly a southern Indian home, to show the contrast between the two.
Bowlin said a professor from Kennesaw State University and Emory University, who helped construct the tepees for the movie "Dances with Wolves," will help with the Autrey Mill project.
"It's such a learning experience," she said. "Autrey Mill is a timeless piece of land. We're just trying to go back a little bit more in time."
She added that Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley was able to assist Autrey Mill by connecting the nature preserve with ecological experts.
Bowlin said the experts have identified species of plants and animals and detected the gold mine. She added that board members are taking the experts' input and highlighting what has been overlooked until now, mainly due to a lack of funds.
"We have been very fortunate," said Bowlin. "We hope the public is going to be very pleased."
She said Autrey Mill is planning a grand opening in late spring.
Autrey Mill Nature Preservation and Heritage Center is at 9770 Autrey Mill Road, off Old Alabama Road, in Johns Creek. For more information about Autrey Mill and its programs, call 678-366-3511.
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