Piedmont Park Conservancy Celebrates ‘The Future is Green’

April 28, 2020/in Press Releases/by Piedmont Park

ATLANTA, GA, April 28, 2020. On Thursday, April 23, the Piedmont Park Conservancy celebrated Piedmont Park’s significant contributions to the health of Atlanta and its green future. While supporters of this critical fundraiser were unable to gather in person under the big tent for Landmark Luncheon, they were treated to a unique digital program.

The keynote speaker, Catherine Nagel – Executive Director of the City Parks Alliance, highlighted the importance of parks as infrastructure during the current health crisis, and Mark Banta, President and CEO of the Conservancy talked about parks as active investment and the vital role that Piedmont Park plays in our city. The event’s presenting sponsor was Cox Enterprises and the reception sponsor was Georgia Power Company.

As part of the celebration, two awards were presented. The Green Giant Award presented by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation honored the Georgia-Pacific Foundation for its commitment toward greenspace and the environment. The Legacy Award recognized Laura Turner Seydel with the Captain Planet Foundation for her significant impact on the community and the city of Atlanta.

If you would like an inside look at the celebration, check out The Future is Green video.

Learn more about Landmark Luncheon.

About Piedmont Park Conservancy®
The Piedmont Park Conservancy is a member and donor funded nonprofit working in partnership with the City of Atlanta to maintain and enhance historic Piedmont Park. Founded in 1989, the Conservancy raises over $3 million each year to enhance and maintain the park. Today, the Conservancy manages over 90% of the overall maintenance and security of Piedmont Park. For more information, visit www.piedmontpark.org/about.

Contact: Amy Han Risher
Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Piedmont Park Conservancy
E: [email protected]
P: (404) 480-3758

Piedmont Park Conservancy’s Green Concert Returns Featuring Phish

February 5, 2020/in Press Releases/by Piedmont Park

The American rock icon band will headline two concerts at Piedmont Park, Aug. 1 – 2

ATLANTA – January 23, 2020 – After a 10-year hiatus, the Piedmont Park Conservancy is proud to announce the return of its Green Concert on August 1 and 2 featuring American rock band phenom Phish.

“Ten years is a long time without our own concert, but we are excited to bring it back and make it better than ever,” said Mark Banta – President and CEO, Piedmont Park Conservancy. “In conjunction with Rival Entertainment and our community partnerships to promote progressive environmental practices at events, we will be making further announcements around our planning efforts and how fans can participate,” he added.

A Phish Fan pre-sale begins Thursday, January 24 at the band’s website, Phish.com. Green Concert 2020 tickets will go on sale February 7 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Show time is 7 p.m. on August 1 and 6 p.m. on August 2.

2019 marked Piedmont Park Conservancy’s 30th anniversary, and the park saw record numbers of events, daily attendance, education programs and more. The Piedmont Park Conservancy’s Green Concert partners with iconic artists to raise critical funds to ensure Piedmont Park is safe, clean, beautiful and active for its four million plus visitors each year. As in the past, the Green Concert promotes sustainability, including the use of public transportation, recycling programs and reduction of waste.

For more event details, follow The Green Concert on social media at Facebook and Instagram.

About Rival Entertainment®
Rival Entertainment has produced concerts and festivals in Atlanta since 2004 and has presented many of Atlanta’s most acclaimed live events, including 2018’s Inaugural concert at Georgia State Stadium featuring Foo Fighters, ONE Musicfest at Central Park & Centennial Olympic Park, the annual Candler Park Music Festival, the infamous three-day Outkast ATLast reunion and Prince’s last live concert performance. Rival Entertainment is based in Midtown Atlanta and manages the historic Center Stage Theater, The Loft & Vinyl.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sharon Goldmacher
communications 21, on behalf of the 2020 Green Concert
[email protected]
404-814-1330

Carter Brown
communications 21, on behalf of the 2020 Green Concert
[email protected]
404-814-1330

Amy Han Risher
Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Piedmont Park Conservancy
[email protected]
404-480-3758

Piedmont Park Conservancy Welcomes New Board Members

January 16, 2020/in Press Releases/by Piedmont Park

ATLANTA, GA, January 16, 2020. The Piedmont Park Conservancy welcomes three new members to their board of directors: Ambrish Baisiwala, CEO & Chairman of Portman Holdings; Douglas A.P. Hamilton, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of Hamilton Investment; and Pat Upshaw-Monteith, CEO of Leadership Atlanta.

Ambrish Baisiwala
CEO & Chairman, Portman Holdings

Ambrish brings over 26 years of global professional experience and strong corporate strategy and property development skills.

Prior to joining Portman, he was Development Director of ALDAR Properties PJSC in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he was responsible for a development portfolio in excess of $20 billion. Earlier in his career, he was Development Manager for the Greater Union Organization for the Middle East and India. Ambrish has worked in the USA, China, India, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australia, across a broad spectrum of property types & responsibilities.

Mr. Baisiwala has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree from the University of Rajasthan, India, and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, Australia. He is active in the community and participates on the boards of Central Atlanta Progress, Midtown Alliance, Atlanta Police Foundation, Leadership Atlanta, and the Atlanta Beltline Partnership.

Douglas A.P. Hamilton
Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Hamilton Investment

Doug spent the first 11 years of his career as an operating company executive rising through sales and marketing roles to become the CEO of a diversified manufacturing company. Over the last 35 years, he has made more than 50 investments ranging from start-ups to leveraged buyouts in both the US and Europe.

Doug grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin & received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina and completed the PMD graduate program at the Harvard Business School. He currently lives in Ansley Park with his wife Judy and has previously lived Geneva, London, New York City, and New Preston, Ct.

Doug has served on the following philanthropic boards: Alumni board University School of Milwaukee, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, SE US Selection board Fulbright Scholarship, Vice chair Museum of the City of New York, Cooper Union College NYC and the Association Board New Milford Hospital, Ct.

Pat Upshaw-Monteith
CEO of Leadership Atlanta

Pat Upshaw-Monteith has been with Leadership Atlanta for 27 years and served as its CEO for 14 years. She has actively participated in the present and future growth of Atlanta by imparting to new generations of leaders the legacy of values that have traditionally been central to Metro Atlanta’s success.

Prior to heading up Leadership Atlanta, Pat served as Associate General Manager of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 13 years where she produced the Orchestra’s successful “Pops” series at Chastain Park and directed their educational programs including the ASO’s Youth Orchestra.

Pat serves on the Board of Commissioners of DeKalb County, has served on the MARTA board and the DeKalb County Dept. of Family & Children Services (DFACS). She is appointed to the Board of the Rotary Club of Atlanta and on the boards of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), Private Bank of Buckhead and Salvation Army. In addition, she serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors, the Grady Foundation Board of Visitors, the University of Georgia’s Board of Visitors and Emory University’s Center for Ethics Board. She has been widely honored for her achievements and was featured in the edition of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, recognized as an Unsung Hero by the Coalition of 100 Black Women, and inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers in 1999.

Ms. Upshaw-Monteith earned a Master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree from Albany State University.

The Conservancy looks forward to building upon their vast knowledge and individual skill sets in order to advance its mission to enhance and preserve Piedmont Park and all of its natural beauty.

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The Piedmont Park Conservancy is a member and donor funded nonprofit organization working in partnership with the City of Atlanta to maintain and enhance historic Piedmont Park. Founded in 1989, the Conservancy raises over $3 million each year to enhance and maintain the park. Today, the Conservancy manages over 90% of the overall maintenance and security of Piedmont Park.

Contact: Amy Han Risher
Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Piedmont Park Conservancy
E: [email protected]
P: (404) 480-3758

The Piedmont Park Conservancy Receives $100,000 Grant from The Home Depot Foundation

December 30, 2019/in Press Releases/by Piedmont Park

The Home Depot Foundation renews its commitment to Piedmont Park and the Active Oval

ATLANTA, GA, December 31, 2019 – This December, the Piedmont Park Conservancy received a $100,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation (THDF), a renewal of a 16 year commitment to Piedmont Park. THDF renewed its support of the Active Oval, a vast landscape designed to bring recreation and people together through the power of play.

In addition to being the one of the oldest landmarks in Piedmont Park, the Active Oval is one of the most frequented areas with over 350,000 users annually. On any given day, you can find individuals, their families and intramural sports teams engaging in healthy and active play.

The Active Oval at Piedmont Park is currently managed by one landscaper, whose job ranges from turf and drainage management to general repairs. As the only full-time landscaper responsible for all aspects of care within this area, duties include mulching, mowing, weeding, pruning, watering- all types of clean-up, from garbage to keeping the pathways clean and ensuring the equipment located in the area is in good condition. Funding from THDF supports the upkeep of the area and ensures the enhancement of quality of life for its users.

“The Home Depot Foundation is one of the Conservancy’s longest standing and most generous supporters,” says Mark Banta. “Between their skilled team members volunteering in Piedmont Park to financial support and access to critical goods and services, the Foundation is an invaluable partner.”

The Home Depot Foundation partners with national and local nonprofit organizations across the United States to make a difference in the lives of our country’s heroes and to support communities in need. The Piedmont Park Conservancy is a recipient of THDF Hometown Giving Program for Outdoor Spaces.

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The Piedmont Park Conservancy is a member and donor funded nonprofit working in partnership with the City of Atlanta to maintain and enhance historic Piedmont Park. Founded in 1989, the Conservancy raises over $3 million each year to enhance and maintain the park. Today, the Conservancy manages over 90% of the overall maintenance and security of Piedmont Park.

Contact: Amy Han Risher
Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Piedmont Park Conservancy
E: [email protected]
P: (404) 480-3758

Active Oval in Piedmont Park

The Home Depot Foundation Provides Gift Cards to the Piedmont Park Conservancy as Part of the Grant

Party for Piedmont Park: Over $125,000 Raised

September 13, 2019/in Press Releases/by Piedmont Park

On Thursday, September 5, the Piedmont Park Conservancy cheered to 30 years at the Party for Piedmont Park! In the last 30 years, the Piedmont Park Conservancy has invested over $66 million into Piedmont Park, and continues to raise over $3.5 million each year to sustain the maintenance and programming of beautiful Piedmont Park. With more than 700 people in attendance, the Piedmont Park Conservancy was able to raise more than $125,000 for Piedmont Park.

Guests arrived at Greystone, a gorgeous venue hall with original granite walls overlooking the pool and Lake Clara Meer. Attendees were treated to an open bar, restaurant tastings from Atlanta’s premier spots, a silent auction and an opportunity to snap a picture at the photo booth. Everyone danced through the decades with DJ BIGG H and Ricardo Spicer of Amp’d Entertainment. Finally, attendees shared their stories to be illustrated at a live drawing by The Sketch Effect.

Missed the party? You can still support by donating today!

Join us for our next social fundraiser, the Piedmont Park Beer Garden on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Thank you to our host committee for planning and supporting an awesome event!

Left to Right: Zak de Leon, Stefanie Agusta, Jeffrey Glover, Carrie Furman, Calvin O’Keeffe, Celia O-Keeffe, Byron Kirkpatrick, Erin Croom, Tahmida Shamsuddin, Arvind Reddy, Katherine Johnson, Justin Wong, Ashley Blackwell, Jenna Wong, Alex Ginsberg

Photo Credit: Rick Moll Photography

Over 900 Dogs at Splish Splash Doggie Bash

October 19, 2018/in Press Releases/by Piedmont Park

On October 6^th and 7^th, over 900 dogs had the time of their lives – courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy and its 10^th annual Splish Splash Doggie Bash. This special event allows dogs to have the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center all to themselves and was a hit among the dog owners and lovers of Atlanta, so much so that it sold out! Lines formed early Saturday and Sunday morning full of excited pups of all shapes and sizes ready to get their paws wet and owners ready to make their dogs’ wildest dreams come true.

The Conservancy stocked the pool with tennis balls and Frisbees galore, and opened the gates to doggie heaven for all the anxious pups waiting outside. Whether it was swimming, playing fetch in the grass, or making new friends, the dogs had a blast. Thanks to Victory Brewing Company, the dog owners were able to kick back, grab a beer and watch their pups take it all in. After the first session of the weekend, many people thought just an hour and 15 minutes wasn’t enough for their loyal companions, so they purchased tickets for more sessions. Some even attended all of the sessions!

The dog vendors were also a highlight of this years’ event. Many vendors set up tables by the pool and displayed their products for the owners to choose from. Needless to say, many lucky pups went home with some tasty new treats.

Overall Splish Splash Doggie Bash was a huge success and raised necessary funds for the Conservancy’s three acre off-leash dog park. It’s definitely something you won’t want to miss in the coming years!