Conservancy will host twelfth annual landmark lunch to benefit piedmont park

And on May 7, Piedmont Park Conservancy invites you to celebrate springtime when it hosts the Twelfth Annual Landmark Luncheon, hosted at The W Hotel Midtown from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Last year more than 750 distinguished friends, neighbors and business leaders attended this luncheon, with proceeds benefiting the continuing restoration and enhancement of Piedmont Park.

This year’s focus is on the importance of tree care, a topic on which keynote Frank Blake, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot, will be speaking when he unveils his plan for protecting Atlanta’s tree canopy.

Blake’s plan, “Protect 1000, Plant 1000” will educate the public about the importance of tree protection, in addition to leveraging The Home Depot Foundation’s gift of $1 million to the Conservancy’s “Breaking New Ground” campaign.

The Conservancy also plans to introduce its new president and CEO who will take over leadership of the organization on May 15. Current President and CEO, Debbie McCown is retiring after more than 10 years with the nonprofit organization that manages the 186-acre Park.

Last spring, the Conservancy announced its capital campaign to raise $43 million for phase one of a transformative 53-acre expansion of Piedmont Park. To date, the “Breaking New Ground” campaign has raised more than 85 percent of its goal, including a recent $1.5 million challenge grant from the nationally recognized Kresge Foundation that will fund renovations to the Park’s historic Bathhouse and pools.

Campaign chair and Conservancy board member, Larry Gellerstedt III, President of Cousins Properties Office/Multi-Family Division, has led the first phase of the campaign, and will also be speaking at the May 7 luncheon.

“We continue to be motivated and inspired by the generous support the campaign has received from the local community,” he said. “And [Landmark Lunch] is the perfect time to recognize our great accomplishments, as we prepare for the road that lies ahead.”

Landmark Lunch began 11 years ago under the leadership of Dorothy Yates Kirkley and Cindy Candler in the tradition of New York’s Central Park lunch. The luncheon’s initial themes highlighted different historic landmarks within the Park.

Due to the drought, this year’s event will be held at the new W Atlanta Midtown. Tickets are $125 and all proceeds benefit the Park. Space is limited. You can reserve your seats online or contact Darrel McCook, 404-875-7275 ext. 240.

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Darrel McCook

Director, Communications and Special Events

(404) 875-7275, ext. 240