Johns Homesteaders Say Keep Animal Shelter Out

An open letter from the Friends of Johns Homestead Park group to CEO Burrell Ellis, Commissioner Sutton and Commissioner Boyer-

It has come to our attention that Johns Homestead Park at 3071 Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker is on the list of potential Animal Shelter locations for DeKalb County. The Friends of Johns Homestead Park (JHP) group and the Tucker Historical Society have worked very hard advocating for this beautiful piece of green space for years, and the thought of acres of pristine forest being torn down for a new county facility upsets us greatly.

Over the past three years, the Friends of JHP has hosted numerous clean-ups and community meetings in partnership with DeKalb County to establish JHP as a nature preserve for the families of DeKalb County. The Tucker Historical Society continues to be a major partner in JHP, committed to helping establish historic signage for the 1828 Homestead and registering it as a historic landmark. The Johns Homestead and out-buildings are not just about the Johns family or even Tucker; they're about DeKalb County’s ancient history. This is about preserving the county’s heritage.

Does the county have the right to take over this park? Tell us in the comments-

Physically, the topography of this area is not conducive to a sprawling facility and parking lot area due to the steep slopes, multiple streams, ancient forest, and the two lakes. This kind of topography and the 1828 Homestead and out-buildings are perfect for a public park, nature preserve, and historic landmark history center.

The Friends of Johns Homestead Park was founded in early 2011 through a collaboration of Tucker Civic Association (TCA), Main Street Tucker Alliance, Tucker Business Association, Tucker Arts Guild, Tucker Historical Society and Smoke Rise Civic Association.

In addition to active partnerships with these organizations we also collaborate with Trees Atlanta, Keep DeKalb Beautiful, Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker Middle and Tucker High School clubs, numerous Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Tucker Optimist Club, and St. John Apostolic Holiness Church. 

This community loves Johns Homestead. We hope you see the beauty of this green space gift as well, and we respectfully ask you to take it off the potential Animal Shelter list. We thank you for your time.

Sincerely, 

Friends of Johns Homestead Park

Please join us at the PUBLIC Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, June 11 at 9 a.m. sharp at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur to share your opinions about this with the commissioners.