Buckhead Heritage Presents Belle Turner Lynch Preservation Award

Buckhead Heritage recently presented its Belle Turner Lynch Preservation Award to Robb Bunnen, Belinda Bunnen Reusch, and Melissa Bunnen Jernigan. The award is bestowed annually on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of their architectural and cultural heritage. The award is named in honor of a longtime Buckhead Heritage volunteer who helped make a significant impact on the organization.

The Bunnen family worked with The Conservation Fund, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit, and the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation to preserve their family home and 30 acres on Randall Mill Road for a new City of Atlanta Nature Park and Trails. The property will be known tentatively as the Lucinda Bunnen Nature Park in honor of their high-profile photographer and arts activist mother, who died in 2022 at 92 years of age. Local architect Cecil Alexander (FABRAP Architects) designed the Bunnen home in 1956, and since then, the family has purchased adjacent parcels as they became available.

Although The Conservation Fund has been actively involved in Atlanta preservation for years, this is their largest real estate purchase inside the perimeter of Atlanta. The Conservation Fund has entered into an agreement with the City of Atlanta and the Parks and Recreation Department to take over the property and create greenspace for hiking trails. The house will also be preserved, with several options under discussion, including the City's Park & Recreation office and meeting space and a possible temporary residence for city visitors. The Conservation Fund has also purchased other land tracts inside the Atlanta perimeter for preservation.

Along with The Conservation Fund, the Bunnen family credits Buckhead Councilwoman Mary Norwood, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and Atlanta Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler for making this park possible. “This is a total Win: Win proposition for the family and the City of Atlanta,” said Robb Bunnen.

Founded in 2006, Buckhead Heritage is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that strives to enhance the quality of life in Buckhead by identifying, preserving, and promoting its historic resources. To learn more, visit www.BuckheadHeritage.com.