Virginia-Highland Conservation League Receives Two Grants

The Virginia-Highland Conservation, an arm of the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, received two grants from a local nonprofit to help support green space in the neighborhood.

Park Pride, an Atlanta nonprofit that works to maintain green space in the city, awarded the Virginia-Highland Conservation two grants, according to Virginia-Highland Civic Association President Pamela Papner.

A $40,000 grant for Orme Park, which is undergoing renovations, will “go toward construction of the rain garden near the park entrance, a granite seat wall in front of the rain garden, additional plantings and a new masonry sign,” according to an e-mail sent to Virginia-Highland Civic Association members. Papner also made an official announcement about the grants at the Virginia-Highland Civic Association meeting on Monday, May 2.

Orme Park renovations are planned in two phases and include restoring and enhancing the bridge on Brookridge Drive, expanding the playground area and renovating signage in the park, among other plans.

The second grant, a matching grant of $50,000 for New Highland Park, will help kick start construction on the new park at the corner of N. Highland Avenue and St. Charles Place.

Papner said Monday that the board will narrow down the pool of contractors in the coming weeks and begin to move forward with the project.

Plans for New Highland Park include a rain garden and open green space.

The Virginia-Highland Conservation has worked to gain additional funding for both parks since 2009.

For more information, visit the Virginia-Highland Civic Association website.