HomeLetters to the EditorAtlanta Prison Farm

Atlanta Prison Farm

Dear Porch Press,
I’d like to commend Rich McKay on his well written article about the Atlanta Prison Farm. I was fortunate to meet Rich out on the trail at Constitution Lakes, and found him to be engaging and passionate about his writing.
I would like to point out that the headline “EAV Prison Farm” could be a bit misleading, as the Prison Farm itself is not located in the East Atlanta Village, but just a few miles south of the Village proper. It is just a short drive (or bike ride) from the Village though, and as such can be easily visited by residents in our neighborhood.
One of the important points of the article is the danger that exists on the Farm land. Rich mentions these in detail, and they are a deterrent to some people who would like to visit but are concerned about safety issues. Others find adventure in some of these dangers, and the sense of forbidden exploration that comes with old abandoned structures. It is that sense of adventure that lead me to the Prison Farm initially.
The inside of the burned out Prison building has been documented fairly well in the past few years by intrepid photographers and internet bloggers. Here they have discovered bleak prison cells adorned with amazing graffiti murals that rival (and in some cases were created by) some of the Living Walls artists. These treasures are inviting, but the dangers that Rich mentions are very real. It is illegal to trespass in these buildings, and you may be fined or arrested if caught.
Fortunately, the beauty of the Farm goes well beyond a little urban adventure. The rest of the 300 acres are laced with trails that show off the largest area of greenspace inside i285. I’ve seen herds of deer and lots of other wildlife. It is possible to enjoy these things without the dangers of the Prison building, out on the trails with a group tour.
Scott Petersen has been leading these group tours for years, and has a lot of experience and knowledge of the area. Recently interest has been growing again, and he is gearing up for more tours. We have been discussing a special event in the fall, when the weather is cooler and the woods are more inviting…
We will share more info in the coming months, but in the meantime find out more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AtlPrisonFarm, and feel free to contact Scott Petersen at scottppetersen@yahoo.com or me, Joe Peery at transportation@eaca.net.
Phone: 4042439734
Joe Peery
 
Editor’s note: The prison farm property is not public property. It is posted land, owned by the city of Atlanta. The Porch Press does not encourage trespassing, nor is it liable for readers’ legal or personal safety.
Correction: “EAV” is shorthand for the business district only of the East Atlanta neighborhood. The Atlanta Prison Farm is not located within the East Atlanta Village, but is several miles south, as Joe Peery has pointed out.

Recent

AdvertisementAd for A-1 Roofing. Phone: 404-627-6909 / 404-787-7001. Website: www.a1roof-remodeling.com
AdvertisementAd for "Ground Crew Confidential" book by David Fisher, https://a.co/d/iPG7Mgv

More from Author

June 2023 Print Issue

Open the issue in a new window

Introducing: The Pooch Press

By Robert M. Sarwark Calling all pets of Grant Park, the SAND...

Grant Park Sign Topper Update

By Phil Kelly In the fall of 2021, the Grant Park Neighborhood...

Zuber-Jarrell House Receives a Preservation Award from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation 

oto by Elena Kaplan Homeowners & Representatives from the GA Trust,the ...

Read Now

June 2023 Print Issue

Open the issue in a new window

Introducing: The Pooch Press

By Robert M. Sarwark Calling all pets of Grant Park, the SAND neighborhoods, and East Atlanta! We want YOU for a new feature in this newspaper. The Pooch Press invites all notable dogs, cats, and any other non-human friends and associates to submit their stories, skills, and photos for publication...

Grant Park Sign Topper Update

By Phil Kelly In the fall of 2021, the Grant Park Neighborhood Association's Homes & History Committee asked the Transportation Committee if we could take on the work of the Sign Topper update project. Since then, we worked hard to understand the City process for the project and...

Zuber-Jarrell House Receives a Preservation Award from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation 

oto by Elena Kaplan Homeowners & Representatives from the GA Trust,the Jarrell Family, and ZJH Tradesmen. Left to Right: Front Row: Tiffany Alewine, Brandy Morrison, Mark McDonald, Jennifer Murray, Marc Dobiecki, Rob Wanderman, Back Row: Alan Keck, Douglas Frey, Norris Broyles, Rebecca Jarrell, Dick Jarrell, Robbye...

Grant Park Pool Opens for Summer

By The Friends of Grant Park Pool Splash into your pool! The Grant Park pool is one of 12 public outdoor pools provided by the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation. As of late April, the city plans for the pool to be open five days a week...

May and June Happenings at Oakland

By Angie Wynne Oakland’s late-spring calendar is filled with family-friendly opportunities to experience the cemetery in unique and educational ways. May is National Preservation Month, and to celebrate, Historic Oakland Foundation’s preservation team will lead two “Behind-The-Stones” preservation tours. Tickets for these tours tend to go quickly, so...

CALENDAR – April/May 2023

COMMUNITY MEETINGS GPNA (Grant Park Neighborhood Association) 3rd Tuesday, 7:30pm-9:00pm. Check www.grantpark.org for details. SAND (South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development) – 2nd Thursday of every month at 7:30pm, Ormewood Church Fellowship Hall, corner of Woodland & Delaware Avenues. EACA (East Atlanta Community Association): 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm. www.eaca.net for details. EABA (East Atlanta Business Association) General Meeting,...

EACA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Call to order / Meeting recording started 7:00 pm. Approved without dissent, March 14, 2023 meeting minutes. Approved without dissent, March 2023 treasurer report. Public Safety Update – Zone 6 Representative and Myron Polster: FBI now says robberies are not a violent crime for statistical reporting purposes, and now Zone 6...

SAND Meeting Minutes – Thursday, April 13, 2023

Submitted by Kate Champion The developers of Halidom Eatery at 1341 Moreland Avenue presented architectural drawings of their proposed food hall. They expect the facility, with its art deco/South Beach vibe, to house about 11 eateries and invited those with concepts to contact them. They hope to also...

GPNA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Register in advance for the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctd-GurzgjGdBhY9lxJr2uJh7N2LKfiNZO. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Call to Order–7:30pm. President’s Introduction: We will be moving voting items to the top of each meeting moving forward. There are no items today. Public Official Update: Jonathan Harris - Community...

Thanks, EACA Topper Volunteers

By Henry Bryant What would any community be without volunteers to cover the gaps when public funds don’t quite stretch? When the East Atlanta Community Association (EACA) decided to take part in a Neighborhood Planning Unit-W (NPU-W) grant, the allotted money was not enough to print and install...

Red’s Farm Update

By Paul Bolster District One Council Member Jason Winston told The Porch Press the City of Atlanta is interested in acquiring Red’s Farm to preserve open space in Ormewood Park. Winston said the city, Red’s family, and the Conservation Fund are in active negotiations regarding the acquisition. He says, “The...