The focus will be selling the same species of trees that will be planted on the BeltLine, further connecting houses and neighborhoods to the 22-mile loop around the city. A few of these trees include dogwood, elms, baldcypress, crapemyrtles, yellow flowering magnolias, an American wisteria called ‘Amethyst Falls’, American hazelnut, dwarf tulip-poplar, 5 varieties of silverbells, and 19 varieties of oaks.

In addition to purchasing trees, visitors are invited to spend time at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center by enjoying the new festival component from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be features such as music by Smokey’s Farmhouse Band, beverages from Honest Tea, tree care demonstrations, speakers, a small petting zoo of sheep by Ewe-niversally Green, and much more, including opportunities to learn about the components of a LEED-certified building.

For more about the sale, visit www.treesatlanta.org.

The second of three runs in the Atlanta BeltLine’s 2011 Running Series, the Atlanta BeltLine Southwest 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will feature post-race activities, memorable medals, prizes, and gift certificates for winners, and a fun media category. An exciting addition to this race, Atlanta Police and Fire Departments will participate in a friendly competition as well.

“We are looking forward to building on the momentum gained from our first race, where approximately 375 runners participated,” said Atlanta BeltLine Executive Director Valarie Wilson. “The Southwest 5K stands to attract an even larger turnout of runners and Atlanta BeltLine supporters who are interested in enjoying a vigorous run or walk while taking in this unique view of the historic West End and Westview neighborhoods.”

For more information about the series and for registration, visit Run.BeltLine.org.

City Councilmember Kwanza Hall, City and Atlanta BeltLine Officials will join the community and Atlanta’s vibrant skateboard community to officially open the new park, which also includes a multi-use field, a playground and sustainable water and energy features. Attendees are encouraged to picnic and bring blankets to relax on the field if they choose.

The Tony Hawk Foundation provided a $25,000 grant towards the construction of the Skatepark, and Tony Hawk himself made several design suggestions. Members of the Tony Hawk Foundation staff will travel from California to attend the event, and several skaters from the Nike Skateboarding team will participate in demonstrations at the opening of the park between 3 and 4 p.m.

Thomas Taylor, owner of Stratosphere Skateboards in Little Five Points and a longtime leader in the Atlanta skateboarding community played a key role, with many others, in bringing the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark into being. “Years ago, we built Foundation Skatepark on this site so skaters would have a place to go. When the Atlanta BeltLine came along and included us in the planning and design process, we were really happy to have a city partner to create a world-class facility. I believe we have succeeded, and skaters will come from all over to experience it for themselves,” said Thomas Taylor.

The park is located at 830 Willoughby Way, Atlanta, Georgia 30312, and there will be three lots for parking only a short walk away. Parking for Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark is very limited and will be available on a first-come/first-served basis. On-street parking will not be available on Willoughby Way, Ashley Ave. or East Ave.

Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or take MARTA Bus Route #16 (NobleDowntown/Noble-Executive Park) which makes multiple stops along Ralph McGill Boulevard near the Skatepark. For more information on the event, parking and directions, please visit Events.BeltLine.org.

By Tim Sullivan

Sherwood Forest resident and WSB-TV news anchor Justin Farmer served as the ceremonial starter for the inaugural Beltline Race Series 5k at Tanyard Creek last month.

Next up for the series is the Beltline Southwest 5k on July 16, which features the historic West End and Westview neighborhoods. And on Dec. 3 there will be a Peachtree qualifying 10k that covers the stretch of Beltline between DeKalb Avenue and Piedmont Park.

I caught up with Farmer for an interview after the race.

In addition to being the ceremonial starter for the inaugural Beltline Race Series 5k, you are a member of the planning committee.  How did you get involved with the project? (run.beltline.org)
Since coming to Channel 2 in 2008, I have been enthusiastically following the Beltine’s progress. Running along the Beltline just seems obvious and I was thrilled to help with the running series.

The turnout was awesome and the course was really interesting – akin to a cross country race. The tech shirt was top notch! Are you a runner yourself?
I do like to run and I eagerly watched construction of the section near Tanyard Creek Park. I think my wife and I were among the very first on that section of Beltline. It’s fantastic – the bridges and how it meanders along Tanyard Creek.

Ever do a broadcast where it’s all business on top – suit jacket and tie for the camera, but the bottom half is ready for a quick transition to a post-work run?
Running shoes, yes. Or if it’s a really big show, sometimes I go with cleats.  Just in case.

Who would win a footrace between you and Jovita Moore?
Hey, seriously, Jovita is in shape! She does some sort of pre-dawn boot camp. Don’t mess with her.

Do you listen to music while you run? If so, what’s currently in rotation?
If I’m running to release stress, I go with symphony music. If running to sort of get high on life, I go with something rock ‘n roll, more modern than classic. I really like [Internet radio site] Pandora.

I’ll try that. I’ve decided that running to podcasts of [anchors] John Pruitt and Monica Pearson is informative, but not great for my split times. What other charities are you involved with?
Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta, The Georgia Star program for the state’s top students are two of my favorites.

You and I share an alma mater in Boston College and I’m not going to say who is older, but in 1991 one of us was a senior preparing for a lifetime of nightly TV appearances and gigantic billboards. The other guy was a freshman wondering why he ever thought History of Architecture would be an easy elective…

You took that? Well, I took art history just to avoid math. There was some quality sleep happening in that class. You know [Falcons Quarterback] Matt Ryan is another BC alum in Atlanta so it has been fun to watch him play.

I love to run along the Charles River when I’m up in Boston for a visit.  Do you think the Beltline will be the exercise destination of choice in Atlanta for years to come?
Yes, I am confident the Beltline will be the place for pre and post-workouts, running, walking, socializing. I used to live in Dallas and the Katy Trail, much smaller in scope than the Beltline, really attracts an active crowd.

From June through October, nearly eight miles of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor on the east and west side of the city will be open to pedestrians and off-road bicyclists via an interim trail. Art installations and historic site interpretations have been placed along the corridor. (See video of some of the art on the eastside at INtown’s YouTube channel.)

“Art on the BeltLine’s dynamic installations and performances highlight the diverse and vibrant neighborhoods that surround the Atlanta BeltLine,” said Brian Leary, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “The scale and quality of this project is a testament to the hard work and creativity of dozens of partners, volunteers and the amazing artists that have put their hearts and souls into this.

The Art on the BeltLine working group includes volunteers from BeltLine neighborhoods, historic preservationistsand organizations such as WonderRoot, Eyedrum, Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Spelman College, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., the BeltLine Partnership, BeltLine Network, the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Atlanta City Council and the Fulton County Arts Council.

The full schedule and a comprehensive list of exhibition  and performance pieces is available online at art.beltline.org.

Saturday, June 5

9:00 a.m. Dog walk / BeltLine tour (east side)*
9:00 a.m. Irwin Street Music Stage (east side)
10:00 a.m. Fitness on the BeltLine (east side)*
12:00 p.m. Children’s activities (east side)*
4:00 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (west side)
4:30 p.m. Beacon Dance – A Bountiful Feast (west side)
4:50 p.m. Akbar Imhotep, Adebisi Adeleke – Story Messengers on the BeltLine (west side)
6:00 p.m. Giwayan Mata in Gordon White Park (west side)
7:00 p.m. Kebbi Williams in Gordon White Park (west side)
9:00 p.m. “Outsider” unconventional music with Matthew Proctor (west side)

Sunday, June 6
4:30 p.m. Beacon Dance – A Bountiful Feast (east side)

Saturday, June 12
9:00 a.m. Dog walk / BeltLine tour (east side)*
9:00 a.m. Irwin Street Music Stage (east side)
10:00 a.m. Fitness on the BeltLine (east side)*
12:00 p.m. Children’s activities (east side)*
1:00 p.m. Irwin Street Music Stage (east side)
6:00 p.m. Akbar Imhotep, Adebisi Adeleke – Story Messengers on the BeltLine (east side)
6:00 p.m. West End Music on the BeltLine with Doria Roberts and Heston (west side)
7:00 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (east side)
7:45 p.m. Hormuz Minina – “Zoroastrian Blessing” (east side)
9:00 p.m. Eyedrum on the BeltLine (east side)

Saturday, June 19
9:00 a.m. Dog walk / BeltLine tour (east side)*
9:00 a.m. Irwin Street Music Stage (east side)
9:30 a.m. Donor / gift announcement (Historic Fourth Ward Park)
10:15 a.m. Art events for kids (east side)
10:00 a.m. Fitness on the BeltLine (east side)*
12:00 p.m. Children’s activities (east side)*
6:00 p.m. Akbar Imhotep, Adebisi Adeleke – Story Messengers on the BeltLine (west side)
7:00 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (west side)
8:00 p.m. The Lindsay Rakers Band (east side)
9:00 p.m. Kevin McFoy Dunn and The Common Article III (east side)
10:00 p.m. Dropsonic (east side)

Sunday, June 20
1 p.m. The Living Peace Sign (east side)

Saturday, June 26
9:00 a.m. Dog walk / BeltLine tour (east side)*
9:00 a.m. Irwin Street Music Stage(east side)
10:00 a.m. Fitness on the BeltLine (east side)*
12:00 p.m. Children’s activities (east side)*
1:00 p.m. Beacon Dance – A Bountiful Feast (east side)
7:00 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (east side)
9:00 p.m. Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons ? Chantelle Rytter – Lantern Parade (east side)

Sunday, June 27
6:00 p.m. Grady Jazz Band, Rey Maurice, Indigo Sunset (east side)
7:30 p.m. Brooks & Co. Dance – “Ment” (east side)
8:30 p.m. Traveling Circus – Park Cofield and Company – “See the Gyrastacus” (east side)

Saturday, July 3
7 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (west side)

* Denotes ongoing activities
** Schedule is subject to change.

By Collin Kelley

Work continues on clearing and upgrading trails and paths along the BeltLine, the 22-acre “emerald necklace” that circles Atlanta.

While some type of train system will eventually be built on the BeltLine, parallel paths, parks and trails for the public to use are full steam ahead. In April there was a ribbon cutting for a portion of the Northside trail in Buckhead and, at press time, grading and clearing on a portion of trail from DeKalb Avenue to 10th Street at Monroe Drive is under way.

Crews are are also working on building the Historic Fourth Ward Park, a 35-acre green space that will be behind the old City Hall East off North Avenue. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last month for the new Boulevard Crossing Park.

More good news came in May when the Fourth Ward Skatepark was given a $25,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation Board of Directorsto help complete the 15,000-square-foot project.

“This is an endorsement of the amazing collaboration between the City, Atlanta BeltLine, and our incredible local skateboard community,” said Brian Leary, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “The inspiration came from the vision, will, and determination of the community. Combined with the City’s strong support, and now this outstanding gift, the new park—Atlanta’s first fully designed skate park—will be one of the best skate facilities in the U.S.”

During the month of June, regular BeltLine 101 meetings will be taking place for different quadrants of the project and there will be quarterly briefing on the BeltLine on Thursday, June 17, from 6-8 p.m. at 130 Trinity Ave. in Downtown.

For a complete list of events, meetings and how you can volunteer to help with the BeltLine, visit www.BeltLine.org.

Routes for the tour follow completed and proposed sections of the BeltLine, primarily on adjacent neighborhood streets, and offers three route options catering to all abilities. Riders will gather at the start location at Grady High School (8th St. parking lot) beginning at noon and leave at 1 p.m. All route options loop back to Grady, and an after party is in the works.

Route Options:

The Short & Sweet: A three-mile ride perfect for families or anyone who enjoys a leisurely pace.

Off-Road, On-BeltLine: A seven-mile off-road spur south to Inman Park on the physical BeltLine corridor (mountain or hybrid bikes recommended; includes option to connect to the Half BeltLine)

The Half BeltLine: A 12-mile ride great for riding with friends that offers exposure to Atlanta and BeltLine history.

The Full BeltLine: A 28 mile route providing a real workout and a chance to see and experience the most of the BeltLine.

Each route is punctuated with educational stops where participants will learn about BeltLine developments and local history and the project’s potential impact on the city. The tour is supported with healthy snacks provided at the start and water refills along the way.

All routes are led by skilled cyclists and each route will have one SAG vehicle to pick up riders if needed. Additionally, members of the Atlanta Police Department’s motorcycle unit will provide a rolling road closure for the ride start, the Short & Sweet, and the Half BeltLine options.

This ride is a fundraiser to support the programs and activities of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. The cost is $20 for each adult, and two kids my ride free with each paying adult. Helmets are required for all participants.

For more information and to register, visit, www.beltlinebiketour.com

This Saturday, Feb. 20, at noon, artists will meet at the Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, 290 MLK Dr., to make art signs—in any style that they want—that will indicate a BeltLine crossing of a public right-of-way. All materials and supplies are provided, but artists are invited to bring their own paints and brushes. Later in the week, WonderRoot artists and volunteers will work throughout the night placing the art at each of the 216 locations.

“With much attention brought to the BeltLine over the past year, WonderRoot seeks to further raise awareness of the current and future impact of the BeltLine,” said Chris Appleton, Executive Director of WonderRoot. “We will also spread over 200 public artworks to all corners of the city.”

WonderRoot is inviting members of the media to join them in documenting this award winning project for both the creation of the art on Saturday at the Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery and the placement of the art at the 216 locations. www.wonderroot.org.