“As an organization, Legacy Decatur began as the practical solution to a problem.” |
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It was 2015 when staff at Decatur’s City Hall began thinking about the city’s Bicentennial, coming up faster than one might think in 2023. Exactly how it would play out would be answered over time but one thing was clear: making it happen would require fundraising in the form of grants and donations, plus an army of volunteers needing to be managed. Tasks outside the conventional role of government.
In a perfect world, a community-focused nonprofit organization — independent of but closely aligned with the city and its vision — could do the heavy lifting. So it’s really no surprise that here, in a city as close to perfect as one’s likely to find, that’s exactly what came to be, as the Decatur Legacy Project was created to fill the void.
At first, it existed mostly on paper. But then, in 2017, the city purchased the 77 acre United Methodist Children’s home and shortly thereafter conducted a community-wide effort to envision its future. The results were ambitious and made clear that an organizational entity — something akin to the Piedmont Park Conservancy — would be required to manage the property’s long-term operations and master plan. The Decatur Legacy Project, rechristened Legacy Decatur, was the perfect vehicle. |
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Community input during the visioning sessions for the Legacy Park master plan. |
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In the years since, Legacy Decatur has grown and evolved in its role as Legacy Park’s stewards, implementing the property’s master plan to cultivate an ever-expanding culture of environmental stewardship, community building, recreation, housing, and the arts.
Notable on-site accomplishments and improvements — each in partnership with other community organizations and resources — have included the orchard, restoration of the Legacy forest and wetlands, a cross country trail, a new inclusive playground, the refurbished dairy barn, our competition-level track and field facility nearing completion, and 132 housing units now under construction for those least able to afford a Decatur home.
Furthermore, the park’s campus — a collection of largely historic buildings brimming with potential but very much in need of renovations and maintenance — has been reborn as an incubator for good works.
Today, Legacy Park is home to 14 distinct nonprofits serving different aspects of the Decatur community. Each of these organizations has invested in their space through upgrades and enhancements, helping breathe new life into tired old buildings. They pay rent commensurate with the realities of nonprofit operations and benefit from both the assets of the park and each other.
All the rest of us benefit as well, even those who don’t consider themselves in need. The forest is healthier, educational resources are available for community kids, immigrants and other marginalized people are welcomed, and music fills the air. “So much good happens here every day,” says Legacy Decatur executive director, Madeleine Henner. “For people. For the planet. It’s inspiring just being around that kind of energy.” |
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Volunteers help clear Legacy Park of invasive plants. |
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Lifting Community Spirits |
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In addition to its role as Legacy Park’s steward, Legacy Decatur also serves as what the bean counters call a fiduciary agent for informal community groups doing valuable work.
Think of it this way: A collection of neighbors organize to, say, tackle ongoing beautification of their local park. The effort itself is too informal to become its own nonprofit, making any money raised taxable for whatever neighbor manages the funds. Not to mention that whatever fundraising mechanism gets set up can often be difficult for willing donors to find.
To empower such groups, Legacy Decatur provides a non-taxable home for their funds, an online donations portal, and promotional support.
We have served, or are currently serving, as agents for Decatur’s Bicentennial, the John Lewis Tribute Project on the Square, the Decatur United Small Business Recovery Fund launched in the wake of the pandemic, A Season of Giving, Friends of the Decatur Cemetery, the Legacy Park Athletics and Recreation Coalition, the Moore Chapel Gardeners, and the Oakhurst Dog Park. |
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As we approach Giving Tuesday — coming up soon on Tuesday, December 3 — give some thought to the legacy that you’ll leave behind. If you believe in the work we’re doing and in the idea that an expansion of that work will make our city an even greener, more connected and more attainable place to live, we encourage and welcome your support. Let’s be partners in the hard work of leaving Decatur better than we found it. |
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