A 30-acre property in northwest Buckhead with a unique history could be preserved as a natural greenspace, but a funding gap exists to conserve it as the purchase deadline quickly approaches. According to an article written by The Conservation Fund and published through Livable Buckhead, efforts are underway to purchase and preserve the heavily wooded property, which includes a portion of Little Nancy Creek, located at 3910 Randall Mill Road. However, several million dollars are still needed to complete the sale and preserve the property from future development.
The article notes The Conservation Fund — a national organization which aims to conserve properties with “ecological, historic and/or cultural significance” — has negotiated a sale price of $13.5 million for what has been dubbed the “Bunnen” property. The City of Atlanta has pledged $5 million in funding along with a private donation of $5 million, leaving a $3.5 million gap to secure the property before the contractual period ends in September. Livable Buckhead and The Conservation Fund are currently seeking donations to erase the funding gap to preserve the property.
“If we cannot reach our goal in time, this forest will be lost to development forever,” The Conservation Fund states. “Your support will ensure this treasured forest is permanently protected and preserved as greenspace for generations to come!”
The Conservation Fund declined comment for The Buckhead Paper’s story due to the Bunnen property being under contract. The City of Atlanta’s Parks and Recreation Department also declined comment. A spokesperson for the department said in an email the city would reconsider providing more information “if/when the purchase is realized.”
The Conservation Fund article states the property includes 95-percent tree canopy coverage, and it is “the only property of size identified in Buckhead that still has mature tree canopy but is unprotected.” It adds the property is “in an area of park need” in which there are no other “sizeable” greenspaces within approximately 20 square miles of its location. Chastain Park, Atlanta Memorial Park and Standing Peachtree Park are located at or near a 20-mile circumference around the site.
The Bunnen property takes its namesake from its former owner, Lucinda Bunnen, an artist, collector and philanthropist. Bunnen, who died in 2022, is referred as the “Godmother of Southern Photography.” She discovered a love and a talent for photography career at the age of 40, while on a family trip to Peru to celebrate her birthday. She went on to become a renowned photographer. In 1973 she and others founded Nexus, Atlanta’s first photography gallery highlighting new works by emerging photographers, according to the High. She later established the Bunnen Collection at the High Museum of Art, “a world class holding meant to establish the High as one of the nation’s premiere collecting institutions for contemporary photography and to provide Atlanta with an inspirational resource.”
The Conservation Fund notes Bunnen purchased the wooded properties near her home on Randall Mill Road over the course of 50 years, effectively creating an “ecological gem and inspirational landscape.” The property includes two miles of walking trails, “countless species of native flora and fauna and a portion of Little Nancy Creek, The Conservation Fund notes. The group adds Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation is “anxious to conserve Lucinda’s legacy through the protection of her home and this incredible forest.”
Livable Buckhead is currently accepting donations to fund the $3.5 million shortfall for the property’s purchase. Those interested in donating can visit liveablebuckhead.com and make a donation through its portal by selecting “Bunnen Property Project” on the dropdown “select an initiative” list.
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