October 15, 2025 – Legacy Park’s Hawkins Hall
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Midway Woods Association’s annual meeting! We had a great turnout and an evening packed with updates from local leaders and partners. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered and what’s ahead.
Legacy Park Updates
Speaker: Madeleine Henner, Executive Director – Legacy Decatur
Legacy Park continues to thrive as a 77-acre community resource, with 22 acres permanently conserved for recreation and habitat restoration. Trees Atlanta has nearly completed its contract, planting hundreds of native trees and shrubs. Future management plans are now in development for 2026 and beyond. Legacy Decatur has moved into a new operational phase and now receives no operational funding from the City of Decatur, relying on donations, non-profit leases, event rentals, and volunteers to sustain its programming (Decatur does continue to provide park maintenance and upkeep).
Volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance, native habitat workdays, and chapel gardening. Upcoming events: CompassionCon (Oct. 26), Refugee Women’s Network Gala (Nov. 6), and “Campout at Legacy” for monthly donors.
- Learn more or sign up to help: decaturlegacypark.com
District 4 & County Updates
Speaker: DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Chakira Johnson
DeKalb County is addressing key infrastructure and housing initiatives, including a 10-by-10 water rate plan (10% increase per year for 10 years) to fund required sewer and water repairs. The county remains under a federal consent decree to improve sewer systems, including ongoing work to mitigate flooding in Dearborn Park.
More information can be found at The DeKalb County of Watershed Management and its current projects in this presentation from a February 2025 Town Hall on the topic.
Neighbors can report odors, sinkholes, or erosion to the county via a form at https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/form/all-water-quality-and-water-sewe
Commissioner Johnson had no updates No updates on the Kroger on Memorial.
The community zoning for the tiny cottage development proposed for the Midway Woods area near Columbia Drive and the Spirit and Truth Sanctuary property was approved to be completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027. (More information on this project can be found at the Urbanize Atlanta website).
Commissioner Johnson also reported progress on transitional housing at Park 500 on Columbia Drive and a future large-scale shelter project with community partners.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned that the county has openings for volunteers on several committees such as the SPLOST oversight committee – https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/splost/citizen-involvement-1, airport committee – https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/airport/pdk-advisory-board, and other advisory councils.
Commissioner Johnson’s podcast “Chakira Speaks” features guests such as DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, updates on housing and infrastructure, budget proposals, public safety and other topics and can be found here: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/podcast
Public Safety
Speakers: Major Emanuel McCown, Dekalb County Police Department North Central Precinct Commander & Beyunka Foster, Public Education Specialist, and other members of the Dekalb County police Department
Major McCown shared that crime in our area is down overall this year, but acknowledged recent isolated incidents of crime and assault. To help deter further issues, patrols will be increased in Midway Woods for the next month.
Highlights:
- Operations targeting street racing on Memorial and other areas in July and August resulted in 25 arrests, 9 firearms seized, and 25 vehicles impounded this summer.
- Residents are urged to report all incidents to 911 rather than posting only on social media.
- You can register home security cameras to assist investigations at connectdekalbcounty.org.
- For non-emergency issues: 678-406-7929
- Crime in the neighborhood can be tracked at https://www.crimemapping.com/map/ga/dekalbcounty.
Community programs include “Coffee with a Cop,” “Lunch with a Cop,” and Neighborhood Watch sign-ups. Contact Beyunka Foster at bfoster@dekalbcounty.ga.gov for more information.
Watershed & Infrastructure
Speaker: Tiffany Sampson, DeKalb County Watershed Management
The Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer Replacement Project will replace 13 miles of sewer line in three phases.
- Section 1 (2026–27) is currently out to bid.
- Section 3 (Midway Woods area) is scheduled for 2034.
Residents can visit the project site for updates: dekalbcountyga.gov/watershed-management/shoal-creek-trunk-sewer-replacement-project
Information from our neighborhood meeting with the county to discuss this project, held in August, 2025, can be found here: https://www.midwaywoodsassociation.org/2025/08/29/shoal-creek-trunk-sewer-replacement-project-meeting/
Midway Woods Association Business
The MWA Board is looking for new volunteers! Several members’ terms are ending, and we’re seeking neighbors to join the board and help shape our community’s events, communications, and advocacy.
Dues are optional but fund essentials like the website, flyers, and community events. Board elections will take place via email ballot this fall for 2025–26. It’s not too late to become a member! Sign up today to become a member of the Midway Woods Association!
👉 We are also looking for residents who are interested in joining our board
Several current members are finishing terms; new board volunteers urgently needed.
Elections will be conducted by email ballot to 2025-2026 Association members (per our bylaws). We hope to send out those ballots next week, the week of October 27th — let us know by then if you are interested in running.
Terms are typically two years with staggered rollover to maintain continuity.
Dues are optional but fund essentials like the website, flyers, events, and PO box.
Events (e.g., holiday party) depend on volunteer participation.Interested in joining the board? Email us at info@midwaywoodsassociation.org or message us on Facebook.
Thank You
We appreciate everyone who attended and contributed to this year’s meeting. Together we’re building a stronger, more connected Midway Woods.