We've always known that our neighborhood Fern Park - located between Dahlonega and Dawsonville, Ga. - was unique, but now Southern Living wants its readers to know just how unique Fern Park is.In this month's issue of Southern Living, the developer of Fern Park was recognized for her efforts in turning an old family farm into a conservation subdivision. Dana Lachance received Honorable Mention as a 2012 Southern Living Hero of the New South. Dana, long known for her conservation efforts, was sited for creating "an eco-friendly subdivision, proving development doesn’t have to compromise natural resources and landscape."
Being a woman land developer can't be easy, especially if that developer wants to go green. Dana stood by her conservation conscience, and as a result, Fern Park is a beautiful place to live. The heavily-wooded 28-home subdivision has as its centerpiece, a 25 acre conservation area. Here we have a picnic pavilion, an area set aside for a community garden, and the beginning of winding nature trails through our fern-filled woods.Wild flowers bloom in the park three seasons a year. Children play baseball and soccer or just wander the trails with their dogs. Deer wander in the park at night, and in the summer, a bear sighting or two is not uncommon.
Lumpkin County is filled with great neighborhoods, but none quite like Fern Park. We're delighted that others, including Southern Living, are recognizing the Dana's ecological efforts. Congratulations, Dana LaChance.
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| Fern Park pavilion at entrance of neighborhood. |
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| One of the walking trails in the conservation neighborhood. |
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| Homes have beautifully 'green' landscapes. |
http://www.southernliving.com/travel/1203-heroes-bethea-00417000077371/
Yet if it was TRULY a "green" sundivision...no water sprinkler systems would be allowed. Same goes for lawns in general. How about the chemicals everyone there puts on their lawns that seep into the creeks. On top of that... the homes a not "green" homes to say the least. No solar...no "clean" heat or AC... it's just another GA subdivision with some green space left aside. Nothing more.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, Fern Park might not pass your description of a truly GREEN subdivision. We don't have sheep in the yards eating the grass, but contrary to your opinion, we do have 'solar'. In fact, our hot water heater is powered by solar panels on our roof.
Another 'green' plus is that the homes here are heavily insulated with recycled paper insulation and the windows are double paned. Our heating and cooling costs are drastically lower when compared to our previous homes and other area homes of similar size.
As for 'sprinkler' systems, we don't know of any home in our neighborhood that has one. Our yards are planted with drought resistant plants to minimize water use. And at our house, we have barrels to catch rain water which we use for watering. One neighbor does have a hose with a rotary sprinkler attached, but he uses water from his own well.
True, Fern Park may not fit your description of a TRULY green subdivision, but it sure is a lot 'greener' than 90% of the neighborhoods you'll find in the South...or anywhere else in the U.S.