A commitment to community and conservation
When Norcross acquired Pinnacle Park, the area required significant work. The small lake behind the business park was functioning as a stormwater retention facility, surrounded by overgrowth, dilapidated bridges and deteriorating sidewalks.
“The city identified what has now become Pinnacle Park as a green space that could serve the community on the eastern side of Buford Highway,” said Norcross City Arborist, Shahin Khalili.
This effort aimed to bridge the gap between East Norcross and the other side of Buford Highway, which had historically received more attention in development projects.
Clearing overgrowth with eco-friendly solutions
Clearing the overgrowth was a priority. To support its commitment to being a Platinum Green Community, the city took an eco-friendly approach by hiring a team of goats to clear the vegetation.
“The goats were certainly a hit with the local community,” Khalili said.
Residents frequently visited to watch the goats at work. The goats even made an appearance at the park’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 13, 2019, where they “chomped” the ribbon alongside local officials.
Initial challenges and community response
The goats cleared kudzu, privet and other invasive species over five weeks. This method avoided the need for harsh chemicals, aligning with the city’s sustainability goals. The city also tackled other challenges, including removing downed trees, dredging the retention pond and stabilizing the creek embankment adjacent to the park to prevent overflow into the pond.
An existing office building was demolished, while trails, bridges and sidewalks were reclaimed. New recreational and green infrastructure, including playgrounds, pavilions, BBQ facilities and walking trails were added to enhance the park’s appeal. By the park’s launch in 2019, $2 million had been invested, opening 12 acres of green space to the East Norcross community.
“It continues to be frequented and used quite a lot by the local community,” Khalili added.
Creating the arboretum
Selecting native plants and trees for the arboretum was a carefully considered process. The park already featured many mature native trees, which were complemented by the addition of 29 more trees during a volunteer event with Trees Atlanta.
“The criteria for selecting trees focused on species that thrive in Georgia and showcase the region’s vibrant landscape,” Khalili noted. The Pinnacle Park Arboretum currently has 32 tree species, with plans for further expansion.
The creation of the arboretum was guided by standards and guidelines from ArbNet, a Morton Arboretum register and database of tree-focused public gardens.
“The primary criteria for a level one arboretum was the collection of a minimum of 25 trees of individual species clearly identified throughout the garden,” said Charlotte Osborn, chair of the Norcross Tree Preservation Board (TPB).
Each tree in the arboretum is labeled with permanent plaques in English, Latin and Spanish, ensuring accessibility and education for all visitors.
Conservation obstacles
One significant conservation effort at the arboretum involved the introduction of Torreya taxifolia, a critically endangered species.
“We chose the Torreya taxifolia because we saw it was a critically endangered species that needed help migrating north as temperatures warm globally,” Khalili explained.
However, the program was halted after it was discovered that the trees could carry a fungal pathogen potentially harmful to other species. “We decided to play it safe and end the program,” he said.
Despite this setback, the arboretum remains committed to launching multiple conservation programs for various species soon.
Daily management
Day-to-day and seasonal management of the arboretum involves routine tasks such as mowing the turf and maintaining infrastructure. “Otherwise, the trees and shrubs take care of themselves for the most part, with semi-regular check-ups and monitoring,” Khalili said.
The arboretum boosts local biodiversity and ecological resilience by providing habitats for native wildlife and educating the community on environmental stewardship.
“More native plants mean more native bugs and animals, which increases population and diversity in the area,” Khalili explained.
These ongoing maintenance tasks ensure that the arboretum remains a vibrant, healthy environment for both plants and wildlife. The staff at Pinnacle Park also monitors the health of the trees, checking for signs of disease or stress. This proactive approach helps prevent potential issues from escalating, preserving the integrity of the arboretum.
Engaging the community
The arboretum is designed to be an educational resource, offering tree tours and an educational page on the city’s website. “We also have a virtual tree tour, which we are working on updating with the new species now found in the arboretum,” Khalili noted.
Community involvement has been a key focus, with events such as the Hyundai Group’s staff volunteer trash clean-up day in May 2024. Volunteering offers residents opportunities to engage with the park and learn about the importance of tree preservation and native plant species.
The arboretum’s virtual tree tour and educational page provide valuable resources for educating the local community on tree preservation and removal practices.
“Archived on this page are all past Tree Talk articles, a column we have run in the city’s monthly newsletter for the past several years,” Khalili added.
These resources help reinforce the arboretum’s role in the community as an accessible and informative green space.
Enhancing visibility
The Norcross Pinnacle Park Arboretum is entering a phase where it’s ready to be showcased on a larger scale.
“We anticipate the impact on the community will be one of delight and pride,” Osborn said.
The TPB is actively strategizing on how to spread the word and encourage residents and visitors to experience the garden of trees. Through partnerships with organizations like the Georgia Forestry Commission, the arboretum aims to attract various groups and visitors, enhancing its visibility and educational reach.
In the coming years, the arboretum plans to expand its outreach efforts, hosting more events and activities that draw attention to the importance of tree conservation and environmental stewardship. These events will serve to educate the public and foster a sense of community around the shared goal of preserving and protecting the natural environment.
Educational outreach
Educational outreach remains a critical component of the arboretum’s mission. The park hosts community events such as Arbor Day and is considering Earth Day meet-ups to engage the community further.
“There are so many possibilities for the future,” Khalili shared.
Plans are also underway to involve local schools in field trips led by city staff and volunteers.
“We want to offer students a place to learn about the ecological makeup of our natural world and the importance of conservation,” Osborn said. The goal is to elevate educational programs to involve higher learning institutions in partnerships and research initiatives focused on forest ecology and tree conservation.
The arboretum’s educational outreach also extends to adults, with workshops and seminars planned to teach residents about native landscaping, sustainable gardening practices and the benefits of incorporating native plants into their own gardens. These programs aim to empower residents with the knowledge they need to make environmentally conscious decisions in their own lives, contributing to the overall health of the community.
Unexpected obstacles
The transformation of Pinnacle Park from a kudzu-covered area to a thriving arboretum required several specific ecological remediation techniques.
“We did have an issue with beavers destroying the recently planted trees at the onset,” Khalili noted. Several trees had to be replaced, and barriers were installed around all trees until they had grown sufficiently to withstand local wildlife.
The team at Pinnacle Park has worked tirelessly to overcome these challenges, constantly adapting their strategies to protect the arboretum and ensure its success. The lessons learned from these experiences have informed future conservation efforts, helping to refine the park’s approach to ecological management. The park’s development has not only created a thriving environment for local wildlife but has also been significantly enhanced by the establishment of the arboretum.
A valuable resource
The long-term vision for the arboretum includes advancing to level two accreditation, enhancing educational programs and collaborating with higher learning institutions for research.
“We envision collaboration with other arboreta and relevant organizations to advance and, of particular interest, to participate in assisted migration of endangered tree species,” Osborn shared.
Pinnacle Park and its arboretum are integral to the city’s long-term vision for greater connectivity, mobility and equal access to green spaces throughout the community. The park connects to the Beaver Ruin Creek Greenway, an ongoing project with over three miles of paved trails linking Historic Norcross to East Norcross.
“As the arboretum expands, it will be able to expand into the greenway, further diversifying the local ecosystem and conserving Norcross’ tree canopy,” Khalili said.
The connection to the greenway is a significant step in creating a seamless network of green spaces throughout Norcross. It offers residents and visitors a continuous, natural experience that enhances the quality of life in the city.
A proud achievement
Mayor Craig Newton expressed his pride in the project. “In 2019, Pinnacle Park brought to life a long-held vision for the city to provide underserved areas of the community equal access to parks and green space. Having incorporated innovative development practices to subscribe to ARC’s Platinum Green Community guidelines, it has also embodied the city’s commitment to sustainability. With the installation of the park’s new arboretum — the first ever in Gwinnett — and its plans for growth in collaboration with the adjacent, in-development Beaver Ruin Creek Greenway, we are proud to be furthering that initial mission in new and evolving ways and are so appreciative of our Tree Preservation Board for making it all happen.”
The success of Pinnacle Park and its arboretum is a result of the collaborative efforts of the city, its residents, and numerous organizations dedicated to creating a space that serves both the environment and the community. The park has become a symbol of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision and a commitment to sustainability.
The future of Pinnacle Park Arboretum
The Norcross Pinnacle Park Arboretum reflects the city’s dedication to community, conservation and collaboration. Through the combined efforts of city officials, volunteers and local organizations, it has transformed into a green space that benefits both the environment and the community. As the arboretum grows, it will continue to serve as a valuable resource for future generations, contributing to local biodiversity and offering a place of learning and reflection for all who visit.
As the park evolves, the city of Norcross remains focused on its long-term goals of creating a connected, sustainable and vibrant community. The insights gained from the development of Pinnacle Park will inform future projects. This will ensure that Norcross continues to grow as a leader in urban conservation and community building. The Pinnacle Park Arboretum is not just a park; it’s an example of what is possible when a community comes together to create something truly special.
For more information about the arboretum and Norcross Tree Tours, visit norcrosstours.com/trees.
