Constructed in 1891 for the Georgia Railroad, the Decatur Depot was in a serious state of deterioration in 1999. DPA worked with the City of Decatur and raised funds to save and stabilize the historic structure. Today, it is owned by the City and is leased as a restaurant.
In 2002, the Morse family donated Woodlands to DPA stipulating that it be maintained for future generations to experience and enjoy. DPA developed a master plan to ensure the accomplishment of the Morse family's goals. In 2011, Woodlands Garden of Decatur became an independent non-profit.
DPA's Friends of Decatur Cemetery has oversight of the historic section of the cemetery, the city's largest green space. The committee collects history, provides landscaping, and maintains the historic gravesites. Decatur Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Woodlands Garden and Decatur Cemetery are part of the City of Decatur's Greenspace Preservation Corridor Master Plan, which connects Decatur's parks and other greenspaces from Dearborn Park at the southern end of the City to Woodlands at the northern boundary.
Begun in 2003, Decatur's MLK Jr. Service Project provides free house maintenance and repair for Decatur's needy senior homeowners each January. In January 2012, more than 1,200 volunteers repaired 21 homes and did yard work for an additional 45. For more information, visit www.mlkserviceproject.com.
© Copyright 2009. Decatur Preservation Alliance
