Clifton Community Partnership

Five Questions article:
Five Questions: Pamela Papner, President of Virginia-Highland Civic Association
February 24, 2010
Source: Community Partnership Update/March 2010

1. Virginia-Highland is one of the most livable communities in America. How does the Virginia-Highland Civic Association (VHCA) fund community improvement projects?

The VHCA has two primary fundraisers to support our community. Summerfest is an art and music festival held the first weekend in June. The Va-Hi Tour of Homes, held in early December, features tours of local homes with food tastings by local restaurants. In January, we also held our first silent auction at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center to benefit the Orme Park and New Highland Park projects.

Proceeds from those events are spent on many things, including loan payments on the New Highland Park, safety initiatives like neighborhood patrols, flowers/doggie bags for local parks, year-end grants to organizations that support our community like local schools, our public library, PEDS, Trees Atlanta and others.

2. Where is Orme Park located and what are the plans for redevelopment?

Orme Park is tucked inside quiet residential streets in the northwest section of Va-Hi. We began raising funds to upgrade two acres of the park, extending along Brookridge Drive from the entrance near the bridge to the entrance past the playground area. The enhancements are in line with the Master Visioning Plan approved by the VHCA and NPU-F in 2007 and will retain Orme's woodsy look and feel. This project is being performed under the auspices of the City of Atlanta Parks department, which owns the property.

3.What are the plans for the new park?

The VHCA recently purchased two lots adjacent to N. Highland Avenue at 1076 and 1082 St. Charles Place. These two lots are currently vacant (the site of the former public library), and the intention is to turn them into green space where the community can come together. The park is tentatively called New Highland Park.

Through our new nonprofit subsidiary, Virginia-Highland Conservation League, we've raised just over $40,000 by selling commemorative bricks and through donations and other various fundraising activities, many sponsored by Atkins Park neighbors. Two local residents have provided pro bono services to design the park. Plans can be viewed online at www.vahi.org.

4. How does your full-time job assist you with your role as president of VHCA?

I work for AT&T Mobility as executive director of international product marketing, and I have been in the wireless telecommunications field since the mid-90s. Leading a group of volunteers is quite different from work because everyone has many other priorities, no one is paid and everyone wants to feel their contribution is worthwhile. Thus, encouraging productive conversation, building consensus, efficiently executing a plan and being appreciative of everyone's contributions are the 'work' skills that have most helped me as president of VHCA.

5. How long have you lived in Virginia-Highland and what keeps you there?

I have lived here for about eight years. Our pedestrian-friendly village atmosphere and the community engagement are what keep me here; neighbors are very active and involved. I think that’s what makes us unique.