Environment

200-plus ducks? ‘Creek Rising’ must be upon us

September 5, 2023September 6, 2023

By David Pendered

Sept. 5 – Even without the rubber ducks, the Sept. 14 party hosted by the South Fork Conservancy would be a special occasion.

But this is the 16^th Anniversary Creek Rising party and there will be ducks.

The duck race in a prior year began with the ceremonial launching of a flock of ducks into the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. (Credit: Paul Ward)

More than 200 rubber ducks are to race down the South Fork of Peachtree Creek on Sept. 14. These ducks have become an icon of the SFC’s celebrations of the ongoing effort to reclaim the South Fork from the jaws of “urban stream syndrome” and return it to a more natural state. Each duck is to be retrieved and commended for its support of the effort.

The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit South Fork Conservancy.

Tickets are still available to the event at Zonolite Park that promises to be a family-friendly gathering with food and festivities and the prospect of beginning another year’s work on the creek.

As the SFC observes, “This event will feature artisanal cocktails inspired by nature, a superb dinner, and Atlanta’s best Rubber Duck Race. Each year, Creek Rising provides the perfect opportunity to be inspired for another year of trail blazing and restoration, so please join us!” Elsewhere, SFC highlights a raffle that offers “over $2,000 in prizes including a Big Green Egg, penguin encounter, Patagonia gear, and much more.” A quilt auction has drawn such interest over the years that some are purchased long before the event.

The SFC’s success in building community support for the project stands out amid the national debate over environmental protection of waterways.

Ducks who’ve completed the race are retrieved and commended for joining in the Creek Rising party hosted by the South Fork Conservancy. (Credit: Paul Ward)

The conservancy was formed in 2008, during the depth of the Great Recession, with the bold hope of reclaiming the South Fork from degradation.

Since that time, the national politics have seen the Obama and Trump administrations alter the definition of what defines a waterway and what protections are available. The Biden administration weighed in just last week.

On Aug. 29, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army announced their joint final rule to define the “waters of the United States.” The ruling aims to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA that required new rules to implement the landmark Clean Water Act of 1972.

Throughout these tumultuous years, the South Fork Conservancy has pursued its mission. Stream banks have been cleaned, fields reclaimed and trails blazed.

The most prominent sign of progress may be the Confluence Trail Pedestrian Bridge. The ADA-accessible bridge serves two neighborhoods deemed as in high need of park access, as well as providing a point for a future connection to the Atlanta BeltLine.

The vast extent of the mission and volunteer achievements are highlighted in the mission statement:

“The mission of the South Fork Conservancy is to restore and preserve habitat along the tributaries of Peachtree Creek. We give the community access to these heathy, restored greenspaces by building and maintaining nature trails. In 2021, South Fork Conservancy furthered this mission in several impactful ways.
“The organization completed the confluence bridge and adjoining ramp system that connects over 35 acres of green space along the North and South Forks of Peachtree Creek. SFC spearheaded the creation of a new public park and new trail segments. SFC also maintained our trail system wit hthe help of 1,055 volunteer service hours.”

Click here for more information about Creek Rising, a fundraiser for the South Fork Conservancy on Sept. 14 at Zonolite Park. The website has links tickets for the event and raffle, the quilt auction and raffle, and sponsorship opportunities.