Additional Resources Guide
A Nature & History Tour of Decatur's Legacy Park
with the DeKalb History Center
This educational walking tour exploring the natural history of Legacy Park led by Joey Goodall and Tony Able took place on July 11, 2026, in partnership with the DeKalb History Center.
Located at the historic Legacy Park in Decatur, GA, the +/-1.3 mile route through the 22-ac nature conservation easement at the back of the former United Methodist Children's Home. We explored the site's history and recent transformation into a regional park, providing an introduction to the forest, stream, pond, beaver activity and environmental stewardship efforts.
Please enjoy the list of additional resources below that inspired and informed the walking route and discussion.
Historic Map courtesy of the DeKalb History Center.
Tour Map
Map background courtesy of Google Maps,
with the Start ("S") and route in red, and three beaver dams (1-3) in green.
Photos by J. Goodall and L. Goodall
Learn More About Local History
Online Resources:
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Decatur Legacy Park Overview:
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Legacy Decatur (non-profit managing park)
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Trees Atlanta Forest Restoration Project, see also a Oct. 2025 Update
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Decatur and Park History:
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Decatur People's History by Beacon Hill Black Alliance
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Winnona Park Neighborhood History (from NPS)
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United Methodist Children's Home History (visit the exhibit at the DeKalb History Center)
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1910 Photograh in New Georgia Encyclopedia
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Reverend Jesse Boring (founded the Decatur Children's Home)
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Decaturish profile on Dorsey Nobles (former children's home resident and now facilities manager)
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Dr. Jane Goodall visits Legacy Park in Oct. 2023
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Learn More About Beavers:
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An essay recounting of the first beaver tour I went on with Tony Able
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Eager by Ben Goldfarb
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Beaverland by Leila Philip
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A short profile in Orion by Kathleen Yale
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Non-profits currently located at the park:
Check Out These Atlanta-related Books at an Indie Bookstore or Library:
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Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey
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The March by E.L. Doctorow
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Hiking Atlanta's Intown Forests by Jonah McDonald and Zara Pouncy
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Andrew Young and the Making of Modern Atlanta by Andrew Young, Harvey Newman & Andrea Young
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Creek Country: The Creek Indians and Their World by Robbie Ethridge
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The Pool is Closed by Hannah Palmer
Follow my writing:
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Essays, poetry and fiction on the interconnectedness of our common life: www.jrgoodall.com
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A Walk in the Creek, an online nature journal about my backyard creek: josephrgoodall.substack.com
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What the Bird Sees in Flight, an historical fiction novel-in-stories: bookshop.org
Follow the DeKalb History Center:
Programming, exhibits and resources at: https://dekalbhistory.org/
Follow the Southeast Beaver Alliance:
Programming, exhibits and resources at: https://www.southeastbeaver.org/
