Erosion:

Continued from Page 7 chief communications officer with Fulton County Schools.

Contact information for the residents was sent to Noyes March 23.

Healthier days

Stephanie intended to tag along with her husband on the steam bank tour and said she would have to put on her boots. While she decided to stay in after all, she handed over a sticky note with a list of other families, including Brian and Alexis Whitman.

Alexis, who lives next door on Linbrook Lane, joined Dave to offer her perspective. The Whitmans moved in a few years before the Daniels. She recalled a once-healthy stream.

“It makes me so sad because when my kids were little this thing was full of 3- to 4-inch brim,” Alexis said. “They would fish back here. We had ducks that nested. It's all washed away. It's all gone.”

Alexis said she is at risk of losing her wildlife habitat certificate, which she’s had for more than a decade.

In addition to a $20 fee, the National Wildlife Federation lists necessary components to apply for certification. Applicants must provide at least one clean water source, three food sources, two places for cover, two places for wildlife to mate and raise young and engage in at least two categories of sustainable practices.

The Whitmans have a bat box attached to a 20-foot pole close to the bank, now barely hanging on. Their irrigation system, which was planted 5 feet from the bank, is now poking out of the dirt. Brian’s composting bin washed away around the same day it was built, a flood carrying its pieces at least 50 feet into Dave’s yard by the creek. Dave obliged Alexis with the cleanup.

Another resident was listed separately on the back of Stephanie’s note. She was said to have spent thousands of dollars to shore up, a process of reinforcement and prevention. Another entry on the list was “Dobe - moved,” referring to a family Stephanie said had left Parsons Run because they couldn’t tolerate the mess.

Stephanie showed pictures before erosion swept away up to 20 feet of her backyard, and the bridge that the Whitmans constructed. In one photo, Stephanie is tending to a homemade beehive while her dog snoops around. The fence is much farther back than where it sits now, and there are no fallen trees.

Revisiting those pictures, taken about six years ago, brought Stephanie to tears.

Buyers beware

Johns Creek City Councilman Larry DiBiase, a resident in Parsons Run, is in real estate by trade. He called attention to Georgia’s contract law, “Caveat Emptor,” which translates to, “Let the buyer beware.”

“I suspect most real estate agents don't have any understanding of what a stream can do, and the consequences down the road for them,” DiBiase said. “The property owners today — the burden is on them to take care of their personal property, but it’s a heavy lift.”

DiBiase said it could be $100,000 to fix some of the problems residents in Parsons Run are facing. If buyers have done their work, he said their property would be devaluated.

“Most people when they buy a property — look at the house, look at the backyard and are like, ‘Wow, the kids can play in the stream’ and all that,” DiBiase said. “But they don't realize the damage a stream can do.”

The creekside properties, catching a deluge of water and waste every time it rains, lie in a flood plain. But the whole city lies in a basin. city’s website, looks for ways to improve the water quality of Johns Creek by reducing fecal coliform. The plan also outlines potential regional projects, which can take pressure off some of the waterways downstream.

The City Council approved engineering services for one project March 14 at its work session, intended to restore a tributary of Johns Creek that feeds and forms Creekside Park’s ponds. The task order is to be fully funded by Fiscal Year 2023’s Stormwater Utility budget.

But Rayburn said the project in Creekside won’t directly impact what’s been observed in Parsons Run, whose stream is a sub-watershed.

What to do

Parsons Run resident Stephanie Daniels tends to a homemade beehive six years ago. At the time, the Daniels had about 20 more feet of land between the fence and the bank. The neighbor’s bridge, seen in the background, has since been swept away.

Stormwater has been a large point of discussion in Johns Creek local government. DiBiase is taking the lead in the mayor’s stormwater task force alongside Councilman Dilip Tunki, and they are now deciding the group’s objectives. So far, Dibiase said he sat down with Stormwater’s Rayburn and Public Works Director Chris Haggard.

The city is constrained by time, money and technology. But DiBiase said his approach to stormwater is to “take the gloves off.”

“Let's look at this and say, ‘If we had unlimited funds, if we can go outside our comfort zone in technology and look at some innovative ways to fix some of these problems, what can we do?’” DiBiase said.

In January, the Johns Creek Watershed Stormwater Master Plan was completed. The document, yet to be posted on the

Ann Arnette, the Parsons Run Homeowners Association president said, the HOA budgets money for a five-year plan that allows for engineers to maintain the community’s public spaces like the tennis courts, clubhouse and pool. But the association’s treasurer Chris Normand who lives next door to Dave and Stephanie Daniels, said the HOA doesn’t have the jurisdiction to fund engineering efforts on individual property.

Normand has been in the same house for 20 years. He has observed some erosion, like an uncovered ceramic pipe in the creek. The pipe was said to have been an old one, not part of an active system anymore.

But Normand said he hadn’t considered the erosion to be bad enough to do anything about it. He also said he is “lazy.”

To mitigate bank erosion, Rayburn said residents could introduce more vegetation along the stream bank, like silky dogwood that can grow in a shaded area and thrive in areas close to the water. He said their root systems should expand deep below the ground to help hold the creek bank together.

“The more vegetation you have along the bank, the better,” Rayburn said.

Rayburn also mentioned more costly reinforcement that entails constructing walls of hardened materials, like riprap, and the design must be carefully done.

Before Johns Creek was incorporated in 2006, Parsons Run resident Alexis Whitman said Fulton County provided 10 tons of riprap for free and placed it on the street. When she first began noticing the erosion 15 years ago, Alexis received a $20,000 estimate for riprap.

A caveat, though, is that impervious surfaces like riprap increase water velocity.

Residents could also add live stakes that eventually grow into trees with the riprap for a mix of natural and hardened materials, Rayburn said. The stakes cost about $3 apiece.

Alexis said she had azaleas and hydrangeas along the stream and had doubts about planting any more vegetation.

“I mean, am I gonna spend money to put something down there just to wash it away?” she asked.

ROSWELL DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘MARY POPPINS’

What: Follow Mary Poppins as she adds sunshine, adventure and magic to the previously solemn and serious Banks home. Join Jane and Michael as practically perfect Mary introduces them to the charming Bert. They explore the rooftops of London, enjoy a spoonful of sugar, fly a kite and do it all in the most delightful way.

When: March 30-April 1, times vary

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $30

More info: citysprings.com

GEORGIA ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘BRIGHT STAR’

What: An editor in 1940s North Carolina sets out to find the true story of her difficult history in this homey musical that flits between the present and the past in a heartbeat. The emotional and uplifting Appalachian tale is inspired by a true story and features a Tony-nominated bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

When: March 30-April 16, time vary

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell

Cost: Tickets start at $32

More info: get.org

Dunwoody Farmers Market

What: The Dunwoody Farmers Market brings together a variety of vendors selling local and organic fruits, veggies and produce, coffee, breakfast, baked goods, prepared meals, frozen treats, eggs, grass-fed meat and fresh seafood.

When: Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dunwoodyga.gov

Fairy House Or Gnome Home Workshop

What: After a long, cold winter the fairy houses and gnome homes are ready for a refresh. Bring your imagination to the first Spring Fairy House and Gnome Home event. Kids and adults will be

Sandy Springs Farmers Market

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning from April 8 to November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods, and many participants offer pre-orders.

When: Saturday, April 8, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/farmersmarket provided with natural materials like seed pods, pinecones, bark and nuts to build a structure to take home or to leave at Lost Corner for all to enjoy. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

When: Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.

Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: $15 per person, $30 per family

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

‘THE NICETIES’ AT STAGE DOOR THEATRE

What: Zoe is a young Black student at a liberal arts college. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives of the founding fathers between her and her liberal, tenured professor explodes into a tightrope of what it means to hear and what it means to listen.

When: Up to April 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for students, $15 for children

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/theniceties/

Lazy Dog Spring Menu Tasting

What: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is hosting a special sneak peek event to celebrate its new, seasonal menu additions. Taste your way through a special four-course menu featuring reimagined favorites from past menus and new flavors to kick off the season. The event is for two people.

When: April 2-April 4, 4-9 p.m.

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Where: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, 4532 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $85 for two More info: lazydogrestaurants.com/ spring-menu-tasting

MUTATE AT FIVE

What: Mutate at Five is a free familyfriendly, beer, wine, music and food festival held every first Thursday from April to October.

When: Thursday, April 6, 5-9 p.m.

Where: City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: visitsandysprings.org

Sandy Springs Farmers Market

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning from April 8 to November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods, and many participants offer pre-orders.

When: Saturday, April 8, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/farmersmarket

Sami Beigi Live In Atlanta

What: Performing in the area for the first time, popular Iranian singer/songwriter, guitarist and producer Sami Beigi was nominated for three World Music Awards in 2014. Formerly a member of the Persian Black Cats, he’ll have you dancing the night away with his many successful singles, including “Yeki Bood Yeki Nabood,” “Ey Joonam,” “HMG” and “In Eshghe.” He's joined in this appearance by one of the pioneers of Persian Rap, Erfan.

When: Saturday, April 8, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theater, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $79-199

More info: citysprings.com

SANDY SPRINGS ARTSAPALAOOZA

What: The two-day festival features a children’s play area, local musicians, interactive art stations in addition to up to 150 arts and crafts participants in every discipline. On Easter Sunday, the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces is hosting the largest Easter Egg Hunt in Sandy Springs with more than 10,000 hidden Easter eggs.

When: Saturday & Sunday, April 8-April 9

Where: 6100 Lake Forrest Drive, Sandy Springs

More info: sandyspringsartsapalooza. com