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For more Brookhaven headlines, subscribe to our daily newsletter at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters. Brookhaven and Briarwood Parks to reopen with big upgrades By Logan C. Ritchie After months of renovation and construction, Brookhaven Park and Briarwood Park welcomed visitors back just before Thanksgiving. A ribbon cutting ceremony was on Nov. 25 at Brookhaven Park, which features a large, improved dog park and the tallest Robinia wood play structure in the U.S. Improvements to Brookhaven Park started immediately after the city took possession of the park from DeKalb County in April 2022. The park has a larger parking lot, two pavilions and restroom areas, improved walkways, and a dog splash pad. On Dec. 7, the city opened an ice skating rink as part of Holidays in the ‘Haven. “This ribbon-cutting marks an important step in bringing the community’s vision from the Brookhaven Park Master Plan to life,” City Councilmember Madeleine Simmons said. “With these new amenities, families and pets alike now have even more spaces to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors.” Councilmember Jennifer Owens said Briarwood Park — the final project of the $40 million park bond — held a small ceremony on Nov. 25. Briarwood Park has an improved parking lot with lighting, a dumpster pad, 2024 City Council & Board Meetings, 4362 Peachtree Rd NE Tuesday, Dec. 3 City Council 6:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. work session) 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13 Development Authority Wednesday, Dec. 4 Planning Commission 7 p.m. (5:30 p.m. work session) Wednesday, Dec. 11 Arts & Culture Commission 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 City Council 6:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. work session) Wednesday, Dec. 18 Board of Appeals 7 p.m. (5:30 p.m. work session) ^ City Hall closed Dec. 24 & 25 Updates & more info at www.BrookhavenGA.gov/Calendar Brookhaven Park’s new playground. (Courtesy City of Brookhaven) EV chargers, stormwater improvements, a new entry, loop trails, and a community garden. Plans are underway for a larger celebration to commemorate the upgraded community garden in the spring. “The city’s parks and green spaces are vital to our community identity,” Owens said. “The completion of the 2018 Park Bond projects should be celebrated.” Flock cameras help police solve homicide at Blackburn Park By Logan C. Ritchie Thanks to the city’s investment in Flock cameras, the Brookhaven Police Department has arrested and charged three suspects with felony murder and armed robbery in connection with a Nov. 9 homicide at Blackburn Park on Ashford Dunwoody Road. Decatur resident Brandon Xavier Davis, 21, was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound near the tennis courts around 5:25 p.m. BPD said evidence indicates that the three suspects — Azra Sheppard, Diamoni Henry, and Davion Meux — conspired to lure the victim to Blackburn Park under the pretense of a business transaction, with the intent to rob him. Video from Flock cameras provided critical leads, enabling detectives to identify and locate the suspects. “This rapid progress highlights the value of investing in Flock Safety’s resources, which—when paired with the expertise of our investigative team—enabled us to solve this case in a significantly shorter time frame than would otherwise have been possible,” a press release stated. Brookhaven Mayor John Park said he hopes the development brings a “small degree of comfort to the grieving family.” “Brookhaven’s ongoing investments in cutting-edge crime fighting technology has once again brought a swift resolution to this senseless and violent crime,” said Park. Chief Brandon Gurley said the investigation “highlights the critical role of inter-agency cooperation and methodical police work in achieving justice.” Additional charges could be filed. On Nov. 8, one day prior to the Blackburn Park murder, a 15-year-old male was shot at approximately 3:30 p.m. on at ParkTowne North apartment complex at North Cliff Valley and Buford Highway. The minor was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital in Brookhaven. An investigation by BPD revealed that the victim had arrived at the location expecting a physical altercation but was met with gunfire instead. A juvenile suspect has been arrested on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Additional charges may be forthcoming. BPD is urging the public to contact the department with information regarding either incident by calling (404) 637-0600. 8 | DECEMBER 2024 ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM
