Chimney Park behind the Newton County Library on Floyd Street has a thick canopy of shade trees, fanciful ruins of a once grand home, places to explore, places to be still and listen to nature, or places to read and picnic, but something is missing.

    Most days it is packed with parents or grandparents overseeing exploring toddlers, or singular readers or picnickers seeking quiet from busy days.  But if you use a wheelchair or walker, your access is difficult if not impossible. 

   What Chimney Park is missing is paved pathways that would enable young and old with mobility issues to access the unique urban park and to enjoy the community events scheduled there during the year.

  But there’s a plan to change all that.

   Mansfield’s Charlie Elliott Conference Center will be the setting for an evening of food, festivities. and a fun and exciting live and silent auction on Saturday, Sept. 14^. The Friends of Newton Parks, Inc., is hosting a Tribute to David Waller, a local parks and trails advocate who retired from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources after a lauded career in wildlife management.

     While paying tribute to the life and career achievements of Waller, the event is also designed to benefit Chimney Park, the trailhead for the most recently completed leg of the cross-county trail system. All proceeds from the affair will go toward paved pathways inside the park to enable wheelchair-bound individuals to enjoy the park just like anyone else.

    Previously invitation only, the event is now being opened to the public.

   “David Waller is recognized as a leader in this community in the protection and conservation of wildlife resources, natural spaces and outdoor activities likes parks and trails,” said Jean Austin, chairman of Friends of Newton Parks, Inc.  “His friends, fans and longtime associates have contributed an amazing list of live and silent auction items, including coveted hunting and fishing packages, and we believe that many more than have been invited would like to be included in the bidding for these items.

 “Every dollar raised from ticket sales and auctions will be put to their best purposes: the construction of paved pathways to allow access into the park for daily enjoyment and participation in our regular spring and winter events.”

   Dinner tickets are $50 each and include a cocktail reception beginning at 5 p.m.

   Visit the Chimney Park website at www.chimney-park.com for details and to order tickets through PayPal.

    For further information, contact Linda Shore at 404-408-9366.  The absolute deadline for tickets is Friday, Aug. 30.