New Murals on PATH400 Inspire Mental Wellness

Kaiser Permanente sponsors art to promote encouraging, hopeful messages on Buckhead trail

ATLANTA – March 29, 2018 – Research has shown that spending time in nature can be emotionally and mentally restorative. For people on PATH400^SM in Buckhead, their next walk may be even more so, thanks to inspiring new murals. Local artists have created five works of art on large panels along the trail, sharing inspirational messages with everyone walking or jogging between Old Ivy Rd. and Wieuca Rd.

The temporary art installations are part of Kaiser Permanente’s sponsorship of PATH400, and are the latest in a series of changing exhibits designed to make the trail experience more engaging. “Livable Buckhead works with Kaiser Permanente to provide commute solutions for its employees, but this is our first PATH400 partnership and we’re very excited about it,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead.

Mary Wilson, M.D., president and executive medical director of the Kaiser Permanente medical group, agreed. “Kaiser Permanente believes in the total health of not only its members, but the communities it serves,” she said, “Because of that mission, PATH400 makes Kaiser Permanente’s alliance with Livable Buckhead a natural fit.” Kaiser Permanente, already a partner in the development of the Atlanta BeltLine, sees PATH400 as another example of how community efforts can make neighborhoods healthier. “This is an exemplary model of how you can develop spaces that not only encourage physical activity – but nurture the mind and spirit as well.”

Five artists from the Georgia Chalk Artists Guild – Chelsey Austin, Catherine Bozone, Katie Bush, Meg Mitchell and Jessi Queen – have rendered messages such as “You Are Loved,” “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay,” “You Make Everything Beautiful,” and “What We Think We Become” on 25-foot concrete panels in the sound wall that separates PATH400 from GA 400. The murals will be on display for approximately three months.

“We’ve worked with several of these artists on previous PATH400 art installations, and we’re excited to see their latest creations take shape,” said Starling. “This ongoing series of temporary artwork is a great way to bring the arts to Buckhead and to support local artists.”

For more information about PATH400 or to sign up to receive project updates, visit livablebuckhead.org.

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About Livable Buckhead

Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community. The organization achieves its mission by working cooperatively with individuals, public entities and private businesses to integrate sustainable strategies. Livable Buckhead implements programs related to greenspace, recycling, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, arts and culture, real estate development and land use. For more information about Livable Buckhead and its programs, visit livablebuckhead.org.

About Kaiser Permanente of Georgia
Kaiser Permanente is Georgia’s largest not-for-profit health plan. Its mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of its members and the communities it serves. Kaiser Permanente serves more than 300,000 members in a 28-county service area in metro Atlanta with care focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists, and team of heath care providers. Expert and caring medical teams are supported by industry-leading technology and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Nationally, Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers, serving 11.8 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit share.kp.org.

About PATH400

PATH400 is a 5.2-mile walkable, bikeable greenway being constructed on public land adjacent to GA400 extending from the bank of Peachtree Creek northward toward the northern edge of Atlanta. It is the centerpiece of a broader greenspace plan, the Buckhead Collection, initiated by Atlanta Councilman Howard Shook. Livable Buckhead is spearheading the PATH400 project in partnership with the Buckhead Community Improvement District (Buckhead CID) and the PATH Foundation. Several other agencies and organizations are involved in the development of PATH400, including Georgia Department of Transportation, the City of Atlanta, MARTA, Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit B, and Atlanta Public Schools. PATH400 will increase access to community amenities such as arts, historic, and cultural exhibits; neighborhood pocket parks and greenspaces; retail centers; and learning centers. For more information about PATH400 or to donate to the capital campaign, visit livablebuckhead.com.

About PATH Foundation

In just 24 years, PATH has developed over 235 miles of trail throughout Georgia and has become a nationally recognized model for trail-building success. PATH’s linear parks have become part of the landscape in urban and rural areas, in affluent and impoverished communities. PATH trails are bringing people together from all races, ages, income levels and cultural backgrounds.  Significant progress toward building Atlanta a network of trails includes: The Silver Comet, Stone Mountain, Lionel Hampton, Westside, Arabia Mountain, Chastain Park, South Decatur Trolley, Northwest Atlanta, and Freedom Park Trails.