The Thought Leaders Dinner-A Springway to the Future was a great evening of community fellowship! About 135 greenspace leaders, local officials and fellow parks and trails supporters came together for a fun and informative evening under the stars at Morgan Falls Overlook Park on September 17, 2025. Live music by local country/bluegrass band Lonesome Redwing and dinner from QN2 BBQ was enjoyed by all.
SSC Chair Jack Misiura, Mayor Rusty Paul made remarks about the Springway trail plan, an ambitious plan of 31-miles of trails that connect Sandy Springs within and with neighboring communities. Then, guest speaker Ann Hanlon, Executive Director of Perimeter CID, spoke about the value that trails bring to communities. Hanlon spoke about how trail access is increasingly shaping the future of cities, communities and commercial real estate investments. Read more about the evening and the keynote speech here.
Congratulations to our door prize winners and to The Sandy Springs Society who was named our Greenspace Champion for 2025 for their long-time support of parks in Sandy Springs!
View Event Photos: Photo Gallery 1 Photo Gallery 2
Every year the Sandy Springs Conservancy selects a person or organization to honor as the year’s Greenspace Champion. The selection is announced at SSC’s annual Thought Leaders Dinner in the fall. Honorees are selected for efforts to support parks, trails or greenspace in our community.
The Sandy Springs Conservancy’s annual Thought Leaders Dinner is the organization’s signature event and serves as a catalyst for inspiring and cultivating big-picture, greenspace initiatives. The event brings together parks and greenspace experts from throughout the region with community leaders, city decision makers, prominent businesses, influencers, sponsors and donors.
