Crystal Leach

City event includes a parade, games, and giveaways

The Gwinnett Bike Fest is back, bigger, better and longer. From July 22nd through July 26th, cyclists will have the opportunity to compete in six races. From the world renowned race track, Road Atlanta, to historic downtown Norcross, the 2009 Gwinnett Bike Fest will be one of, if not the biggest race in the Southeast. Two charities will benefit from this year's Bike Fest event: the American Cancer Society and the Foster Children's Foundation. This year's Gwinnett Bike Fest is a part of the newly formed Georgia Cycling Gran Prix, Georgia's new cycling points series with 12 events over 25 weekends produced by four different promoters.

For race listings and other information, please go to www.GeorgiaCycling.net.

On Saturday the 25th, Downtown Norcross will be packed with cyclist of all ages, with criterium races starting at 2:00 p.m. and lasting throughout the evening. But don't wait until 2:00 pm. The day gets started with a parade at 9:15 a.m. and will include a full day of family fun, with rides, including the always popular, Tiara's in Twilight, Radio Disney. Mickey will be here, along with a bike stunt show and all of your favorite government officials will be riding as well. For a complete schedule of events, call Rip Robertson at 678-421-2025.

The perfect setting to live, work, and play.

Quality residential environment, steady business growth, and numerous leisure offerings have contributed to the success of Norcross. Now the City has a place that combines all of those attributes - the spectacular Lillian Webb Park, which had it's debut during Norcross' 3rd of July celebration. Built on the site of a former baseball field, the park features cascading fountains, walking trails, landscaping, seating, areas, and a dramatic gated entry. Future plans call for condominiums and retail establishments along the park's perimeter.

Norcross has made a tradition of providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation and has become famous for special events created or hosted by the City - from free summer concerts in Thrasher Park to many downtown festivals. They include :Independence Day Celebration, Norcross Arts Festival, Tour of Homes, "First Thursdays" showcase of downtown merchants, Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Carriage Rides, and many more. The Cultural Arts and Community Center produces numerous programs to delight citizens of all ages. There is theatrical entertainment from the Lionheart Theatre Company, summer day camps, senior citizen programming, as well as classes on various subjects. The City also makes the building available for rent to host family reunions, monthly meetings, youth groups, weddings, receptions and corporate events.

When it comes to work, there's plenty going on in the City of Norcross throught the more than 1400 business licensed to operate. The Economic Development Manager interacts with new and existing businesses, developers and home owners, planning for future development.

Through collecting of statistical and demographic data, long-rage planning, and promoting the City and outlying areas, Norcross will continue to be a thriving, sustainable community. the City enables both the creation and expansion of business opportunities and residences.

Improving Parks and Preserving Trees

Norcross maintains several parks including Rossie Brundage Park, Thrasher Park, South Point Park, Barton Street Greenspace, and Ficling Property Greenspace. The City conducts ongoing maintenance activities at all parks and will make major improvements to several of them this year. Renovations planned for Thrasher Park Include adding restrooms, expanding the playground, enhancing landscaping, replacing sidewalks, and adding a new children's pavilion with tables and benches. In Betty Mauldin Park, adjacent to City Hall, there will be new masonry work around the historic bell, new sod, and enhanced landscaping. The shaded park in front of the Community Center will be transformed into a romantic wedding garden complete with decorative stone inlay, new concrete steps, and improvements to the handicapped access path.

One enduring feature that all of our City parks have in common is the canopy of trees that adorns each. One of these trees, the massive "American Elm" in Betty MauldinPark, is a celebrity of sorts. The towering arborous landmark, which stands 79 feet with a spread of 105 feet, is the second tallest of its kind in Georgia, and is more than 100 years old. The tree is rare for another reason - most of its species died out decades ago from a disease. Because of the tree's distinctive status, it was adopted by Downey Trees, a local tree company, which provides care and maintenance services at no expense to the City in order to help the beautiful elm continue to thrive.

Our elm tree has become more notable since it was featured on the cover of Norcross' Historic Tree Walk booklet. This publication is the culmination of a 2008 inventory of every tree in the City of Norcross. Consultants performed a study that found 1,123 trees in the city limits and scores of different species. They produced the illustrated booklet, which includes facts on trees in various areas of downtown Norcross. City leaders hope to engage people in taking walking tree tours throughout various parks and downtown areas.

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The City of Norcross is Gwinnett County's second oldest city. It was founded by J. J. Thrasher and named for his good friend Jonathan Norcross, a former Mayor of Atlanta. Norcross was incorporated on October 26, 1870. The Mayor and City Council have sought to preserve the city's charm. The City maintains a quiet, pisturesque downtown district while along its fringes are corporations doing millions of dollars of business on a daily basis.

Known in its early days as "Atlanta's Favorite Summer Resort," we invite you to visit Norcross today and discover for yourself the many exciting surprises in our 112-acre Historic District. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, you'll find picturesque rows of restored narrow brick buildings in our charming "downtown" illuminated by old-fashioned street lamps and lined with crepe myrtle, dogwoods and inviting benches...Visit one of Atlanta's few preserved Train Depots...Refresh yourself at one of our award winning restaurants.

All the classic styles of Southern architecture are showcased here for you to admire, from antebellum mansions to Victorian homes. Private citizens have adoringly preserved the many beautiful old residences boasting the famous broad porches which helped make Southern hospitality famous. Stately southern pines and magnificent old oak trees provide a cool, lacy canopy of shade for a relaxing walking tour of our Historic District.

Treasured by its citizens, Norcross has been restored and preserved for your enjoyment today. Come and visit us and don't be surprised when Norcross delights and inspires you, just as it did old-timer Edward Buchannan, inventor of the "Nor-X," the first automobile manufactured in the South!

Norcross' hometown charm, convenience to metropolitan Atlanta and award winning schools have led to the development of numerous new subdivisions for families. Our many churches of diverse denominations also sponsor functions and provide support for children and families. Several excellent state-of-the-art libraries, including the Norcross library, are located within easy access. People who live in our quiet picturesque city enjoy its small town charm without sacrificing all the conveniences of the big city: Atlanta is just a few exits down the road...or take a half our scenic drive to the southernmost reaches of the Appalachian mountains.

Whether it's old-style south you want or the modern features and traditional elegance of new homes, many diverse housing opportunities await you. Our growing new subdivisions invite you to explore their different styles and modern features. Come and visit us today and see for yourself how Norcross helps make Gwinnett County one of the fastest growing communities in the United States.