Community Joins to Save Parkwood Farms

Community members are standing behind Parkwood Farms, a therapeutic riding center for children with disabilities, is it facing eviction from its Snellville location.

Citizens and public officials, including Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz and State Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick, are reaching out to show concern and offer advice. 

Patch first learned of the nonprofit's plight Friday, when owner Dr. Marliyn Peterson issued a public plea for support and a call to action to save the riding center.

The center, which sits on property along with Peterson's home, are being foreclosed on. Law enforcement arrived at her home Wednesday (Nov. 7) with eviction papers.

After dozens of phone calls and emails, the following action plans have been put into place by concerned citizens. 

First, on Monday, Nov. 12, a press conference will be held at the Parkwood Farms Thearpy Center. This is also a time for people to stop by and show their support. 

Second, a petition is circulating the Internet with the intention of stopping the foreclosure and eviction affecting the therapy center and Dr. Peterson's home. You can sign it and find out more here. Once it has enough signatures, it will be brought to the attention of the bank issuing the foreclosure.

As of 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, more than 1,000 people had signed the petition. 

You can also donate to Parkwood Farms through PayPal. (The link to their PayPal account is on the right side of their website.)

For more on Dr. Peterson and Parkwood Farms, see these stories:

• Greatest Person of the Day: Marilyn Peterson
• Gwinnett Special Olympics Riders Bring Home the Gold
• Equestrian Team Gears Up for the Olympics