Phone call leads to Duck Pond being transformed into Athens’ own North Pole Stroll

Oh, the idea from Lowe’s sounded delightful;

And so many volunteers were being insightful;

So a new holiday event we are about to unroll –

North Pole Stroll.

ATHENS-It started with a phone call, the idea for North Pole Stroll. Lowe’s Athens store contacted the Mayor’s Office about donating live Christmas trees to the city for a public display.

“Lowe’s is always gracious to offer volunteers or products throughout the year to give back to the city,” said City Communications Specialist Holly Hollman. “When Lowe’s called about donating Christmas trees, I contacted several of our agencies that work to enhance Athens through events and programs, and the North Pole Stroll was born.”

The City of Athens and its partners – Lowe’s, Athens-Limestone Tourism, Spirit of Athens, Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and Limestone County Archives – will kick off this new holiday event in December.

Holly Hollman

Athens Parks and Recreation workers are installing 15 live trees at the Duck Pond behind the Tourism office in downtown Athens. Businesses and non-profit groups will start decorating the trees the week of Nov. 30. As of Tuesday, Nov. 24, sponsorships for four trees were available. The cost is $100.

Businesses can decorate their trees or offer the trees to a non-profit for decoration. There are three non-profit groups seeking a business sponsor: Girl Scout Troop 1922, Clements High School and Team Victory 4 All. If a business is interested in sponsoring one of these groups, call 256-278-6436.

Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Executive Coordinator Lynne Hart said she is proud the event will be environmentally friendly. Those who decorate will have to use solar lights, and the committee is purchasing solar lights to sell to groups that do not have time to order them. After the stroll ends in January, the city will turn the trees into mulch. The KALB board members are putting their recycling skills to use by making at least one snowman and maybe more out of recycled tires to add to the North Pole stroll décor.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m., the public can come to the Duck Pond for the North Pole Stroll kickoff. KALB will sell hot chocolate that night. The Athens Arts League is sponsoring a giant postcard that will be painted by artist Ashley Bates, operator of Ashley Bates Art, which is located in High Cotton Arts. The postcard will be part of the stroll and will feature ducks and a holiday theme.

“It will be a selfie station where individuals and families can make fun holiday photos,” said Spirit of Athens Executive Director Trisha Black.

Trisha Black

The North Pole Stroll will be open for viewing from Dec. 5 through Jan. 1. Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Director Teresa Todd said she is impressed with the number of organizations that have come together to turn Lowe’s donation into a free holiday project for the community.

“I am pleased at how our community has the ability to have a cohesive group to unify and begin a new quality of life tradition,” Todd said.

For more information about sponsoring a tree, sponsoring the stroll or for more information about the event, go online at www.athensnorthpolestroll.com. The website also includes information about decoration requirements.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 24, the tree sponsors were: