Forest Fashion Show Held at Constitution Lakes Park for National Public Lands Day

At Constitution Lakes Park, the Forest Fashion Show and Festival transformed the park's trails into an outdoor runway. Attendees were invited to showcase their sustainable clothing. The event, part of Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week organized by Sew Conscious, emphasized the importance of environmental awareness through reuse, repair, and upcycling. Various activity stations and community partner booths were also featured at the festival.

The festival coincided with Constitution Lakes' recognition as a site on the Georgia Birding Trail, marking a significant legacy project for Birds Georgia’s 2026 centennial. The park itself is situated on land that previously housed the South River Brick Company from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. After mining clay, the pits eventually filled with rainwater, creating the lakes seen today. DeKalb County acquired the land in 2003 to preserve its wetland habitat, which supports diverse wildlife and plant life.

The park's Doll's Head Trail, a folk-art path created by Joel Slaton, allows visitors to explore overgrown industrial ruins. Slaton found a variety of discarded items on the property and artistically arranged them into significant displays along the trail. Visitors are encouraged to create art with found objects, though outside items are prohibited.

Constitution Lakes Park features approximately 1.5 to 2 miles of paved paths, dirt trails, and boardwalks. Located at 1305 South River Industrial Blvd. SE, the park is generally open from 7 a.m. to sunset, though operating hours can vary.

During the festival, Linda May from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources presented bat crafts, while Tanjuria Willis, founder of Sew Conscious, highlighted a vest made from game-day lanyards. Additionally, Kimi Takikawa from Conservation Crafting led a bookmark-making activity.

Marsha Weinstein painted the face of volunteer Jasmine Fuller, who received the Volunteer of the Year award from DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs at the event. Other attendees posed in creative outfits made from upcycled materials, showcasing their individual styles and commitment to sustainability.