Zachary Earl Wansley April 24, 1987 – September 13, 2008

Once upon a time, there was a young family who moved to South Fulton County, Georgia, because of their love of nature.

After the Wansleys made their home near Cochran Mill Park in 1987, they volunteered to help build Cochran Mill Nature Center, a private, non-profit environmental education center.

The Wansleys devoted the next 20 years of their lives to volunteering and working to introduce thousands of visitors to nature and the parkland.

Their children, Zack and Nick, were raised around the daily activities of Cochran Mill Nature Center and the 800-acre Cochran Mill Park. Both became their extended backyard.

At age 4, Zack began volunteering at the Nature Center helping his parents care for resident animals.

As he grew, his volunteer roles included everything from teaching about snakes to doing trail work.

As President of the high school Environmental Club, Zack inspired others through leading tree plantings and anti-litter projects, as well as camping, hiking and canoeing adventures.

As a senior, Zack had earned the respect of his peers who voted him Student Body President and Most Respected Male at Chapel Hill High School. The faculty voted him the most “Well-Rounded” Senior.

Among other outdoor interests, Zack’s passion was distance running Among other outdoor interests, Zack’s passion was distance running. He ran in middle and high school and one year for Georgia Tech. When not competing, he enjoyed challenging himself in 5K and half marathon races.

His favorite place to train for those races was in Cochran Mill Park.

On September 13, 2008, Zack left this earth at age 21 in this park while training for the 2008 Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon.

Shortly before his death, the Friends of Chatt Hills Parks launched a campaign to raise more than $250,000 for the new City of Chattahoochee Hills to purchase its parklands from Fulton County.

Zack was excited about the opportunity to support his beloved park and was saving to purchase an acre of Cochran Mill Park.

When Zack’s friends learned of his death, they joined in the community’s effort on his behalf, contributing more than $33,000 toward the purchase of the parks.

Through Zack’s friends, and many others, the funds were raised for Chattahoochee Hills to purchase Cochran Mill Park, Hutcheson Ferry Park, Rico Park and the River Park.

On October 14, 2010, these parks officially were transferred to Chattahoochee Hills.

Zack will be remembered by his family, friends, and community for giving 100% effort to anything and everything he attempted.

Zack was known as a loyal friend,

…incredible big brother,

…and remarkable son.

He was the King of Optimism with “Good Times Good Times”, “Awesome” and “It’s All Good” being his catch phrases.

His family’s hope is that his positive, can-do attitude and his love of nature and outdoor adventure will live on in all who knew him or have learned about him.

The Wansley Family