A serene area of woodland in Sandy Springs, Georgia, has become a lasting source of enjoyment for the community through the efforts of one woman who sought to preserve her lifetime home. Margaret Peggy Miles was born and raised at the 24-acre family farm where mature trees and natural habitats remained untouched. Rather than allow the land to lose its character to development, she worked with conservation groups to protect it for future generations. The concept developed by Miles eventually evolved into Lost Corner Preserve, a community green space combining natural habitats with a glimpse into local history. Miles passed away in 2008, and the final two acres of her property became the possession of the city in 2012, illustrating how private landowners, local organizations, and public agencies can collaborate to protect open space in growing communities.
The Miles family originally purchased the land in the early 20th century, and Peggy Miles spent her entire life there. Her father gave the isolated piece of land the name Lost Corner because visitors frequently found it difficult to navigate. However, for Miles, the forest was intimately familiar as she understood its vegetation and wildlife deeply. The land possessed a history stretching far beyond the Miles family, showing signs of prior human settlement and farming long before modern Sandy Springs took shape.
Given ongoing development pressures in Sandy Springs, conserving the forest became a paramount concern. Miles wanted the land to remain untouched and accessible to the public rather than losing its identity. She contacted the Sandy Springs Conservancy, which then partnered with the Trust for Public Land to organize the conservation arrangement and acquisition while ensuring Miles retained lifetime access to her property.
The preservation process relied on close cooperation between Miles, conservation organizations, and local government. The Trust for Public Land assisted with the acquisition, while the Sandy Springs Conservancy coordinated the necessary partners and funding. Consequently, 22 acres of the land were designated as Lost Corner Preserve in 2008. After Miles passed away later that year, the Trust for Public Land acquired the remaining two acres from her estate, and the Sandy Springs City Council approved the final addition in August 2012 to complete the 24-acre tract for public use.
Today, Lost Corner Preserve operates as a city-owned park located at 7300 Brandon Mill Road in Sandy Springs. The 24-acre site features forest trails, community gardens, a greenhouse, bee yards, and a renovated building used for community activities. Friends of Lost Corner, an all-volunteer nonprofit, currently supports stewardship, educational programs, and community engagement in partnership with the city. The preserve officially opened to the public on March 17, 2016, securing Peggy Miles' legacy in the landscape and ensuring that residents can continue enjoying the outdoors and local history for generations to come.