Blank's foundation to help preserve green space

ATLANTA - The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is donating $6.5 million in grants to preserve 430 acres for open green space, recreation and education in metro Atlanta. <br> <br> Foundation officials said Monday that Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, hopes the grants to eleven Atlanta nonprofit organizations will also help develop and improve parks. <br> <br> The co-director of The Arthur Blank Family Foundation, Elise Eplan, said ``The clock is ticking on Atlanta&#39;s ability to preserve green space and parks. Livable communities and a world-class city depend on open space for public use.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The grants represent the first round of green-space projects funded by the foundation&#39;s three-year environmental initiative to improve the quality of life in metro Atlanta. <br> <br> The foundation plans to grant between $20-$30 million to preserve green space through 2004.