Community Corner

Parkwood Farms Faces Imminent Eviction

Owner Marilyn Peterson pleads for assistance.

Parkwood Farms, a therapeutic riding center in Snellville for children with disabilities, is facing eviction.

Owner Marilyn Peterson has issued a plea for support and a call to action to help save the riding center. The Sheriff's department arrived on Wednesday with an eviction notice, even though she said they did not receive a warning beforehand.

Now, they are scrambling to board the horses and pack their belongings. 

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Without the farm, she and her family have no income.

One of her sons is fully disabled, while another never leaves the house due to Asperger's. It was their disabilities that inspired Peterson to begin the therapeutic farm to begin with, eleven years ago.

Find out what's happening in Gwinnettwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While the eviction blindsided her, she has been fighting the banks for over two years now. Her case is actually in litigation right now in federal court.

Peterson said that she received a predatory loan in 2004. When she refinanced it in 2011, she was told that the terms would be good for "the life of the loan."

"What they didn't tell me was that the 'life of the loan' was only two years," she said. 

According to Peterson, the people handling her foreclosure say that "so many things are wrong with this that they are doing it pro bono." The contract, the way the proceedings were handled, and even the way she was given the loan are under federal investigation.

Her loan company -- Everhome Mortgage, based out of Jacksonville, Florida -- went through the magistrate to bypass the federal investigation, according to Peterson. 

So as of last night at 6:30 p.m., no more classes will be held at the Farm. 

They're praying for a miracle. 

(Editor's note: Snellville Patch will continue to follow this story and bring you as much information as possible.)

For further reading about Parkwood Farms and Marilyn Peterson, read these stories:

  • Greatest Person of the Day: Marilyn Peterson
  • Gwinnett Special Olympics Riders Bring Home the Gold
  • Equestrian Team Gears Up for the Olympics


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