Because the health and well-being of the students at Walton High School was a priority for Hugh McLeod, Leslie and Lauren McLeod decided to create a Legacy Garden for him at Walton. This was a very generous gift to our campus. The original garden was placed in a wooded area beside the old softball fields on the Walton campus.  The garden offered students, staff and community members a quiet place to reflect and enjoy nature’s beauty on Walton’s grounds.  It was dedicated in the fall of 2012 and was a peaceful respite for our community with a waterscape, Japanese maple trees, indigenous plants, benches and sculptures.

When the construction of the new Walton school building was planned, Walton’s administration worked with Cobb County SPLOST leaders to ensure that the elements of the garden would be preserved during construction and relocated to a new location on our current campus.  The new Hugh McLeod Garden is housed adjacent to the Dining Hall outdoor seating.  It is used by students and staff daily.  The white pergola, graceful Japanese maples, flowers and benches provide a beautiful spot for our students to enjoy on a daily basis.  

The Walton High School Foundation currently supports the maintenance of the Hugh McLeod Garden with mulch, the planting of annual flowers and general upkeep.