Photograph courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy
On April 24, more than 500 supporters of the Piedmont Park Conservancy gathered under a massive tent at the Promenade for the 28th annual Landmark Luncheon. The derby-themed garden party, aptly titled “The Big Reveal,” unveiled the park’s first long-term comprehensive plan in 25 years.
The design, helmed by landscape architect Thomas Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, took ten months to create and was a collaboration between Atlanta residents, Piedmont Park board members, city officials, and other stakeholders.
“Since 1895 with the Cotton States and International Exposition, this piece of land has told the world who Atlanta is . . . and what Atlantans value,” says Woltz. The park’s plan will be implemented over a 10-to-15-year period with several key areas and phases. Doug Widener, president and CEO of Piedmont Park Conservancy, says, “It wouldn’t make sense for us to plan for the expansion without thinking about the entire park because it all fits together. Our city’s population has grown a lot since 25 years ago, and it’s projected to grow more. We want to have a plan for the park for the future.”
Photograph courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy
Overall, the park will add more than six miles of new pedestrian paths, upgraded infrastructure, sidewalks and trails for walkers and joggers, dedicated lanes for bikers and scooters, enhanced entrances, seating, restrooms and water fountains, and improved maintenance practices.
A northeast expansion at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive will present a new entry plaza, playgrounds, concessions and restrooms along with overlook terrace accesses and connections to current and expanded trails. The “Active Oval” will become the central zone of sports and recreational activities. Here, new pickleball, volleyball and basketball courts will be constructed as well as two ballfields, two soccer fields, a challenger field, and play and picnic areas. “It’s a world-class plan design for a world-class park,” says board chair Virginia Means.
Photograph courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy
Improved biodiversity and sustainability will also be a core goal of the project. Those initiatives include an ecological restoration and 10-foot sediment excavation for Lake Clara Meer, the park’s central water feature. “That gets it deeper, colder water, cleaner water, and the ability to clean itself,” says Woltz. The area surrounding the lake will be redesigned with plants that control sediment and enhance habitat, as well as a complete boardwalk loop. Clear Creek will gain new access points into the creek bed and receive a tree canopy trail to alleviate Atlanta Beltline crowds. “We see Piedmont Park as a living classroom where we’re exposing the public to the importance of parks and green spaces,” says Widener.
Now that the vision has been revealed, the fundraising work begins. During the luncheon, the Seeds for the Future campaign was introduced and more than $70 thousand was raised. The multi-year initiative will preserve and enhance care for Piedmont Park’s trees, including an inventory and health assessment of over 3,000 mature trees, planting hundreds of new trees, creating an educational app, and establishing a community-driven volunteer program.
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