Plan Overview

Families enjoying a greenway Photo Courtesy PATH

In December 2004, the City of Atlanta adopted the New Century Economic Development Plan. One of the Plan’s initiatives focused on parks and greenspace.

In the Fall of 2006, the City entered into a contractual agreement with Wallace Roberts & Todd to prepare the Project Greenspace Plan, as an update of the 1993 approved Park Open Space and Greenways Plan. The goal was to develop a master plan addressing the preservation, acquisition and management of open space in the City of Atlanta.

The initial development of the plan involved inventory, research, and analysis of existing conditions and policies of the City’s greenspace. Wallace, Roberts & Todd has completed an inventory, analysis and needs/maintenance assessment, resulting in a Draft Summary Plan. The completion of these tasks involved input from various stakeholders, including NPUs.

The Department of Planning and Community Development has identified the completion of the Project Greenspace Plan as a priority. In an effort to update the public, the Bureau of Planning will be hosting a series of community meetings to present the Draft Summary Plan and receive input. The format for the meetings will include an evening session followed by an "Open House" the next day. The Open House will be manned by Bureau of Planning staff and will offer an additional opportunity for citizens to ask detailed questions and make comments on the plan.

The meeting schedule is available on this web site. The Department of Planning and Community Development is excited about the Greenspace Plan and looks forward to receiving additional input from the residents of Atlanta. Please forward this information to your NPU members, Neighborhood Associations and any other interested persons. Questions concerning the Greenspace Plan process should be directed to Mary McCracken, Greenspace Coordinator at 404-865-8553 or at greenspace@atlantaga.gov.

Vision

Freedom Park Photo Courtesy Dee Merriam, City of Atlanta

Project Greenspace is envisioned as a long-term plan for growing and managing Atlanta's greenspace system. Working together we can create a vision and framework for a world-class system that connects people with great public spaces, nature preserves, parks, plazas, and streetscapes.

Today Atlanta has an opportunity like no other to create a legacy of great public spaces connected to communities through a robust greenspace system. Like the symbol of our great city, the phoenix, Atlanta is experiencing a rebirth. The City’s 2000 population is projected to double by 2030. Where once there were undeveloped lots and large yards, we now have residential towers with rooftop gardens. If we are to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we must plan for places to walk and play. We must leverage the City’s phenomenal economic growth to create a connected system of nature preserves, parks, plazas, and streetscapes. We must create regulatory incentives that preserve the urban tree canopy. We must act now to harness this energy to create a city of thriving and connected greenspaces that serve all our citizens.

Exciting projects like the trails and greenspace along Freedom Parkway, Centennial Park, and the Atlanta BeltLine will redefine Atlanta’s heart and soul. Additional parks will improve the quality of life for every resident. Atlanta can become a city of vibrant greenspaces. We can protect and celebrate our sensitive lands and waterways. We can make parks more accessible to everyone. We have an opportunity to further raise the standard of excellence and improve the quality of life for everyone. To continue this rebirth, Atlanta needs a vision and framework on which to build.