Piedmont Park
For the first time in history, the majority of our planet lives in cities. As our urban centers have grown, we’ve come to realize that our parks, plazas and squares are not our cities’ luxuries, but communal necessities.
Atlanta’s largest green space, Piedmont Park, is in the midst of an expansion and upgrade that will add 53 acres. Though today it’s one of the treasures of Atlanta, it’s hard to believe that in 1887 it was considered too far from the city for the local government to buy it.
Instead, Benjamin Walker sold 189 acres of his farm land to the Gentlemen’s Driving Club (now the Piedmont Driving Club) to create a private club and horse racing grounds. Soon after the purchase, the Driving Club allowed The Piedmont Exposition Company to use the land for fairs and expositions, naming the space Piedmont Park.
The Piedmont Exposition was a regional success which led to other events, including a World’s Fair in 1895. In 1904 the City of Atlanta bought the land and contracted a redesign plan from the respected Olmsted brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect for Central Park in New York.
The park became a main gathering place for the city and its outdoor activities. A few college rivalries have their origins in the park, including the first time Georgia and Auburn played each other in football in 1892 and the opening game of Georgia Tech and Georgia baseball in 1898. Also, the city’s first professional baseball team, the Atlanta Crackers, played in the park from 1902 to 1904.
Today the park is protected by a public-private partnership led by the Piedmont Park Conservancy which has raised $23 million for the first phase of the restoration plan. While many people haven take advantage of the expansive lawns, it’s easy to overlook the dog park, bocce courts, stocked lake for fishing, grilling areas, soccer fields, playgrounds and a new swimming pool. This summer get out and explore more of the park – and be thankful it’s not a parking lot.
