Atlanta has a good park system.  According to the Trust for Public Land’s 2023 ParkScore index (the most comprehensive annual rating of the 100 largest U.S. cities’ park systems), Atlanta is no. 28 – up from no. 51 in 2016, but plateaued from no. 27 in 2022.

But are we satisfied with a good park system?  Or do we expect it to be great?

This matters not only for our collective mental and physical health but also for our economic success.  The National Recreation and Parks Association’s 2023 Engagement with Parks Report found 84% of U.S. adults seek nearby high-quality parks and recreation when choosing a place to live. The quality of Atlanta’s park system will be a critical factor as we continue to compete with other cities for talent and economic growth.

The Atlanta BeltLine has proven that people and businesses want to locate near quality greenspace. Quality of life improves when we go outside and connect with better health, with our neighbors, and with our vibrant communities.  However, the Atlanta BeltLine planning area covers only 20% of the city, and the strategies that have made the BeltLine successful need to be applied more broadly to serve all Atlantans.

How do we make our park system great?  According to renowned business author Jim Collins, “Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline,” so let’s start by addressing the two areas where we rank most poorly: acreage (72nd out of 100) and equity (65th out of 100).

Acreage

Currently, only 6.5% of the City of Atlanta’s area is dedicated to parkland, compared to a median of 10% for the 100 largest cities.

Historically, the lack of funding to maintain parks has discouraged investment in new greenspace. Under the leadership of Mayor Dickens and Atlanta City Council, that has changed, with a historic increase in the parks budget, including an additional $750,000 per year to maintain the Atlanta BeltLine trail…