Hurt Park, located at the heart of Georgia State’s campus, is not just a green space but a symbol of the university’s rich history and unwavering commitment to creating a vibrant campus environment. As a part of Georgia State’s Campus, it has a long history dating back to the 1940s when it was first established. Since then, it has served as a gathering place for generations of students, faculty and staff attending Georgia State.

When it opened in 1940, it was the city’s first downtown park since 1860 and remained one of Atlanta’s main attractions throughout the 40s and 50s, playing a prominent role in the area’s development into a thriving city center. “The Fountain of Light” was a notable feature of Hurt Park that showcased an electric water display with a stunning array of lights and waterspouts.

The park was created as part of a larger effort to beautify the city and create more green space for its residents. A. Ten Eyck Brown, an architect from Atlanta, also created the Candler Building and Rhodes Memorial Hall at Emory University, two other notable structures in the city. The park features a large fountain, walking paths and a variety of trees and plants, providing a peaceful oasis amid downtown Atlanta’s busy streets.

Joel Hurt was an influential figure in Atlanta’s development, responsible for the construction of many of the city’s prominent buildings and infrastructure, such as the Hurt Building, the Terminal Station and the first streetcar suburb, Inman Park. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Atlanta City Planning Commission, which helped shape the city’s growth and development in the early 20th century.

Over the years, Hurt Park has been used for various purposes, including as a site for student protests and rallies in the early days of the university. However, as the years passed, it also faced safety and homelessness challenges, leading to recent efforts to revitalize and improve the park. The City of…