What do a new disc golf course, pickleball courts, a big repaired treehouse, and tennis courts remade into a skatepark have in common?
They’re all listed as upgrades and improvements bound for parks across Atlanta soon as part of a record-high allotment of grant monies.
Park Pride officials announced this week the largest investment in the nonprofit organization’s 35-year history—$3.9 million—will go toward improving aspects of 37 different parks throughout the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County this year.
That includes upgrades to natural ITP treasures such as Cascade Springs Nature Preserve (where overlooks will be added near the lovely falls), neighborhood greenspaces such as Perkerson Park in Sylvan Hills (a new playground), and regional attractions such as PATH400 in Buckhead (addition of fitness equipment at Old Ivy Park).
A new playground is bound for Reynoldstown’s Lang Carson Park, according to Park Pride officials. Park Pride
Park Pride officials say the “landmark year” is being funded through a combination of private and public sources, made possible by the organization’s Parks for All campaign and Atlanta city councilmembers.
Roughly 50 percent of the funds will be directed to park upgrades in historically disinvested communities, officials said.
The organization has managed to more than double its awards in recent years, thanks to increased campaign funding and more commitments from the city council.
Park Pride’s Grantmaking Program was established two decades ago with support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and The Home Depot Foundation, with the City of Atlanta coming on board more recently.
The program “awards funding to community groups seeking to revitalize their neighborhood greenspaces,” Michael Halicki, Park Pride executive director, said in this week’s announcement. “We’re proud to support residents in their efforts to improve and activate their local parks.”
Park…
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