Discover Piedmont Park in Atlanta
Spanning 189 acres, Piedmont Park, with its lawns, walking trails, athletic fields, and Lake Clara Meer, is beloved by local Atlantans and tourists. Annual events such as the Dogwood Festival, Atlanta Jazz Fest, and the Peachtree Road Race—the globe's largest 10K—further cement its status as a cultural hotspot.
The park's historical significance includes hosting the Cotton States Exposition and witnessing the international debut of motion pictures. Drawing over 2.5 million visitors annually, Piedmont Park's foot traffic rivals that of major venues across the nation.
Piedmont Park History
Origins of the Land
Originally, the park’s land consisted of a dense forest purchased by Samuel and Sarah Walker in 1834. The Walkers transformed this woodland into a farm, which their son Benjamin Walker eventually expanded. In 1887, Walker sold the farmland to the Gentlemen's Driving Club. This club, consisting of horse enthusiasts, sought to create a racing ground, but the land soon took on a new role as a venue for grand expositions.
Hosting its First Expositions
The same year as the land was sold, Piedmont Park hosted its first major event, the Piedmont Exposition, which showcased the South's industrial and agricultural excellence. This event set the stage for an even larger spectacle, the Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895. Spanning 100 days, this World's Fair attracted nearly 800,000 visitors and featured 6,000 exhibits, highlighting the region's post-Civil War recovery and fostering international trade relations. Today, remnants of these expositions, such as the stone balustrades and Lake Clara Meer, can still be found within the park.
The park also played a part in Georgia’s sporting history, hosting the inaugural college football game between the University of Georgia and Auburn University—the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry"—in 1892. From 1901, the city's first professional baseball team, the Atlanta Crackers, began using the fields of the Piedmont Park to train on.
The Transformation into an Urban Park
Piedmont Park’s transition into a public space began in the early 20th century. In 1904, after several failed attempts, the City of Atlanta finally purchased the park, incorporating it into the city's expanding urban landscape.
The park's redesign was heavily influenced by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of the Central Park architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Their 1912 plan introduced scenic pathways and integrated the park with the surrounding neighborhoods, laying the groundwork for what would become one of Atlanta's most cherished green spaces.
The Piedmont Park Conservancy
In recent decades, the continued growth and development of Piedmont Park have been supported by the Piedmont Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization founded in 1989. Through using a dedicated team of landscape professionals, maintenance workers, and off-duty police officers, this public-private partnership has kept the park safe, clean, and accessible to everyone.
The Conservancy has also been instrumental in raising funds for the park's restoration and maintenance. As a result there have been many significant improvements to the park and its facilities, including a recent $25 million restoration to expand the park’s green areas, restore historical landmarks, and introduce educational programs.
This restoration has not only improved the park but has also improved Midtown Atlanta, especially areas like Oak Hill, Morningside, Ansley Park, and Virginia-Highland, making it a desired place for living, working, and recreation. The Midtown vicinity, once overlooked, has now been brought to life with new homes, restaurants and bars, and shops. It is a direct result of Piedmont Park's rejuvenation..
Features of Piedmont Park
Throughout the 20th century, Piedmont Park evolved with the city and new amenities, such as tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas were added in line with its growing needs.
Today, attracting visitors from over 100 zip codes, Piedmont Park is the embodiment of Atlanta's multicultural spirit. Wheelchair-accessible paths mean that everyone can partake in its beauty and there are lots of amenities to enjoy like a community garden, water fountains, and lots of picnic areas. The park is also home to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a short walk from the park's northern edge.
Playgrounds for Families
Playgrounds, including the artistic Noguchi Playscape, are perfect for families with young children. Historic buildings, transformed into rental venues, host weddings and special events.
Visitor Center
Meanwhile, overlooking the new dock on Lake Clara Meer, with its amphitheater-like setting, the refurbished Visitors Center, decorated with Ralph Gilbert's mural "A Day at the Park," invites exploration and relaxation. The new dock has unique features like a granite bridge, fishing piers, and lakeside swings to enhance the experience.
Dog Parks
There are two large fenced-in, off leash Dog Parks, covering three acres, with separate enclosures for large and small dogs, ensuring a safe and playful environment. These parks are managed by the Piedmont Park Conservancy who thoughtfully provide plastic bag stations and water fountains with ground-level basins for pets.
Things to do at the Park
Guided Tours
These tours, led by passionate docents and volunteers, provide deeper insights into the park's history and evolution from forest to fairground to recreational heaven.
Fishing at Lake Clara Meer
Stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and catfish, the lake is a great spot to cast out a line.
Sporting Activities
The park's Active Oval is the home of Atlanta’s sporting world. Once a race track, it now has a running track, soccer fields, softball fields, and sand volleyball courts. In 2016 alone, over 68,000 players reserved its fields.
Events at the Park
In line with its history, and role as Atlanta’s central gathering place, some of the city’s most significant annual events continue to be held at Piedmont Park, including the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Gay Pride, the AIDS Walk, and Screen on the Green.
Visiting Piedmont Park
How to Get There
Located at 1320 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30309, Piedmont Park is easily accessible via public transit, with the Midtown and Arts Center MARTA stations nearby. For those driving, a central parking garage offers convenience, with entrances from Monroe Drive and Piedmont Avenue.
Tips for Visiting
- Before Heading Out: Check the park's event calendar, as weekends often brim with activities, from farmers' markets to trivia nights.
- Once Inside: Pick up a park map to navigate the attractions.
- Dogs in the Park: With the exception of select festival weekends, dogs on leashes are welcome at the park.
Explore Beyond Piedmont Park in Atlanta with CityDays
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