This spring, upgrades abound at Atlanta’s oldest city park

As Atlanta embraces the season of new growth, big changes are taking root at the city’s oldest public park.

Grant Park, the greenspace, debuted a large new Kaboom! playground last fall, and the eternally empty Grant Park Gateway building is showing signs of finally being occupied, guided by input from hundreds of neighbors. But those aren’t the only changes afoot.

Near entries on opposite sides of the park (east and west), the Grant Park Conservancy is leading expansion and upgrade efforts that aim to boost greenspace usability and engagement in unique ways. “We have a lot going on in the park!” Michelle Blackmon, Grant Park Conservancy executive director, wrote via email.

Here’s a rundown, beginning with the most recent project to break ground:

Revival of Milledge Fountain section

In late March, the Grant Park Conservancy broke ground on what’s called the Milledge Fountain Outdoor Classroom and Theatre—an effort to transform and enliven a section of the 131-acre greenspace that officials say has long been overlooked.

Situated along Cherokee Avenue at the park’s western rim, the 1927 Milledge Fountain is considered a neighborhood landmark and gateway. The fountain component underwent a restoration in 2017, but tucked behind it is a space that’s long grappled with overgrowth, flooding, and erosion, according to Conservancy officials.

The backside of the 1927 Milledge Fountain along Grant Park’s Cherokee Avenue, shown prior to renovation work. Courtesy of Grant Park Conservancy

The nearly $1-million renovation project calls for restoring and stabilizing the fountain’s stone walls as a first step. Following that, the adjacent site will be remade into an outdoor classroom and performance space, with a stage built from a former reflecting pool. Plans also call for new ADA-friendly pathways, rain gardens and permeable surfaces, and native landscaping.

The goal is to create a flexible gathering space and learning environment to host performances, community events, workshops, and school programming, per the Conservancy, which led fundraising efforts.

Planned look and functionality of the forthcoming Milledge Fountain Outdoor Classroom and Theatre. Courtesy of Grant Park Conservancy

Blackmon tells Urbanize Atlanta the goal is to open the upgraded Milledge Fountain section this fall, possibly in October, pending construction delays.

The project is considered a partnership with the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Funding was sourced from Park Pride, Moving Atlanta Forward bond funds, and numerous donors and grant partners, per officials.

Boulevard Green—and new market

On the flipside of the park, along Boulevard, another greenspace enhancement is underway, with expectations of opening in coming days.

Situated just south of the Grant Park Gateway, the new Boulevard Green project is wrapping up construction this week to host its inaugural event, Market in the Park, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Overview of the park’s new Boulevard Green section, just south of the still-vacant Grant Park Gateway building. Google Maps

The first installment of the free monthly market gathering is being timed to honor Earth Day. (Other installments of the series are planned May 17 and June 14, also from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

The Boulevard Green project aims to make another main park entrance more inviting and conducive to small-scale events, such as movie nights, markets, foodie experiences, kids’ activities, and picnics, per the Conservancy.

A new pathway is being installed, alongside stormwater drainage improvements and care such as structural pruning for the area’s prized trees.

Recent construction progress at the Boulevard Green project. Courtesy of Grant Park Conservancy

Participants at the first Market in the Park will include restaurants Sweet Auburn Barbecue and Tio Lucho’s Hermanita, Zoo Atlanta (educational programming for families), The Little Gym of Grant Park (free gymnastics activities for kids), and CHARM (demonstrations from the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials), among others.

“Through our community survey and ongoing conversations with neighbors, we heard a clear desire for more opportunities to gather in the park and support local vendors,” said Blackmon in a recent release. “Market in the Park is our way of bringing that idea to life.”

Section of Grant Park where the Boulevard Green component is scheduled to open this weekend. Courtesy of Grant Park Conservancy