RESOURCE GUIDE MAKE ATLANTA YOUR OWN GYM
Rationale for “Make Atlanta Your Own Gym” Campaign
Atlanta is a city full of life— buzzing with culture, energy, and community spirit. But like many urban areas across the country, it faces a growing public health challenge: too many residents aren’t getting enough physical activity.
According to the CDC, only 23% of Americans meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. In Georgia, this reality is reflected in rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other preventable conditions. Today, more than a third of Georgia’s adults are obese, and 1 in 5 children are already on the same path.
Physical inactivity isn’t just a health issue, it’s an economic one. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that nearly billion is spent each year on healthcare costs related to inactivity. For Atlanta, a vibrant and diverse city that thrives on its people, this is a crisis that touches every neighborhood, every family, and every generation.
But what if we didn’t need a fancy gym or expensive equipment to turn things around? What if the solution was already here—in the sidewalks beneath our feet, the trails we pass on our morning commute, the parks tucked between city blocks?
That’s the idea behind “Make Atlanta Your Own Gym.” campaign invites every Atlantan to view their city as a place for movement, wellness, and community. Whether it’s yoga in Piedmont Park, biking along the Beltline, or simply walking to a MARTA station instead of driving—this initiative turns everyday spaces into opportunities for health.
A Campaign for Everyone
The strength of this campaign lies in its inclusivity. Atlanta is a patchwork of cultures, neighborhoods, and lived experiences. That’s why the campaign encourages residents to define fitness on their own terms. Some may enjoy traditional workouts; others may prefer dancing, walking their dog, or playing with
their kids in the park. There is no “right” way to be active—just the encouragement to start, to move, and to feel supported in the journey.
By highlighting local fitness heroes—trainers, community leaders, small gym owners, and influencers—the campaign reflects the spirit of Atlanta. It says: health belongs to all of us, no matter your zip code, background, or fitness level.
Community, Culture & Collaboration
At its heart, “Make Atlanta Your Own Gym” is about community. Research shows that people are more likely to stick to healthy habits when they feel supported—and this campaign is designed to foster that support through grassroots partnerships and accessible programming.
Atlanta Parks & Recreation, Atlanta
Beltline, Park Pride, Atlanta Public Schools, and local wellness organizations, the city can activate a powerful network of resources already embedded in the community. Free or low-cost fitness classes, walking clubs, youth sports leagues, and pop-up workout stations will help remove barriers and bring people together around a shared goal: moving more and feeling better.
From the Beltline’s scenic trails to the more than 350 offering open green spaces, Atlanta already has the physical infrastructure to support this movement. Now it’s about sparking awareness and participation.
Real Strategies That Meet People Where They Are
To make this vision a reality, the campaign will use a multilayered approach:
• Public Awareness: Billboards, social media, and public service announcements will spread the word that fitness is free, flexible, and for everyone.
Citywide Fitness Challenges: Residents will be invited to track their activity and join friendly competitions— offering recognition, rewards, and a sense of
like transit hubs or near downtown, these portable exercise setups give people the chance to stretch, move, or work out for 5–10 minutes during their day.
• Community Events: Seasonal fitness fairs, outdoor classes, and neighborhood fitness days will strengthen community ties and encourage lasting lifestyle changes.
The Big Picture: A Healthier, More Connected Atlanta
When people move more, communities thrive. Regular physical activity is linked to lower stress, better sleep, improved mental health, and even lower crime rates. It strengthens not just bodies, but neighborhoods. And when residents feel good in their own skin, they show up more—for their families, their jobs, and their city.
“Make Atlanta Your Own Gym” is about reclaiming wellness in our own backyards. It's about showing Atlantans that they don’t have to go far—or spend a dime—to start living healthier lives. With strong partnerships, inclusive messaging, and real opportunities to get moving, this campaign can transform the city into a living, breathing fitness hub.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress—one walk, one workout, one community at a time.
Pop-Up Fitness Stations: Located
Parks & Recreation District Map
OUTDOOR COURTS FIELDS
BASEBALL FIELDS
RECREATION CENTERS
Adams Park
Anthony Flanagan Memorial
C.T. Martin
Collier Park
Dunbar
Perkerson
BASKETBALL COURTS
A. D. Williams Park
Chattahoochee
J. F. Kennedy Park
Lillian Cooper Shepard
Maddox Park
Underwood Hills Park
TENNIS COURTS
Anderson Park
Center Hill Park
English Park
Frankie Allen Park
Grove Park
Pittman
Rev. James Orange
at Oakland City
William Walker
TENNIS COURTS CONT..
Knight Park
Mozley Park
Peachtree Hills Park
Shady Valley Park
Underwood Hills Park
RECREATION CENTERS
A.D. Williams (Partner Site – P.A.L.)
Anderson (Partner Site – P.A.L.)
C.A. Scott
English Park Grove Park
Washington Park
OUTDOOR COURTS
OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS
Adair Park II
Ben Hill Park
Cleopas R. Johnson
Collier Park
Deerwood Park
Harwell Heights Park
Isabel Gates Webster Park
Melvin Drive Park
Rev. James Orange Park
Perkerson Park
Rose Circle
West End Park
West Manor Park
Wilson Mill Park
OUTDOOR TENNIS COURTS
Adair Park II
Adams Park
Ben Hill Park
Cleopas R. Johnson
Collier Park
Deerwood Park
Harwell Heights Park
Isabel Gates Webster Park
Melvin Drive Park
Rev. James Orange Park
Perkerson Park
West End Park
West Manor Park
Wilson Mill Park
Grove (Lights)
A.D. Williams
FOOTBALL FIELDS
Anderson (2 Fields)
English Park
John F. Kennedy Park
Mozley Park
MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS
Chastain Memorial (2 Fields)
Grove Park
Peachtree Hills Park
Underwood Hills Park
Washington Park
SOCCER FIELDS
Grove Park
Center Hill Park
Maddox Park
SOFTBALL FIELDS
Center Hill Park
Washington Park
Frankie Allen Park
MINI PITCH
Center Hill
Anderson
NORTHWEST DISTRICT
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
FIELDS
BASEBALL FIELDS
Adams Park (2 Fields)
Ben Hill Park
Deerwood Park
Melvin Drive Park
Perkerson Park (3 Fields)
Rev. James Orange Park
West End Park
Wilson Mill Park (3 Fields)
FOOTBALL FIELDS
Pittman Park
MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS
Adamsville Park
Ben Hill
Collier Park
West Manor Park
SOFTBALL FIELD
Adair Park II
Adams Park (2 Fields)
John A. White Park
Harwell Heights Park
Pittman Park
MINI PITCH
Adams (2 Pitches)
Isabel Gates Webster
FIELDS
BASEBALL FIELDS
Central Park
MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS
Central Park
Candler Park
Historic Fourth Ward Park
Shady Valley Park
SOCCER FIELDS Iverson Lake Claire
RECREATION CENTERS
Bessie Branham
Central Park
J.D. Sims
M.L. King, Jr.
Peachtree Hills
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
OUTDOOR COURTS
BASKETBALL COURTS
Candler Park
Central Park
Selena Butler
J. D. Sims Park
Parkway-Wabash
VOLLEYBALL COURT
John Howell Memorial Park
TENNIS COURTS
Candler Park
Central Park
Goldsboro Park
Lake Claire Park
Lenox Wildwood
McClatchey Park
Selena Butler Park
Field provides lights
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
RECREATION CENTERS
Arthur Langford Brownwood
(Partner Site – East Atlanta Kids Club)
Coan Park
Grant Park
Lang Carson (Partner Site)
FIELDS
BASEBALL FIELDS
Arthur Langford Jr. Park
Bessie Branham Park
Chosewood Park
East Lake Park
South Bend Park
Southside Sports Complex
(Four fields)
Thomasville Park
Phoenix II Park
MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS
Boulevard Crossing Park
Coan Park
Grant Park
South Bend
Rosel Fann
South Bend Center for Art & Culture
Thomasville
(Parter Site – P.A.L.)
Zaban
FOOTBALL FIELDS
Rosel Fann
SOCCER FIELDS
Benteen Park
Boulevard Crossing Park
D. H. Stanton Park
Southside Sports Complex
SOFTBALL FIELDS
Coan Park
D. H. Stanton Park
Empire Park
Harper Park
Rawson-Washington Park
MINI PITCH
South Bend
South Side Sports Complex
Thomasville
OUTDOOR COURTS
BASKETBALL COURTS
Arthur Langford Jr. Park
Bessie Branham Park
Brownwood Park
Chosewood Park
Cleveland Ave Park
Coan Park
East Lake
Empire Park
Four Corners Park
Grant Park
Harper Park
Kimpson
Lang Carson Park
Phoenix II Park
Rawson Washington Park
Rebel Valley
South Atlanta Park
South Bend Park
Southside Park
Thomasville Park
Windsor Street
TENNIS COURTS
Arthur Langford Jr. Park
Bessie Branham Park
Brownwood Park
Chosewood Park
Cleveland Ave. Park
Coan Park
East Lake
Empire Park
Grant Park
Harper Park
Lang Carson Park
Phoenix II Park
Rawson Washington Park
Rosa L. Burney Park
South Atlanta Park
South Bend Park
Southside Park
Thomasville Park
Walker Park
Dog Parks
Piedmont Park
400 Park Dr. NE, Atlanta 30306
South Bend 1955 Compton Dr. SE, Atlanta 30315
Renaissance Park
501 Piedmont Ave. NE Atlanta 30308
Walker Park
200 Memorial Terrace SE, Atlanta 30316
Freedom Barkway
523 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta 30312
Kirkwood Dog Park 1694 Wade Avenue, NE Atlanta 30317
Melvin Drive Park Dog Park
3847 Melvin Drive, SW Atlanta 30331
Mozley Dog Park
1565 M.L.K Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta 30314
LeashUpATL
CITY OF ATLANTA
ANDRE DICKENS MAYOR
LACHANDRA BURKS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
JUSTIN CUTLER COMMISSIONER
LA’SHAWN BROWN DUDLEY DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
DANNETTE LEININGER DIRECTOR, RECREATION
GREG PARMER
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS MANAGER
PHILLIP SMITH
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
SARAHJANE WARDLAW
SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT
FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
DR. LYNN A. PAXTON DISTRICT HEALTH DIRECTOR
KRISTIN DIXON SENIOR MANAGER
DR. AMMY ASTACIO HEALTHCARE MANAGER
PAUL IGALI
HEALTHCARE PROGRAM CONSULTANT