hiddenATLANTA
TOP: A view of Atlanta’s skyline. INSET: Lake Clara Meer.
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The Crown Jewel of Atlanta’s Green Scene
50 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com
PHOTOS: Piedmont Park Conservancy.
Piedmont Park
n major cities, people often need a respite from the hustle and bustle—someplace green where residents and visitors alike can relax in the open air and feel at one with nature. In New York City, that place is Central Park; in Chicago, it’s Lake Michigan; in Atlanta, it’s Piedmont Park. Located in Midtown and bordered by Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street, Piedmont Park By Carly Felton and Sheila Cosgrove is the place where Atlantans go on weekends. In fact, this 189-acre oasis is one of the mostvisited locations in metro Atlanta, with more than 3.5 million visitors each year. Piedmont Park offers a number of green, wide-open spaces for picnicking, sunbathing and relaxing. A paved jogging trail leads visitors around the park through rolling hills, past Lake Clara Meer, tennis courts, an off-leash dog park and more. The park also boasts soccer and softball fields, a gazebo, a children’s playground and an aquatic center, among other amenities. As if those features and facilities weren’t enough, the park also hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta Pride Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Atlanta Arts Festival, the Music Midtown music festival, and Georgia Shakespeare’s annual “Shakespeare in the Park.” Another Piedmont Park staple is the Green Market, which hosts local farmers, bakers and other vendors, as well as classes and workshops. The Green Market takes place on Saturday mornings at the park’s 12th Street entrance, and runs through Dec. 13. Piedmont Park’s status as the jewel of Atlanta’s green crown is enhanced by its proximity to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which is adjacent to the park, and the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile former railway corridor that circles much of the city, forming a system of trails, parks, green spaces and other developments. The park is maintained by the Piedmont Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing and preserving the park. The Conservancy has overseen a number of renovation projects that have upgraded the park’s facilities and expanded its footprint, opening new sections in 2011 and 2013. Larger and more popular than ever, Piedmont Park continues to serve as one of Atlanta’s leading attractions. Piedmont Park is located at 1320 Monroe Drive. For more information, visit www.piedmontpark.org.