In the Works

Westside Reservoir Park, MLK Jr. Natatorium

By Isadora Pennington

Atlanta media recently got a tour and update on the progress of two big city projects: Westside Reservoir Park and the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center.

The former Bellwood Quarry site is being transformed into the city’s new reservoir and a giant 280-acre park connected to the Atlanta BeltLine. The recreation center, located in the Old Fourth Ward, is the much-anticipated replacement for the old MLK Jr. Natatorium.

Here’s a closer look at both projects.

Westside Reservoir Park

Located about a mile west of Midtown, the old granite quarry site has been drained of its shimmery blue water as a giant boring machine inches toward the Chattahoochee River, which will eventually fill the reservoir with 2 billion gallons of water.

The future Westside Reservoir Park will include a 4,000 square foot grand overlook spot with views of the reservoir and paths to the Beltline. From the overlook, visitors will be able to appreciate the full scope of the quarry, the majesty of its rocky walls and the city skyline looming on the horizon.

“We are very ambitious over here,” said Amy Phuong, Commissioner of the Atlanta Parks & Recreation Department, during the Sept. 7 tour. “As we grow to 1.2 million residents, how do we connect folks to nature?”

The park, which will be developed in phases, has an initial opening date set for 2019. Their final plans will incorporate an upper and lower meadow, and the department plans to use community feedback as they develop the park. For now, issues of transportation, safety and funds for development are at the forefront of the planners’ minds.

“We want people to have their own experiences,” said Phuong, noting that engaging with the community is crucial to creating a beneficial park for those who frequent it.

Beyond preparing the area for visitors, the department has also enlisted the help of arborists to establish which trees are native species and which are invasive. Everything –from the layout of the paths to the designs of the gates – will be thoughtfully curated in an attempt to infuse art and nature in practical ways throughout the property.

MLK Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center

Meanwhile, on the other side of town in Sweet Auburn, the 64,000-square-feet Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center is a huge undertaking.

The facility will feature a zero entry pool, swim programs, football, softball, volleyball, space for traditional gym equipment, locker and shower rooms, a running track, a computer lounge, gathering spaces, a senior center and even a 24’ climbing wall.

The building itself is the length of a football field, and has a maximum capacity of 1,800 people, with a pool large enough to accommodate up to 380 bathers at a time. The land was gifted to the department by its previous owner, the Atlanta Housing Authority, which has made this ambitious plan possible.

The center has, at its heart, a mission to meet the needs of the surrounding community. “We’ve never had a space this comprehensive,” Phuong said, gesturing at the long hallway which will someday soon be bustling with visitors. With accessibility in mind, the facility aims to remain a financially viable option for guests by keeping fees low: admission will be only $5 a day, and yearly passes will be roughly $10 per month.

To keep up with progress on these projects and more, visit the website at atlantaga.gov (search under parks and recreation) or follow them on social media via facebook.com/AtlantaDPRCA.