September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 69

The Atlanta BeltLine turns
an idea into reality
It began as a graduate thesis in 1999 by a Georgia Tech student
who proposed reconnecting 45 neighborhoods along the city's
mostly abandoned rail corridor. According to Ryan Gravel's thesis,
it would spur economic development, leading to " both the revival
of the inner city, and the protection of [our] natural ecology and
agricultural resources. "
Today, Atlanta is realizing this vision through a 25-year plan,
which creators say is one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban
redevelopment projects currently underway in the United States.

BeltLine Basics
The Atlanta BeltLine is a $2.8 billion project formed by the
Atlanta Development Authority, and made possible through
partnerships with many city departments. It will culminate in a
22-mile light rail system, connecting new and existing parks and
trails, housing developments, historic sites, and public art.

Highlights:
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Inman Park

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dedicated in November during NRPA's 2011 Congress and
Exposition, is intended to serve the needs of local residents
while at the same time creating a new sense of community
and a new quality of life.
" We're working hard to integrate our neighborhood and
community parks into the fabric of the community in which
they are located, " Dusenbury points out. " We're helping to
meet the residents' needs...and establishing parks that are
unique reflections of those that live and work in the surrounding areas. "
And like all of Atlanta's new parks, it is being designed for
adaptability.
" We're building parks and providing opportunities to
meet the needs of communities now, and as they change and
grow in the future, " Dusenbury says.
Amy Kapp is former NRPA Communications Manager and is

currently a freelance writer in Northern Virginia.

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33-mile network of multi-use trails connecting 40 parks
(9 or 10 major parks, and 700 acres of existing parks)
1,300 acres of new green space (12 new green spaces)
50,000 units of residential housing
5,600 units of affordable workforce housing
1,100 acres of remediated and redeveloped brownfields
$20 million in new economic development throughout
its inception
30,000 new jobs

The project is supported by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Atlanta
BeltLine Partnership, which kicked off a $60 million capital campaign in 2007 to help underwrite the development of key parks
and trails that has raised more than $35 million to date.
Spokesperson Ethan Davidson notes the " all hands on deck
effort, " with community engagement at its core. The 1,500 volunteers regularly attend neighborhood festivals to generate
support. Davidson also credits free bus tours with " opening people's eyes and making them see the city anew, " serving more
than 10,000 people thus far, and introducing even lifelong residents to new areas of Atlanta.
" The BeltLine will be what Atlanta becomes known for, and
another reason for people to love their city, " Davidson says. " An
amazing amenity that brings communities and people together
that...a catalyst for economic growth and development, and at
the same time a great public space for people to enjoy. "

www.NRPA .ORG

SEPTEMBER 2011

Parks & Recreation 67

September 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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