Green infrastructure park in Atlanta officially opens
The westside of Atlanta, Georgia recently launched its newest green infrastructure park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 7. The long-anticipated Rodney Cook Sr. Park will be able to capture, clean and store up to nine million gallons of stormwater runoff, while also providing families a vibrant natural landscape to enjoy.
According to the city of Atlanta’s press release, Cook Park is named after Atlanta Alderman, State Representative and civil rights advocate, Rodney Cook Sr., who was instrumental in securing funding to build the city’s highway system and airport.
The park’s collaborative design effort was formed in January 2016 amid increasing socioeconomic and infrastructure concern. The City of Atlanta partnered with The Trust for Public Land (TPL) to transform 16 acres of the area’s flood-prone land into a City park. TPL raised $13.7 million for amenities and other aspects of the project’s design on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation. In addition, the Department of Watershed Management invested $12 million to develop the stormwater infrastructure needed to alleviate future flooding and benefit surrounding communities.
“When we began construction on this project four years ago, we knew it was going to be a breathtaking attraction for the community, while redirecting surface runoff from the combined system and also incorporating green infrastructure,” said Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Mikita Browning. “The wet pond will retain excess stormwater, rain gardens will filter storm flow, stormwater planters will capture runoff from neighboring streets, and the wetlands native plantings surround the wet pond to enhance water quality. This was a great collaboration with the Trust for Public Land, and the Department of Parks and Recreation.”
Preceded by a torrential flood in 2002 that resulted in lost homes and ultimately displaced residents in the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods, the area laid vacant as the City worked to seek alternative housing. Once an affluent community where civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Julian Bond, and former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson lived, residents advocated for a permanent solution.
The City of Atlanta responded. In 2012, led by efforts from late council member, Ivory Lee Young Jr., the City formed legislation to begin development of the land and revitalize the community.
The neighborhood is bordered by four historically Black colleges and universities: Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Morris Brown College.
A pivotal and collaborative effort, residents were keenly involved in conceptualizing how the park would serve and strengthen their community.
“At a time when we are all finding the outdoors ever more important to our physical and mental health, The Trust for Public Land is thrilled to deliver Vine City and Westside Atlanta families a world-class park and the lifestyle and health benefits that come with it,” said George Dusenbury, Georgia State Director for The Trust for Public Land. “Our hope is that Cook Park can serve as an example of thoughtful, community-driven investments to provide quality outdoor access.”
Another major attraction of Cook Park is a customized statue honoring the legendary life of Congressman John Lewis.
Cook Park’s 16 acres features an enormous playground, splashpad, multi-purpose courts, a rock-climbing wall, terraced water feature, exercise equipment, lush greenspace, and a 650-foot-long steel bridge atop a majestic bioretention pond and wetlands.
"The completion of Cook Park is a testament of hope not only for historic Vine City residents, but for the entire city of Atlanta," said DPR Commissioner John Dargle Jr. "The community envisioned a better, more resilient place to call home, and now they have a tangible legacy of hope to pass on to future generations!"
Hear Mayor Keisha Lance Bottom’s remarks about Cook Park and view the ribbon-cutting ceremony online here.
SOURCE: City of Atlanta, Georgia
