Newsroom

Doing Things Differently for Parks

The need for greater funding in our city’s park system–especially for park maintenance– is not a new problem, nor is it solely an Atlanta problem. Cities across the country struggle to meet acceptable standards of care for our parks while balancing competing demands for resources. But now, leaders at all levels in Atlanta have displayed the courage to do things differently, to challenge the status quo, and implement changes that will lead us toward a greener, more equitable, and better maintained park system. In this month’s contribution to the Saporta Report’s “People, Places, and Parks,” Park Pride’s Executive Director, Michael Halicki, and Director of Communications & Policy, Rachel Maher, say “thank you” to these leaders.

SOURCE: Saporta Report

Vanessa Miot Joins the Park Pride Team!

Park Pride is pleased to welcome Vanessa Miot to the team as our Community Services Associate! In this position, she will support Friends of the Park groups as they work to improve their parks, build their capacity to make positive change, and strengthen community through the stewardship of public greenspaces. Continue reading to get to know Vanessa and join us in welcoming her to the parks community!

Atlanta ranks No. 28 on annual ParkScore index

It’s that time of year again — the ParkScore index has been released, bringing the opportunity to reflect on Atlanta’s park system. Created by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), the annual ParkScore ranks the 100 most populous cities based on five categories — access, investment, equity, amenities and acreage. This year, the City of Atlanta was placed at No. 28. This is one spot lower than last year, but TPL noted that the city’s new ranking was based on changes within other park systems, not missteps in Atlanta.

SOURCE: Saporta Report

Atlanta City Council Member Dustin Hillis Introduces Legislation To Strengthen City’s Yearly Commitment to Parks, Recreation Centers, and Trails

District 9 Council member Dustin Hillis introduced legislation to make the largest new, yearly commitment to parks in Atlanta in half a century. The legislation will bolster the City’s dedicated Parks Improvement Fund by approximately $16 million annually, ensuring the City has the funds to properly maintain new and existing parks, recreation centers, and trails. “I appreciate the support of my City Council colleagues, our parks advocacy organizations like Park Pride, and the continued support from the philanthropic community,” Hillis stated. “Once passed, I truly believe this will unlock a true ‘golden age’ of parks here in our great city.”

SOURCE: Atlanta City Council

A Golden Age of Parks in Atlanta? Maybe.

There is a lot of momentum within the parks movement in Atlanta right now, so much so that it’s had Park Pride’s Executive Director, Michael Halicki, wondering whether we’re on the brink of a “golden age of parks.” Read his thoughts on its feasibility and what it would take to get there in this month’s contribution to Saporta Report’s “People, Places, and Parks.”

SOURCE: Saporta Report

Happy Earth Day 2023!

Happy Earth Day! Park Pride, working in partnership with the Friends of Stone Hogan Park, Atlanta’s Department of Parks & Recreation, Trees Atlanta, and LIFE Church, hosted a volunteer workday … Continue Reading →