From playgrounds to pathways, Atlanta’s parks are getting a major boost! Park Pride is thrilled to share that the parks nonprofit has awarded $3.5 million to 19 capital projects across the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County. With a strong commitment to advancing park equity, over 60% of these funds — about $2.5M — are invested in park projects in historically disinvested communities.
Park Pride is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks. Using a community-driven approach, Park Pride works with neighbors to make their greenspace dreams a reality.
This year’s investments are made possible through a blend of public and private support, including longtime funders the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, and the City of Atlanta, as well as new program supporter, The Coca-Cola Foundation and others.
“Park Pride is successful in large part thanks to strong partnerships with community groups, parks departments, elected officials, designers, builders, and private donors who are all working to shape great parks for everyone to enjoy,” said Andrew White, Park Pride’s Director of Grantmaking & Implementation. “With support from our partners, since 2021, Park Pride has invested over $10M into projects in historically disinvested communities.”
“Access to quality parks strengthens neighborhoods and improves quality of life,” said Carlos Pagoaga, Vice President of Global Community Affairs, The Coca-Cola Company, and President, The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We’re proud to support Park Pride in supporting community-driven park improvements across Atlanta.”
“Partnership is at the heart of how we deliver great parks for Atlanta, and we’re proud to support Park Pride’s efforts to uplift Atlanta’s parks and communities,” said Justin Cutler, Commissioner of the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks & Recreation.
One of the 2026 grant awardees is Ella Mae Wade Brayboy Memorial Park, a two-acre park in southeast Atlanta. With this new funding, a series of three new gathering places will be constructed throughout the park — strengthening the park’s role as a recreational hub and a key link between nearby neighborhoods, parks and trails.
“Ella Mae Wade Brayboy Memorial Park serves as a vital connection point between two major trail systems: the Atlanta Beltline’s Westside Trail and the PATH Foundation’s Capitol West Trail. Our community looks forward to the park improvements this grant will fund, creating more gathering spaces while expanding access to recreation and leisure for both neighborhood residents and visitors passing through,” said Maya Teague, President of the Historic Hunter Hills Neighborhood Association.
Park improvements are more than just new swing sets or pavilions; they provide places to play, spaces to gather, and increase access. Keep an eye out for park improvements coming to a greenspace near you!
Places to play
The playground at Ellsworth Park will be redesigned and replaced — maximizing access and installing new, more durable structures to accommodate a variety of ages and abilities.
Families will enjoy a new playground at Frazier-Rowe Park that features interactive climbing structures and an integrated slide.
Thomasville Park will be home to a new, inclusive, ADA-accessible playscape expansion.
Spaces to gather
Ben Hill Park features new picnic tables.
Visitors will enjoy a new amphitheater at Cabbagetown Park.
A series of three new gathering places will be constructed throughout Ella Mae Wade Brayboy Memorial Park.
Families visiting Grant Park will enjoy a new outdoor classroom and gathering space behind the historic Milledge Fountain, which will also address drainage issues.
Improved access
The entrance to Adair Park II from Murphy Avenue will be transformed into a welcoming, safe, and multi-use gateway.
Chattahoochee Park will have a restored parking lot, new lighting, and a dog park.
Coach Rambo Park will feature a new bridge to connect residents of the Dixie Hills neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods to the park.
Visitors to Empire Park will enjoy a revitalized basketball court, walkways, and an improved main entrance.
Freedom Park will feature updated wayfinding signage, highlighting connections to surrounding neighborhoods and paths.
Visitors to Maddox Park will be able to easily access the park with a new pedestrian park entrance from the Bankhead MARTA station and a trail connection with a more pedestrian-focused walkway.
Mountain Way Common will feature a connective trail segment, helping unlock both sides of the park for all visitors.
Visitors to Wade Walker Park will be able to easily navigate the park thanks to new wayfinding signage and trail markers.
The Friends of Herbert Greene Nature Preserve, Friends of Lionel Hampton Beecher Hills Park, and the Friends of Mozley Park have each received a Design Award to create a community-supported construction design. Next year, each group can apply for a grant with accurate cost estimates and a ready-to-implement plan.
To learn more about Park Pride’s Grantmaking Program, click here.