As Atlanta embarks on a new chapter under the leadership of Mayor Dickens and with Activate ATL serving as a guide for our parks and recreation system, the future appears bright for local parks. However, it is important to examine the city’s past to understand what is required to move forward to a stronger, more equitable park system that serves all Atlantans.

How has Atlanta’s history impacted the state of our park system? What catalyzed Atlanta’s jump from #49 to #27 on the 2022 ParkScore Index? How can we advance an equitable park system where every Atlantan has access to a quality park? How does Atlanta fit into the national context of park leadership and innovation? How do we move Atlanta—and our park system—forward? 

We’ll dig into these questions and more at Park Pride’s Summer Roundtable, taking place virtually on Thursday, June 16 from 12 – 1 p.m. over Zoom. Park Pride’s Executive Director, Michael Halicki, will moderate a discussion with panelists including:

• Linda Hwang, Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation at The Trust for Public Land 
• Tara Buckner, Urban Planner at the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation
• George Dusenbury, Georgia State Director at The Trust for Public Land