Originally published on SaportaReport.
By Eli Dickerson, Director of Education
I have a secret to tell. I’ve lived in Atlanta since 2005 and, this year, I rode a MARTA bus for the very first time.
I know, I know… shame on me. I’ve been riding the MARTA train since first moving here in 2005 so why did it take me so long to ride the bus? After all, I’m an environmental educator and have been preaching the clean commute gospel for decades.
Well, it turns out I have no one to blame but myself. I also have myself to thank for finally taking the leap! A combination of fear of the unknown, a bad MARTA bus reputation, and just plain laziness (jumping in the car is so easy, right?) kept me from this wonderful mode of transport. Being in a one-car family since 2020, I’ve had to get creative with my commutes and daily errands. So, I decided to check into the buses I see going up and down Memorial Drive and, it turns out, this main thoroughfare that connects my neighborhood to my office has its very own dedicated bus — the “21”.
This past winter, I took the leap and hopped on the bus. Lo and behold it was not only easy, but also efficient, cheap, and made for an enjoyable ride. The morning commute went from mundane and stress inducing to eye opening and stress relieving!
Since I’ve been riding the bus, I’m seeing Atlanta through a different lens. It got me thinking… we generally only have our destination in mind when making our commutes. But after just a few trips on the bus, I realized that the journey itself was also part of the draw. Riding the bus is fun! And my employer (like many in Atlanta) subsidizes my MARTA card. It’s a win-win.
I’ve unlocked a new relationship with commuting. It’s not just about where you go but also how you arrive.
So, where’s the tie into greenspace? As a park person, I’ve been thinking about the relationship between public transit and our parks. They offer similar benefits — both allow you to interact with your city in different ways, provide a space for people from different walks of life to come together and, if done right, can foster a sense of pride about where you live.
This bus-riding journey has made me wonder — locally, which parks can we get to on the bus or train? Are Atlanta’s parks open to all or open to all with a car?
Well let’s start with some of my favorite parks: Cascade Springs, Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve, Kirkwood Urban Forest and Mason Mill Park. None of these have convenient train access and half of the parks offer minimal parking. Well, it turns out that all four are accessible by MARTA bus!
At Park Pride, much of our work is centered around park equity and accessibility. At the macro level, this includes having quality neighborhood parks and desirable amenities. And for parks and greenspaces to thrive, it’s essential that we also consider mode of transit — the key link between people and their parks.
On that note, there’s a lot of action happening in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County as the two jurisdictions strive to enhance their trail plans. As Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) points out, Atlantans want trails. DPR has contracted with the PATH Foundation to create a city-wide trail plan called Trails ATL. Trail connectivity between neighborhoods and parks will inevitably be a part of this plan and by showing up to these meetings, you can share your vision. DeKalb County is also working on its Comprehensive Trail and Greenway Master Plan, which will feature pedestrian and bike trails that connect to existing PATH trails and will also function as key conduits to accessing parks across the county.
So, what can you do? Explore your city. Take public transit. Take notes on what else you would like to see from MARTA, advocacy organizations, and your local parks and transportation departments. Show up to engagement meetings and make your voice heard. Invest in and advocate for the city you want! It’s easy to fall into the trap of complaining about what’s wrong. But today is also a chance to enjoy what’s right and advocate for an even better Atlanta.
Here’s a personal challenge I offer to you. This fall, rather than driving up to North Georgia to take in fall color, I encourage you to take public transit to visit one of the hundreds of amazing parks and greenspaces in Atlanta. By turning over a new leaf, you might just surprise yourself and find a new favorite park while seeing your own city in a brand-new light.
You can even start by taking transit to meet up with Park Pride for one of our monthly Second Friday Walks in the Park. In fact, consider this a personal invitation to join Park Pride, Atlanta District 5 council member Liliana Bakhtiari, and the local Friends group at Lang Carson Park in Reynoldstown on Friday, October 11th at 9am. Bus Route 21 drops off within a few blocks of the park and the Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station is within walking distance. Hope to see you there. Happy trails!
Resources
Transit Resources
Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL)
Trail Plans
DeKalb County Trail & Greenway Master Plan
DeKalb Trails Virtual Open House – 08/15
Nonprofit Resources
Propel ATL, an organization that aims to transform Atlanta’s streets into safe, inclusive, and thriving spaces for people to ride, walk, and roll.
Related Government Resources
Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
Atlanta Department of Transportation