It began with a dream. DeKalb County resident Gabbie Atsepoyi wanted more usable greenspace in her neighborhood that could be enjoyed by all members of the community. She wondered whether a forested, overgrown stream between her house and Columbia Elementary School could be transformed into a nature trail that would serve as the perfect outdoor … Continue Reading →
On July 13, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, District 12 Council Member Antonio Lewis, Parks & Recreation leadership, Friends of Pittman Park, Park Pride, and Pittsburg neighborhood residents celebrated refreshed and refurbished amenities in Pittman Park. Park Pride proudly supported these improvements through our Grantmaking Program, with over $150,000 in awards (over two grant cycles) which funded a joint basketball/volleyball court, picnic tables, playground equipment, and a memorial bench.
As public spaces, parks are inherently political, each with its own hidden minefield of competing interests that come to light when working with communities to build consensus around a shared vision for their neighborhood park. However, this park planning process doesn’t have to be divisive, as much of politics are. On the contrary, when park planning fully engages the community (as we have experienced through Park Pride’s longstanding Park Visioning Program), it is not only democratic and fair, but it can actually strengthen communities. Read more in this month’s contribution to Saporta Report.
SOURCE: Saporta Report
Say hello to Noor Jaleel, a Park Pride summer intern supporting our community building efforts! Noor has been working directly with Friends of the Park groups across Atlanta, facilitating our annual check-ins. With her help, Park Pride has identified the needs of Friends groups and evaluated program success. We’re thrilled to have her on board. … Continue Reading →
Local businesses and corporations support Park Pride’s mission year-round, making a big impact on Atlanta’s local parks. Corporate groups can tap into team building opportunities such as custom, private volunteer projects to address urgent park needs while supercharging employee engagement.
Despite overlapping layers of natural, cultural, and historical meaning, City of Atlanta residents have had no direct access to the Chattahoochee River via public parks or trails, nor to the health and wellness benefits that such amenities provide. Only recently is that beginning to change thanks to a collaborative effort between Park Pride, the community, partner nonprofits, and local government.
This spring, Park Pride announced its largest grant cycle in history: $2.3 million for capital improvements to local parks! Established in 2004, Park Pride’s Grantmaking Program awards funding to community groups seeking to revitalize their neighborhood greenspaces. It is designed to support Friends of the Park groups taking on larger projects as they grow and … Continue Reading →
The case for parks is an easy one to make — increased physical activity within the community, lower levels of stress and a healthier urban environment. But in a city with one of the starkest income disparities in the nation, city and nonprofit leaders are working to be intentional about providing quality access to the outdoors for all Atlantans. On June 16, local park leaders gathered for a roundtable discussion hosted by nonprofit Park Pride about the future of parks in Atlanta and how to make them more accessible, equitable and plentiful.
SOURCE: Saporta Report
Parks are good for people and the communities of which they’re a part. They’re foundational for the health of local wildlife and habitats, and function as critical urban infrastructure by absorbing stormwater runoff, cooling ambient temperatures, providing the open space necessary for public health, and so on. Park Pride believes that parks have the potential to make cities great—but only if they receive the investment required to activate their multitude of benefits.
SOURCE: Saporta Report
A quiet walk in the park was not in the cards for Park Pride Program Manager, Kayla Altland, and her one- year old … nor was it meant to be! Approaching Freedom Barkway on a clear Saturday morning in May, Kayla’s son was delighted by the cacophony of howls, barks, and yips that surrounded him. … Continue Reading →
