A Community Driven Process
Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s iconic urban green space — a 200-acre historic landscape that serves as a vital civic and ecological resource. NBW, in collaboration with Perez Planning + Design, led the development of a 15- to 20-year comprehensive plan for the Park focusing on enhancing public access and ecological revitalization.
Rooted in a community-driven process that engaged thousands of Atlantans, the plan proposes strategic enhancements that respond to both current use and future needs. A major expansion at the park’s north end will introduce a new public plaza and urban gateway. Over six miles of new pedestrian paths include streamside trails and a forest canopy boardwalk revealing the park’s diverse ecologies. Improved circulation infrastructure will connect park users across neighborhoods.
Ecological restoration is central to the plan, which includes the revitalization of Lake Clara Meer through dredging, shoreline planting to support water quality and habitat, and the construction of a new boardwalk to provide additional opportunities for walking and engaging in nature. Along Clear Creek, elevated and creek-level trails will transform the corridor into an immersive, accessible experience. The Active Oval will be reimagined as a vibrant hub for sports and recreation, with updated fields and new courts for basketball, pickleball, and volleyball. Nature play areas, adventure trails, and expanded picnic lawns will invite discovery and gathering for all ages.
The plan also sets a clear course for long-term stewardship, with initiatives supporting biodiversity, soil health, and the care of over 3,000 trees. The Piedmont Park Comprehensive Plan ensures that this treasured landscape continues to grow as a place of connection, resilience, and belonging in the heart of Atlanta.
