The Grant Park Conservancy has completed its long-awaited new playground, bringing to Grant Park a modern play space designed with today’s kids in mind. The new playground is a major step forward for the community and a vibrant, fresh space where kids will explore and grow for generations to come.
The Conservancy led the playground project in partnership with our generous corporate sponsor Delta Air Lines; KABOOM!, a national nonprofit that works with communities to build kid-designed play spaces; the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation; and playground equipment experts KOMPAN. The new design is the result of extensive collaboration, including input from families, community members, and playground design experts, and it replaces one of the city’s original KABOOM! playgrounds.
From rigfht: Council Member Jason Winston Michelle Blackmon, Executive Director, Grant Park Conservancy Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler Suzanne Mitchell, Board Chair, Grant Park Conservancy. Council Member Matt Westmoreland Council Member Marci Collier Overstreet
Construction wrapped up at the end of October, following a three-day “Community Build” that brought together more than 150 volunteers. Neighbors worked side-by-side with staff and representatives from Delta Air Lines, the Grant Park Conservancy, KABOOM!, and KOMPAN to assemble equipment, spread surfacing, and add finishing touches. The Conservancy also completed drainage improvements, installed granite paver borders, upgraded the picnic area, and pruned trees around the site for safety, aesthetics, and tree health.
“Play is essential for kids and playgrounds are essential to building community,” said Michelle Blackmon, Executive Director of the Grant Park Conservancy. “We’re grateful for our amazing partners that helped us create a space that reflects the inclusive, creative spirit of Grant Park, and will serve kids and families from all over Atlanta for generations to come.”
The new playground features distinct play structures, offering different climbing challenges, slides, and platforms for creative play. The layout also includes a seesaw, a spinner that allows kids of all abilities to play together, and animal-themed springers for younger kids. Both sets of swings include traditional seats and basket swings, which allow for shared play and are accessible to children using mobility devices.
The playground surface is made of 1 foot of engineered wood fiber (EWF), which is a sustainable, ADA-compliant material that compacts into a soft, stable “wood carpet” that supports strollers and mobility devices. The surrounding sidewalk is ADA-compatible, and the entryway includes a gently sloped ramp for easy access.
The community gathered for a grand opening celebration, where kids and families got to explore the new playground for the first time. Close to 150 children and their families had fun on the colorful new play structures and put the new playground to the test. After months of hard work, it was heartwarming to see so many smiling faces and kids enjoying the space built specially for them.
To help sustain the project, the Conservancy continues to offer engraved bricks as a lasting way for families, friends, and local businesses to show support. Individual bricks cost $150 and include three lines of custom text and/or a decorative symbol. Business bricks start at $1,000 and are a great way to gain visibility in the community. To purchase a commemorative brick, visit tinyurl.com/gpcbricks.
