by David Thackston

Created on: May 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 15, 2009

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Piedmont Park is the epicenter of community life in Midtown Atlanta, playing host to such annual celebrations as The Atlanta Jazz Festival, and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Piedmont Park is also one of very few parks in the United States that allow dogs to walk the entire grounds while leashed by their owners, as well as having a separate fenced-in facility where people can allow their pets to roam freely and interact with one another. A staple in the Atlanta community, Piedmont Park has recently been threatened by the consequences of severe drought though it's continued redesign and improvement ensures its longevity as a place of recreation and leisure for the Atlanta area.

The 189 acres that would become the park was originally owned by Dr. Benjamin Walker, who farmed the land until selling it in 1887 to the Gentleman's Driving Club. The land was then turned into a racing grounds for horse enthusiasts, and under agreement with the Piedmont Exposition Company, the land was used for fairs as well. Joseph Forsyth Johnson designed the park as it appeared when host of the 1895 World's fair, but under the Olmsted Plan the park was renovated and improved. Aside from the addition of scenic walking paths, the renovation also linked Piedmont Park with Ansley Park. The park also played host to a variety of sporting events over the years, including being the home field for the state's first professional baseball team, The Atlanta Cracker's.

Perhaps the most enduring rivalry in college sports is that between the University of Georgia and Auburn, which began in Piedmont park in the early 1900's and is known as the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry". Throughout the years there have been many additions made to the park, including tennis courts and facilities, the dog park, covered picnic areas, swimming pools, and the construction of the Lake Clara Meer Dock, which has enabled people to fish from the stocked lake. Piedmont park is host to many of the city of Atlanta's biggest events even today, and in 2008 a plan was unveiled to add over 50 acres to the park.

Even as the park continues to grow, it has been threatened by disaster. In 2008 a widespread drought nearly killed the trees in Piedmont Park and many annual events such as the Peachtree Road race had to be moved. As it is currently undergoing renovation and will be until late 2009, designers have entertained the idea of adding wells to the park to help support the trees that make the park so beautiful. A center of art and entertainment, Piedmont park today continues to serve the Atlanta community as a popular recreation spot and will no doubt remain so for years to come.

Learn more about this author, David Thackston.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.