The Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and NFL Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony announcing details of a $2 million capital improvement project, part of the Host Committee’s Legacy 53 initiative. The investment in and renovation of the City of Atlanta’s John F. Kennedy Park is a commitment to fostering play and healthy lifestyles and will serve as a lasting impact of hosting Super Bowl LIII. 

“This gift to the City of Atlanta and the Westside is the direct result of Atlanta hosting Super Bowl LIII,” said Dan Corso, president of Atlanta Sports Council and chairman of Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee Board of Directors. “The renovation of John F. Kennedy Park will serve as a vibrant reminder of Atlanta’s third Super Bowl and we are grateful to both the NFL Foundation and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for helping make this a reality for our city.”

“The excitement of Super Bowl LIII goes beyond the game. The active community investment from the NFL Foundation and Host Committee is a great example of successful public-private partnerships in action,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “Cultivating thriving communities and creating beautiful spaces in which residents can take pride is the catalyst to revitalization in our often-over-looked neighborhoods. We are grateful for the long-lasting investments that will come to our communities along with the Super Bowl.”

The renovation is part of the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee’s Legacy 53 initiative, which is made possible by contributions from the NFL Foundation, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the July 29 open-to-the-public Atlanta Falcons pre-season practice, where all ticket proceeds were donated to the Host Committee’s Legacy 53 Foundation.

“Our commitment to positive, impactful transformation of Atlanta’s historic Westside neighborhoods began more than 10 years ago and will continue for decades to come,” stated Arthur Blank, Chairman, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “The opportunity to better leverage our Westside investments and elevate the impact of Super Bowl LIII to bring a lasting greenspace focused on sports and fitness is a great honor for all of us in my family, our foundation and in all of our businesses.”

“Through the Legacy 53 initiative, we will collectively create a positive impact for the city of Atlanta and the next generation of Falcons fans,” said Alexia Gallagher, NFL Foundation Executive Director. “The groundbreaking ceremony for the John F. Kennedy Park renovation kicks off a number of our programs focused on celebrating and elevating the Atlanta communities. We are honored to partner with the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation on fostering a lasting legacy in these areas.”

The City of Atlanta owns and operates the park and it currently is primarily used by the students at Hollis Innovation Academy and the neighboring community.  The renovations at John F. Kennedy Park will include the following:

• Full-level turf playing surface

• Community walking path

• Fit-Trail exercise system for fitness training

• New playground equipment with soft turf underpinning

• New hard-court basketball court

• Shade picnic pavilion

• Sidewalk lighting for evening use

• Current playground equipment to be repurposed, upgraded and placed in Ashby Circle Playlot

The renovated John F. Kennedy Park will be unveiled the week of Super Bowl LIII with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Super Bowl LIII will take place on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.