A community partnership led by Friends of Waterworks Greenspace, Upper Westside Improvement District and the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is bringing a water-themed playscape and amphitheater to the greenspace on the corner of Northside Drive and 17th Street in West Midtown. 

Through a $100,000 legacy grant from Park Pride, the locally-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks, construction will begin in July on the project’s first phase, featuring custom interactive components inspired by the natural landscape and watershed equipment. In addition, an amphitheater for outdoor teaching and events ranging from concerts to outdoor movies will create a community gathering space.

“We are excited to support the first phase of this community-designed playscape that will represent the steps of the water treatment process,” stated Kayla Altland, a program manager at Park Pride. “This is a unique and innovative design that will not only be fun but educational, too. We look forward to seeing it come to fruition and for the westside neighbors to enjoy this new amenity.” 

Once completed, the playscape elements will emulate the water treatment process at the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant abutting the Waterworks Greenspace.

The creation of new public greenspace has long been a priority for Upper Westside residents. The formerly industrial area suffers from a lack of public greenspace, which coupled with rapid redevelopment exacerbates the need for outdoor recreational areas.

Input from surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and individuals inspired the design by S&ME, Inc.  The community identified the amenities through a series of community meetings, charrettes and surveys between 2017 and 2019.

“Working with the surrounding neighborhood associations, the Friends of Waterworks Greenspace and the city, we identified this corner with its dramatic views of Atlanta and proximity to everything as the perfect spot,” said Elizabeth Hollister, Executive Director, Upper Westside Community Improvement District. “This project will further activate the greenspace, making it welcoming to children and adults alike.” 

Atlanta Waterworks Greenspace is on the edge of three neighborhoods without parks or playgrounds. It serves apartment renters, families, the individuals who work in the area and Georgia Tech students. It is home to an old-growth tree canopy that provides abundant shade, has unparalleled vistas of downtown and Midtown and provides a peak into Department of Watershed’s water treatment operations. 

Friends of Waterworks is raising funds for the next phases of the project, including completing the water-themed elements reflecting the water treatment process. Visit them on Facebook by searching Atlanta Waterworks Park to learn more. 

The Upper Westside Improvement District is a Community Improvement District (CID), a special governmental entity formed by local commercial property owners. The city of Atlanta approved the CID in 2016. The district stretches along Howell Mill Road from Collier Road south to the intersection of Marietta Street and includes Chattahoochee Avenue, Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard and Huff Road. Property owners in the CID fund operations and invest in infrastructure improvements, greenspace, beautification and public safety.

 Since 2004, Park Pride has awarded over $10 million to park projects through their Grant Program, helping to fund improvements that include new playgrounds, bridges and piers, ADA-accessibility upgrades, kiosks and signage, trails, exercise equipment, community gardens, green infrastructure (rain gardens and bioswales), art installations, and much more. Park Pride also provides leadership, services, and funding to over 160 Friends of the Park groups, helping them to realize their dreams for their neighborhood parks. The nonprofit is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the public about the benefits of parks and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace Conference, the largest parks conference in the southeast. Learn more about Park Pride at parkpride.org.