Mayor Andre Dickens announced the acquisition of the 50-acre Tatum Lakes property, marking a major step toward transforming the urban forest into a publicly accessible park and nature preserve. Located in Southwest Atlanta and loosely bound by Boulder Park Drive SW, Dollar Mill Road SW and Bakers Ferry Road SW, the site will offer residents and visitors a rare opportunity to experience nature in one of the city’s most ecologically significant landscapes.

“This project is personal to me—as a kid growing up in Adamsville, I passed these lakes every day going to school, DPR recreation centers for afterschool activities and pretty much anyplace I was headed to or from,” said Mayor Dickens. “Acquiring the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve ensures this greenspace will be protected for generations to enjoy. We have made investing in our greenspaces a priority—Atlanta now invests more than twice the national average per resident. Our parks help create a healthier, more connected city, and conserving this land is just one way our Administration is reversing decades of underinvestment in underserved communities for Atlanta families and seniors.”

“Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve has always been a shared point of pride for my District 10 constituents and all who call Adamsville home,” said District 10 Councilmember Andrea L. Boone, who also serves as Chair of the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee. “Thank you to Mayor Dickens, his Administration—especially DPR—for their for their collaboration and commitment in expanding access to greenspaces in Southwest Atlanta and citywide.”

Guided by community input, the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve will protect sensitive habitats while expanding access to outdoor recreation through the creation of low-impact trails and amenities. The property includes approximately four acres of lakes and wetlands surrounded by a mature oak-pine-hickory forest, providing critical ecosystem services such as stormwater management, wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration.

This conservation project is in alignment with Mayor Dickens’ Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI), the Administration’s long-term imitative for all members of Atlanta’s “Group Project” to strengthen historically underserved neighborhoods across the city.

“This acquisition is a transformative investment in Southwest Atlanta. Tatum Lakes will protect vital ecological resources and provide safe, sustainable access to nature for thousands of residents. Our master plan will ensure this preserve remains a natural treasure for decades to come,” said Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler.

The project aligns with community priorities outlined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Activate ATL, addressing park equity in Southwest Atlanta and advancing climate resilience goals.

The City purchased the property using Tree Trust conservation funds. Federal investment will be pursued to support master planning and initial capital improvements. Long-term stewardship will be managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

DPR Media Contact: Melissa Mims at [email protected]