Atlanta, Georgia
Client: City of Atlanta
Size: 280 acres
Status: Completed 2021
Awards:
2022 Award of Excellence: Resilient Infrastructure
City of Atlanta Urban Design Commission
Collaborators: CERM, Long Engineering, Reeves Young
From industrial quarry to Atlanta’s
largest public park and emergency
water reservoir.
HGOR led community engagement, masterplanning, and Phase I design for the development of the City of Atlanta’s largest park, transforming a former quarry site into a civic landscape centered around a new reservoir and expansive public greenspace in an area where it was previously lacking. The master plan prioritizes accessibility, connectivity, and flexible open space that can support a wide range of public programming. Through a carefully organized system of trails, overlooks, and gathering areas, the design frames dramatic views of the quarry reservoir and the Atlanta skyline while creating a park that supports recreation, education, and major civic events.
Master Planning Atlanta’s Largest Park
Located on a dramatic quarry landscape, the park was designed to serve as Atlanta’s largest gathering space while responding to the unique topography of the site. HGOR’s master plan organizes the park around the quarry-turned-reservoir, using the site’s natural high points to frame views and establish key destinations. These elevated areas create opportunities for venues to support a wide range of community activities, including educational programming, festivals, weddings, and large public events with overlooks that celebrate both the water feature and the city as a whole.
Connectivity, Access & Gateway Design
Because of the park’s location within surrounding neighborhoods, accessibility and connectivity were critical priorities. HGOR designed a network of walkways and trails that guide visitors through the park while connecting key destinations and viewpoints. A prominent gateway entrance at the intersection of Johnson Road and Grove Park Place establishes a strong identity and sense of arrival into the completed portion of the park, while welcoming visitors into the natural landscape that’s beyond.
Overlooks, Views, &
Public Experience
Trails lead visitors to a grand overlook where expansive views of the reservoir and Atlanta’s only panoramic skyline view are revealed. These carefully framed perspectives transform the dramatic quarry landscape into a civic experience, allowing visitors to engage with the scale and beauty of the site while creating memorable gathering destinations within the park.
Infrastructure, Sustainability &
Water Security
Beyond its role as a public park, the quarry reservoir serves as a critical piece of Atlanta’s water infrastructure. As part of the city’s emergency water supply system, the reservoir increases Atlanta’s drinking water capacity from approximately three days to more than thirty days. The surrounding park landscape incorporates green infrastructure elements that improve water quality and promote groundwater infiltration, reinforcing the site’s role as both civic space and environmental infrastructure.
