How to Experience Piedmont Park

Purchased for a club racetrack in the late 19th century, Piedmont Park became a center for Atlanta expositions and fairs until it was purchased by the city of Atlanta and converted to a park in 1909. It quickly became a haven in the heart of Midtown, running along Piedmont Ave. and 10th St. In the late 1980’s, the Piedmont Park Conservancy was founded to support the park’s upkeep, in addition to upgrading and maintaining it’s image. Today, the park hosts several large festivals and events, such as the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta Pride Festival and the Atlanta Jazz Festival. There are many recreational activities available in the park, in addition to multiple monthly special events.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comfortable shoes

1. Take a tour of the park, available every Saturday morning from April through October at 11 am. Tours last from 60 to 90 minutes and are free of charge. You will be familiarized with both the modern and historic sides of the park.

2. Enjoy two softball fields, two soccer fields, two beach volleyball courts, a dirt running path, many paved walkways for running, biking and roller blading and 12 hard tennis courts.

3. Check out the Green Market on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., for fresh produce and baked goods. The Market usually only runs in warmer months, so be sure to check the website to make sure it’s going on (see Resources below).

4. Every few Saturdays, participate in a Clean and Green Program to help maintain the park by mulching, cleaning, weeding and planting. Check the Conservancy website for upcoming dates (see Resources below).

5. Stop by the Park Tavern, inside Piedmont Park and bordering Monroe Ave. for a bite to eat or a drink. Classic American cuisine is paired with a quality micro brewed beer selection and a full bar. When it rains outside, drafts are only $1.

6. Piedmont Park also hosts bird walks, field trips and day camps. These are great bet for outdoor recreational activities for children.

Tips & Warnings

• While you are in the area, check out the Atlanta Botanical Gardens adjacent to the park.

Resources

• Piedmont Park Conservancy
• Friends of Piedmont Park