By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager
It’s hot, y’all. Summer might not officially start until June 21, but between the high temperatures and the end of the school year, it sure feels like summer. If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat over the next few months, turn to the pools and splashpads at our local parks!
In Park Pride’s column last month, we talked about the drought that Georgia has been facing and the role that parks and greenspaces can play as we face chronic stresses from severe weather. With extreme heat as the leading cause of death for weather-related fatalities — typically more than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined — water and cooling areas are essential for good health and quality of life.
There’s a long, dark history in our city and nation surrounding access to water, or lack thereof, due to racial discrimination and chronic disinvestment — making third spaces like these even more crucial. (If you’re interested in diving into this topic more, check out Hannah Palmer’s work, including “Ghost Pools,” which provides a brief history of swimming in Atlanta and across America.)
Access to water is one example of parks serving as essential infrastructure during the warm months. Here’s where you can cool off in the City of Atlanta this summer:
City of Atlanta Outdoor Pools (Free!)
- Adams Park
- Anderson Park
- Candler Park
- Grant Park
- John A. White Park
- Maddox Park
- Mozley Park
- Pittman Park (Renovations are complete!)
- Rev. James Orange Park
- Rosa L. Burney Park
- South Bend Park
- Thomasville Park
City of Atlanta Splashpads (Free!)
- Center Hill Park
- Cook Park
- D.H. Stanton Park
- Historic Fourth Ward Park
- Perkerson Park
- Rev. James Orange Park
As parks people, we deeply believe in the power of parks, and we’re working towards an Atlanta where everyone has access to a great one. That’s why, over the past month, we have shown up to Atlanta City Hall to encourage City Council to reconsider the proposed five percent budget cut to parks & recreation for FY2027.
Because great parks don’t happen on their own. As our parks inventory grows and our greenspaces become even more well-loved, we must double down on our commitment to investing in these crucial spaces and their maintenance.
Last month, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) shared that Atlanta ranks #18 in the nation for its parks — our best score to date. TPL also found that city parks generate $3 in benefits for every $1 because parks improve health, decrease healthcare costs, reduce fitness and recreation expenses, and much more. Few public investments deliver that level of return. For these reasons and more, we should put our foot on the gas, not the brake.
While the budget may not reflect what we hoped it would, the community’s turnout certainly did. The greenspace community came out in droves, and we’re so grateful for our network of partners and community members — fondly referred to as the Green Shirt Army — who showed up on behalf of parks. Here’s to all the Green Shirts!
Looking for some outdoor fun but swimming isn’t your thing? Park Pride’s team and Board of Directors have curated a list of parks for you to check out — see our Summer Park Picks!
This is sponsored content.
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