Atlanta Beltline Partnership announced another $1.85 million in philanthropic commitments to develop Enota Park and connect the Westview neighborhood to the Beltline on Feb. 12.
The park will build out the long-standing 0.3-acre play lot at Enota Place. From 2007-2009, the Trust for Public Land acquired six properties to expand the lot into a community space and park set to span 8 acres.
According to the Trust for Public Land, Enota Park will feature a multi-purpose playing field, a full-size basketball court, playgrounds, an event lawn, a restored Proctor creek bed and a community garden. It will cost roughly $14 million total. Construction managed by Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is set to begin in 2025.
The new cohort of project donors includes $750,000 from a Friend of the Atlanta Beltline, $500,000 from Georgia Power, $250,000 from Norfolk Southern, $250,000 from Fraser-Park Foundation and $100,000 from an anonymous donor.
“This generous support demonstrates the strong commitment of our corporate and philanthropic partners to creating vibrant, accessible parks that serve all Atlanta residents,” Atlanta Beltline Partnership Executive Director Rob Brawner said.”
Enota Park will create a long-awaited direct connection between the historic Westview neighborhood and the Beltline. For a decade, designs have sat unrealized for the park project, which was one of the original “jewel parks” in the Beltline’s so-called “emerald necklace.” Westview neighborhood President Dustin Mitchell-Scott said the park and its upcoming construction represent years of collaboration between area residents and Beltline leaders.
“This space will become a cornerstone of our community, providing gathering spaces, recreational opportunities and natural beauty that will benefit generations to come,” Mitchell-Scott said.
More than a dozen foundations have previously provided financial support, including the Coca-Cola Foundation, Truist Trusted Foundations and the Home Depot Foundation. Other funding comes from the Beltline Tax Allocation District, state funds and city infrastructure bonds.
Still, Enota Park is about $1.3 million short in necessary private funding to realize the design, but construction is funded for the 2025 start date. The official kickoff is dependent on permitting, but construction is set to take about 16 months in total.
“We’re grateful for this tremendous show of support from our funding partners,” Executive Director Brawner said. “As we work to complete fundraising for Enota Park, we invite other corporate and philanthropic leaders to join us in creating this transformative public space that will serve Atlanta residents for generations to come.”
Ah, Enota Park—a testament to the power of strategic alliances and benevolent patrons. With an additional $1.85 million secured, the vision of transforming Enota Place into an 8-acre urban sanctuary inches closer to reality. Yet, a $1.3 million gap remains. To those with the means and foresight: consider this an invitation to leave an indelible mark on Atlanta’s landscape. The clock is ticking.
Enota Park is making great progress toward its 2025 construction start, Chill Guy Clicker, with nearly $2 million in new donations to help fund the project.