Among the blooming tulips of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, hundreds of parks advocates and officials from across the state and country gathered for the 23rd annual Parks and Greenspace Conference on March 25, focused on a “Parks for All” approach to the future.
The day-long conference was hosted by Park Pride, a nonprofit working with Atlanta and DeKalb County to improve their parks through planning assistance, volunteer programs, grantmaking and community and fundraising support.
Executive Director Michael Halicki said the conference theme, “Parks for All,” is a call to action.
“Everyone deserves access to quality parks and green space regardless of income or zip code,” Halicki said. “Words are hollow if they are not accompanied by action that advances park equity.”
The 2024 conference theme pulled from the “Parks for All” campaign launched by the nonprofit in 2022. It’s the first comprehensive campaign from Park pride since its founding 35 years ago, with a focus on expanding community-led improvements, training local leaders and broadening services and employment.
Park Pride Board Chair Kristy Rachal announced at the conference the nonprofit reached its $12.8 million campaign goal thanks to investments from several groups, including $1 million from the Home Depot Foundation. The money funds things like a $3.9 million investment to 37 park improvement projects, half of which are going to historically disinvested communities.
“Intentionality drives action, and we’ve seen the results of that in the city of Atlanta,” Rachal said.
The city established the Greenspace Advisory Council in 2022 to help guide city policy on parks and natural areas, comprising 13 environmentally-focused nonprofits in the region. Rachal said the council has been instrumental in keeping Atlanta on track for it’s master plan developments.
“What moves me most about Park Pride’s work is that each volunteer project or park improvement not only enhances the physical appeal of our city, but also fills a specific need for each respective community improving our residents quality of life,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a recorded video. “This work is purposeful and rooted in a deep commitment to the people of Atlanta.”
Rachal said the public and private investments into Park Pride would allow for an inclusive new playground and ADA-accessible upgrades, exercise equipment, community gardens, art installations, and signage.
Throughout the day-long conference, a series of speakers and breakout sessions explored topics like diverse public engagement, place-based care and homelessness, preserving nature and the role of citywide parks advocacy groups.
“Our conference speakers are experts in their fields, and I know we will be energized by their innovative ideas and new perspectives,” Rachal said.
Corey Wilson, Superintendent of the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, delivered remarks on intentional community engagement as an award-winning agency. He said everyone, even those who don’t use the parks, benefits from their existence.
“We think about the environmental benefits of Parks and Recreation trees and green space and how that cleans the air and helps us not only physically but mentally, we think about the economic impact of parks, tourism,” Wilson said . “We think about educational benefits and parks — when kids are playing they’re learning, and we think about crime.”
Landscape architect David Rubin delivered a keynote speech on “Empathy and the In-Between,” and National Parks Conservation Association Vice President of Conservation Programs Priya Nanjappaa delivered keynote remarks on “the roots that connect people and place.”
During the conference, Park Pride handed out its annual “Inspiration Awards” to honor local volunteers who “nurture the bond between parks and communities.”
“These individuals were nominated by community members and identified as advocates who inspire others to expand and improve public parks and green spaces, who work to raise awareness about critical system issues and demonstrate a profound commitment to strengthening the connection between arts and their surroundings,” announce and veteran journalist Jocelyn Dorsey said.
This year’s recipients included Pat Reynolds, a DeKalb County park volunteer, Gwendolyn Stegall of Hairston Park, Brenda Busby of Frazier-Rowe Park, Christi Jackon of Historic Washington Park, Jack White of John C. Howell Park and Dr. Yomi Nobi, the former Executive Director of Environmental Community Action.
Useful and well written.