By Hannah E. Jones
For many, Piedmont Park’s Landmark Luncheon was an event worth braving the rain for. On Thursday, April 27, elected officials, local leaders and greenspace supporters gathered in the green heart of Atlanta while donning florals, bright colors and raincoats.
Hosted by the Piedmont Park Conservancy, this year’s celebration focused on Conservancy CEO Mark Banta, who was presented with the Legacy Award.
“Some have said in recent months that Atlanta is emerging into a golden age of parks,” Conservancy Board Chair Ellen Sacchi said while kicking off the program. “We like that idea. We like it a lot. I know the Conservancy will do its part to make sure that can happen.”
A member and donor-funded nonprofit, the Conservancy works with the City of Atlanta to upkeep and activate Piedmont Park. Since 1989, the team has put over $66 million in capital improvements into the park.
After nine years at the helm, Banta is set to retire later this year, and the Landmark Luncheon was a celebration of his leadership and dedication to Piedmont Park. Committed to Atlanta’s parks, he also worked as general manager at Centennial Olympic Park from 1996 to 2012.
Banta became emotional during his speech, thanking local elected officials, the Conservancy team and his family for their support.
At the start of his career, Banta said he knew that he wanted to work outside and have a positive impact on the community around him. Around four decades later, local leaders and nature enthusiasts have gathered to celebrate his career in Piedmont Park and beyond. A search has been conducted for the new CEO, and an announcement is expected soon.
“Mayor Dickens is the real deal. Justin Cutler is the real deal. This City Council is the real deal,” Banta said. “These are the best folks we’ve had in a long, long time — in my lifetime, and I’ve been here since ‘68.”
Atlanta Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler took the stage in celebration of Piedmont and Banta’s tenure while also emphasizing the importance of strong private-public partnerships.
“By working together, we can leverage strengths of both public and private sectors to create something truly special — a park system that is second to none,” Cutler said. “Piedmont Park has and will continue to play a critical role in our park system. It’s truly one of the most special places in our city.”
Cutler also gave a little insight into the city’s upcoming budget proposal, which Mayor Andre Dickens will release on Monday. Next week, Dickens will recommend a 6.5 percent increase in Atlanta’s park budget, which would allocate an additional $2.8 million to maintenance, utilities and recreational programming.
The luncheon also serves as a yearly fundraising event for the park. While many festivals and events are held in Piedmont each year, those funds don’t go back into the park. In turn, the Conservancy crowdsources the money needed for upkeep or programming, generating about $5 million each year.
This year, the team is raising money for an inclusive playground that is accessible to all children. Initial design plans have been drafted, and the city has approved the proposed site — located near the pool and concessions stand. The Conservancy still needs to secure $700,000 to $1 million to bring the plans to fruition.
With this new playscape designed specifically for children of all abilities and needs, they can connect with nature and each other. Banta’s daughter, Jessica, has special needs — making this project especially close to his heart.
“The playground is needed because there’s not enough of those resources for special needs families. The cool thing about these types of playgrounds is that they serve able-bodied and special needs kids equally, so they can play side-by-side,” Banta said. “The kids that use these types of facilities have so much joy and that’s why we [build] them. You get to see them with big smiles and laughs, and that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
After the program, folks lined up to chat or take a photo with Banta, a testament to his legacy within Atlanta’s green community.
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