Piedmont Park’s North Woods Begins to Take Shape

Rebekah Calvert recently got a first-hand look at the construction site for the North Woods expansion of Piedmont Park. Led by Chris Nelson, Executive Vice President and COO of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the tour offered insights into the future of the North Woods and its sustainable initiatives. The $43 million phase one renovations include the renovation of 41 acres of land north of Park Drive Bridge, extending to Piedmont Avenue near the Ansley Mall area.

Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates (TSW) completed the Master Plan for the North Woods in 2004. The plan was developed through a comprehensive process of community workshops, recommendations, and implementation strategies. The expansion project aims to enhance the park’s ecological function while creating opportunities for visitors to engage with nature.

The North Woods will feature an outdoor classroom, a boardwalk through a wetland area, and a 4.5-acre meadow that will serve as a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Sustainable features include a cistern to capture rainwater for irrigation, LED lighting throughout the park, and the use of permeable pavers in parking areas. The park’s conservancy is also exploring ways to generate renewable energy through solar panels.

The North Woods expansion is part of the larger Piedmont Park Master Plan, which TSW helped develop in 2002. The plan identified key areas for improvement and set out a vision for the park’s future, including the addition of new amenities, improved pedestrian and bicycle access, and a more sustainable park design. The North Woods expansion is expected to be completed in late 2022, providing park visitors with new opportunities to explore and connect with nature in the heart of Atlanta.

Master Plan for the North Woods

For more information on the expansion:
http://www.piedmontpark.org/restoration/parkexpansion1.html

Recently completed parking deck that serves
the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park

Underground cistern that will capture
and store water for irrigation

Recently completed vehicular bridge that is
part of the new Monroe Drive access

Construction site for the future lawn
areas and interactive fountain

Master Plan