Atlanta's Greenspaces Inadequate for a Growing Population

Atlanta has been recognized as having some of the lowest proportion of greenspace per capita. The city has borrowed more than $100 million in its commitment to create more parks.

1 minute read

February 18, 2009, 12:00 PM PST

By Judy Chang

"Since 2001, Atlanta improved incrementally in the amount of parkland for every 1,000 residents, from 7.6 acres to 7.7 acres, according to the Trust for Public Land. The median amount for the nation's largest cities is 13.6 acres.

With continued growth forecast for Atlanta's population of about 477,000, increasing that ratio will be even more challenging. Not even the Beltline parks could close the gap entirely.

According to the report, Atlanta would do well to model itself after Gwinnett, which has raised nearly half a billion dollars since 1997 to buy and develop parks. Gwinnett is just starting to raise another $135 million with a penny sales tax. Gwinnett and Atlanta are among the few local governments in Georgia that set aside property taxes for parks."

FULL STORY: Report faults Atlanta for lack of park space

Monday, February 16, 2009 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Government / Politics Georgia Parks Atlanta

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