Ground Broken for Historic Fourth Ward Park, First in Series Along Atlanta's BeltLine

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – With small plastic shovels in hand, five children from the Renaissance Learning Center turned the dirt on what will be Historic Fourth Ward Park.

The Trust for Public Land purchased the site near the corner of North Avenue and Glen Iris in 2004. Since then, various public and private agencies have been developing plans for the park.

Leaders say the park is symbolic because it connects several neighborhoods that have long been separated by race, money, and even physical barriers.

Councilman Kwanza Hall represents the area around the park:

"We're offering a community amenity that will also solve a huge storm water problem that we've had in this city for many, many years," Hall said.

A 30-million dollar storm water detention pond is the centerpiece of the park.

Hall says construction should be completed in two years.

Jim Burress, WABE News