The Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association has announced the opening of two transformative parks on Highland Avenue: 54 Columns Park and the Path Greenspace.
54 Columns Park
54 Columns, located at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Glen Iris Drive, has been a landmark in O4W for 24 years. World-renowned artist Sol LeWitt’s public art installation of 54 concrete columns has been reimagined as a park featuring a winding pathway, seating areas, a terraced wall, landscaping improvements, new entry points, and improved signage.
“The new 54 Columns Park will be a wonderful addition to this historic and dynamic neighborhood,” said Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts. “We’re thrilled that we were able to help fund it to enhance the enjoyment of arts and culture for the residents and visitors of Atlanta and Fulton County.”
Park Pride, another major funder, commented: “Our mission at Park Pride is to engage communities through the power of parks. They increase quality of life, promote community engagement, and make citizens happy. 54 Columns Park delivers on that mission,” said Kayla Altland, Director of Grantmaking and Fiscal Sponsorship of Park Pride.
The Mark Taylor family, instrumental in the park’s inception in 1999 and revitalization today, shared their vision: “Our family’s investment in and collaboration with the artist 25 years ago was to create a space for art and reflection. We’re excited that the neighborhood is taking the sculpture to the next level inspiring more visitors and more conversations about this fabulous piece of artwork” said Chuck Taylor.
There will be a community celebration to mark the opening of the park on Thursday, May 16, starting at 5 p.m.
Highland Avenue Path Greenspace
The Highland Avenue Path Greenspace is a pocket park located at the entrance to Freedom Path offering green space with a seating area for neighbors and visitors.
Perennial Properties, a key supporter of the greenspace project, expressed their enthusiasm in a statement: “As long-term property owners on Highland Avenue, we are thrilled with these new parks. These developments align perfectly with our vision for continued growth and vitality in the neighborhood.”
Collaborative Success
These parks are the signature pieces of the rejuvenation of Highland Ave led by the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association. Other elements include the cleanup and planting of a small park at Corley Street and Highland Avenue which now hosts free yoga sessions, new planters in the median of Highland Avenue, a new bike corral, and painted crosswalks to create a safe, welcoming atmosphere.
Tom Boyle, President of Fourth Ward Neighbors, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project: “This has been a two-year journey and it could not have been achieved without the support of dedicated neighbors, elected officials, committed donors and the business community. We are immensely grateful for their time and funding as we make the Old Fourth Ward the best neighborhood in Atlanta to live, work and play.”
