Atlanta’s largest green space is being renamed for former Mayor Shirley Franklin.
The Atlanta City Council at its Feb. 3 meeting approved an ordinance to rename Westside Reservoir Park to “Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.”
In 2016, the city began drilling what was known as the Bellwood Quarry, located between Bankhead and West Midtown, into a 2.4 billion gallon reservoir. The quarry was a popular spot for filming and was seen in “The Walking Dead,” “The Hunger Games” and “Stranger Things.”
The city then developed the roughly 300 acres around it into Atlanta’s largest park – Westside Reservoir Park. After five years of work, the park opened in 2021.
The ordinance to rename Westside Reservoir Park includes comments from Neighborhood Planning Unit G in northwest Atlanta with members saying they opposed the idea of naming the park “after a political figure or living person.” Comments were also made there was a lack of community engagement.
The council also approved an ordinance renaming Downtown’s Central Avenue to “Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard.” Central Avenue runs alongside City Hall between Decatur Street and Pryor Street.
The renaming of the park and street were recommendations made by a commission to honor the city’s 58th mayor. A survey on the city’s website had asked participants to check a box asking if they wanted to honor the former mayor by naming a street, building, park or “other” after her.
Franklin served two terms, from 2002 through 2010. She was the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major urban city in the south.
During her tenure, Franklin prioritized fixing Atlanta’s sewer system. The city also purchased the former Bellwood Quarry site that became Westside Reservoir Park while she was mayor.
“It’s with great pride that we permanently weave Mayor Franklin’s name into the fabric of Atlanta. This honor serves as a constant reminder of her visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to public service, and the positive impact she’s had on generations of Atlantans,” council member Andrea Boone said in a statement.
“[Mayor Franklin] led efforts to enhance Atlanta’s infrastructure, foster community engagement, and shape the city’s future,” council member Marci Collier Overstreet said. “The ordinances reflect the importance of the Atlanta City Council’s continued efforts to honor and recognize our leaders.”