Downtown Atlanta’s Woodruff Park now features a 6,500-square-foot outdoor off-leash dog park with small and large dog sections.

As Downtown’s residential population has grown, the addition of a dog park for the also-growing canine population was identified in the most recent strategic plan as a priority investment for Woodruff Park, according to a press release from Downtown Atlanta Inc.  

Doug Voss, Commissioner, Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, together DPR Commissioner Hicks, AJ Robinson, President, and Jennifer Ball, COO of Downtown Atlanta Inc., flanked by members of the Reeves Young design team, DPR Park Rangers, Parks and Recreation staff, and Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association representatives. 

“As Downtown Atlanta continues to grow, so does the need for amenities that support our residents and their pets,” Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation. Commissioner Doug Voss said. “The Woodruff Park Dog Park transforms an underutilized area into a vibrant community asset, creating a safe, accessible space for dogs to play and neighbors to connect. This project reflects our commitment to enhancing quality of life and ensuring our parks meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.”

The dog park design features decorative fencing, durable canine turf, improved drainage, and additional lighting and seating, all under the mature tree canopy of the oark.

The Woodruff Park Dog Park was delivered by a design-build collaboration among Reeves Young and Kimley-Horn & Associates. The project also delivered a refreshed ATL playground with new lighting and accessible seating, as well as sidewalk and pathway improvements and repairs to improve ADA accessibility throughout Woodruff Park.

Mashed Potato,  Downtown Atlanta Inc’s  Golden Doodle

Early concept design for the dog park was supported by a grant from Park Pride.

Construction of the dog park was funded by the State of Georgia-administered Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities (INODIC) (Parks and Recreation, FY22) grant program.

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft® newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.

This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.