Summer Fun At Piedmont Park}

Summer Fun at Piedmont Park

by

Ajay Sethi

Piedmont Park in midtown Atlanta is one of the citys most popular parks. Open from 6am-11pm, the park provides a variety of opportunities for exercise and recreation. Some recent renovations and expanded facilities are opening just in time for summer visitors to enjoy.

Piedmont Park was established in 1887 as an exclusive gentlemens driving club and horse racing grounds. An agreement between the club and the Piedmont Exposition Company brought fairs and expositions to the site. The most famous exposition held here was the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition, a Worlds Fair lasting 100 days. Several of the parks main features were built during this time. In 1904 the city of Atlanta bought the park property. In 1912 the Olmsted Brothers, landscape architects and sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, developed a master plan for the site.

Today the Piedmont Park Conservancy works with the city to preserve and manage the park. Some recent renovations have included the areas around Lake Clara Meer, with a refurbished dock, three new fishing piers, and the restoration of the historic gazebo. The Aquatic Center saw a complete renovation in 2009. The Dog Park was expanded to three acres in 2010, and has enclosures for large and small dogs. Visitors will find two newly renovated areas opening in 2011. The Magnolia Greenway, once a parking lot, has been turned into green space with bocce ball courts. Children will love the new Legacy Fountain, with its 70 jets that spray water up to 20 feet into the air. Its a great place to splash and cool off on a hot day. Future expansions will include adding 53 acres of usable space to the park.

There are many other park features for visitors to enjoy this summer. There are miles of walking and jogging trails. Two of the most popular ones are the Lake Loop and the Active Oval. Children will enjoy the parks two playgrounds. Mayors Grove is a Boundless Playground for children of all abilities. The Noguchi Playscape, designed by the late artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, emphasizes shape, color, and texture. The park has an excellent Tennis Center, and the Piedmont Conservancy offers fitness classes, and workshops in environmental education and gardening.

The popular Green Market will return this summer. It is rated one of the top five farmers markets in metro Atlanta. It takes place on Saturdays from 9am-1pm at the 12th Street entrance gate. The market features locally grown produce, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, music, chefs demonstrations, and kids activities.

Visitors will be able to enjoy movies again this summer at Piedmont Park. Screen on the Green is scheduled for the five Thursdays in June, starting between 8:40 and 8:55pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring their blankets and snacks and enjoy the family friendly entertainment.

There is limited parking inside the park, so visitors are encouraged to use the multi-level SAGE Parking Facility that the park shares with adjacent Atlanta Botanical Garden. The entrance is off Piedmont Avenue at the Garden.

Ajay Sethi, the General Manager at the Sheraton

Perimeter hotel

.From the moment you enter this Perimeter hotels warm and stylish lobby until you rest your head on The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, youll feel at ease and at home. Experience all that Atlanta has to offer while escaping the rush of the city at the new Sheraton Atlanta Perimeter.For more information visit: http://www.ATLANTAPERIMETERHOTEL.com

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Summer Fun at Piedmont Park}