State of Atlanta’s Greenspace Prepared by: Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC with: ETC Institute geographIT Malvada Consulting Group PROS Consulting atlanta ’s project February 2008 greenspace embrace your space Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 2.0 Planning Context ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Related Planning Initiatives ................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.1 Parks, Open Space and Greenways Plan (1993) .................................................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Georgia Community Greenspace Program ................................................................................................ 7 2.1.3 Parks Atlanta Rescue Coalition 9-1-1 (2001) / 2005 Atlanta Park System Agenda .................................... 8 2.1.4 Greenways Acquisition Project ................................................................................................................ 10 2.1.5 Trails Master Plan ................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.6 BeltLine Initiative ................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1.7 Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Strategic Plan ..................................................... 13 2.1.8 New Century Economic Development Plan ........................................................................................... 14 2.1.9 Other Initiatives Related to Parks and Greenspace ............................................................................................................ 15 2.1.10 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 16 2.2 Regulatory Context ........................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Open Space Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.2 Transfer of Development Rights ............................................................................................................. 18 2.2.3 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.4 Environmental Regulations ..................................................................................................................... 19 2.2.5 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 24 2.3 Demographic Characteristics and Trends ......................................................................................................... 25 2.3.1 Population .............................................................................................................................................. 25 2.3.2 Population Growth ................................................................................................................................. 26 2.3.3 Gender ................................................................................................................................................... 26 2.3.4 Race and Ethnicity .................................................................................................................................. 28 2.3.5 Households and Income ......................................................................................................................... 28 2.3.6 Population Density ................................................................................................................................. 30 2.3.7 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 30 3.0 Greenspace Issues ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 3.1 Key Person Interview and Focus Groups ........................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Public Meetings ................................................................................................................................................ 37 3.3 Citizen Survey ................................................................................................................................................... 41 4.0 Greenspace System Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 40 4.1 Parkland Analysis .............................................................................................................................................. 49 4.1.1 Atlanta City Parks ................................................................................................................................... 49 4.1.2 Park Distribution .................................................................................................................................... 51 4.1.3 Park Proximity ........................................................................................................................................ 52 4.1.4 Park Accessibility ..................................................................................................................................... 58 4.1.5 Recreational Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 61 4.2 Greenspace Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 61 4.2.1 Other Existing Parks and Greenspace ...................................................................................................... 63 4.2.2 Atlanta’s Drainage System ....................................................................................................................... 65 4.2.3 Other Environmentally Sensitive Areas ................................................................................................... 68 4.2.4 Greenspace Connections ......................................................................................................................... 71 4.2.5 Potential Greenspace System ................................................................................................................... 74 4.3 Other Greenspace Opportunities ...................................................................................................................... 74 List of Figures 2.1 Trails Master Plan .............................................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Populated Areas .................................................................................................................................................. 25 2.3 2005 Population by Age Segment ....................................................................................................................... 26 2.4 2030 Population by Age Segment ....................................................................................................................... 26 2.5 2000 to 2030 Growth Rate ................................................................................................................................. 26 2.6 City of Atlanta Population Forecasts, 2000 to 2030 ............................................................................................ 27 List of Figures (continued) 2.7 2005 Population by Gender ................................................................................................................................ 27 2.8 2030 Population by Gender ................................................................................................................................ 27 2.9 2005 Population by Race .................................................................................................................................... 28 2.10 2030 Population by Race .................................................................................................................................... 28 2.11 2005 Median Household Income ....................................................................................................................... 29 2.12 2030 Median Household Income ....................................................................................................................... 29 2.13 2000 – 2005 Population Density ........................................................................................................................ 31 2.14 2030 Population Density ...................................................................................................................................