ATLANTA, May 2, 2022 – Friends of Boulevard Pocket Parks have announced that they have received a
Park Pride Grant in the amount of $165,000 to fund improvements to playground equipment and seating in Parkway-Wabash Park, known locally as “Peace” Park.
Park Pride and members of the Boulevard Pocket Parks’ community recognize that great parks increase the quality of life for residents by supporting healthy people, strong, engaged neighborhoods, vibrant business districts, a robust economy, and a wholesome environment. The leadership of Boulevard Pocket Parks and community leaders met with neighborhood children and seniors to gather opinions about the park itself and improvements that could improve its value to the community. This grant to Friends of Boulevard Pocket Parks will be able to enhance the playground equipment for our children, build new and attractive seating in the park and install game tables and shade structures to improve and increase neighbors’ use of the park.
“The immediate community came together with an extensive wish list for this park’s improvements, chief among them making the park more attractive, more fun and safer for our children and youth. We are also delighted to provide comfortable seating and games tables for our older neighbors seeking to enjoy the outdoors. Park Pride embraced our vision and made it possible for us to seek even more improvements than originally envisioned. “The park’s enhancement will be a revitalized destination everyone can enjoy,” agree Catherine Chase, President of Fourth Ward West, and Terry McColl, President of Fourth Ward Alliance, two of the neighborhood associations in the O4W.
Park Pride—whose mission is to engage communities to activate the power of parks—currently works with over 100 local Friends of the Park groups in the City of Atlanta, unincorporated Dekalb County, and the cities of Tucker and Brookhaven. The organization’s Grantmaking Program is generously supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, the City of Atlanta, and others. “These improvements will provide opportunities for multiple generations to enjoy the park and to play together. The Friends of Boulevard Pocket Parks have involved the greater community in the planning for the grant and we are excited to support this endeavor,” stated Kayla Altland, manager of the nonprofit’s Grant making Program.
To stay informed or get involved please contact Friends of Boulevard Pocket Parks through either of the neighborhood associations’ websites or Facebook pages.
About Park Pride: A trusted Atlanta-based nonprofit for over 30 years, Park Pride engages communities to activate the power of parks. Working with over 100 local Friends of the Park groups across 250 greenspaces, Park Pride provides leadership, services and funding to help communities realize their dreams for parks that support healthy people, united neighborhoods, a resilient city, and a healthy environment. Park Pride is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the public about the benefits of parks, and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace Conference. Learn more about Park Pride at www.parkpride.org