Creating public space has been an Upper Westside CID priority since our inception in 2016. We’ve teamed up with both public and private partners to open up a remarkable 8.5 acres of land in under 8 years, filling in the gaps where there were only some Atlanta parks or public open spaces before. 

And with Spring (finally) approaching, we thought we’d share a summary of these endeavors, again, all aimed at cultivating a vibrant, GREEN, and livable Upper Westside district.

Below you’ll find a brief description of each of these special projects, as well as the timeline in which they were completed. Use this blog post as a guide on where to get your outdoor fix this Spring! 

2019:

1. Brady Pocket Park: Picture this – a cozy little spot nestled at the intersection of Brady Ave and Howell Mill Rd, spanning 2,300 sq ft. It was our very first parklet, a joint effort with Westside Provisions District, and boy, did it set the bar high!

2. The Waterworks Greenspace: Skip over to 17th Street NW and Northside Dr, where we snagged a whopping 4 acres of green space! This gem is a result of a collaboration with the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Talk about making waves!

2020:

3. Howell Junction Pocket Park: Heading over to West Marietta St, Brady Ave, and 8th St (yes, it’s a 3-way intersection), we’ve carved out 3,500 sq ft for a delightful pocket park where you can tune up your bike before hopping onto the Brady Cycle Track. Shoutout to the Atlanta Department of City Planning & Third and Urban for helping make this happen!

2021:

4. Huff Hill Parklet: Tucked away at Huff Rd and Ellsworth Rd, spanning 2,900 sqft, this parklet is a testament to the power of collaboration, thanks to Selig Enterprises. Bring a partner and get your cornhole on!

2022:

5. MARTA Mobility Pocket Park: Brace yourselves for 6,500 sq ft of pure joy right on Brady Ave. Our partnership with MARTA Transit has truly paid off in creating this urban oasis. Channel your inner child and give the swings a try!

6. Huff Transit Parklet: We’re doubling down on the goodness with another pocket park, this time at Huff Rd and Ellsworth Rd, it’s just a cozy 350 sq ft but it serves a big purpose for MARTA riders. Big thanks to the Atlanta Department of City Planning and the Blandtown Neighborhood Association for helping us make it happen!

7. The Hill at Waterworks: Prepare to be wowed by 2.2 acres of scenic bliss at 17th St and Howell Mill Rd. This was our 2nd collaboration with Watershed Management is a real game-changer for our bird-watching (and skyline-seeking) aficionados. 


8. Huff Linear Green: Last but certainly not least, in our 3rd project with Watershed Management, we reclaimed 2 acres of linear space at Huff Rd and Howell Mill Rd. Who knew moving fences could be so rewarding? Trust us, it’s not as simple as it sounds!

So there you have it– a whirlwind tour of our district’s unique public spaces, big and small. In EIGHT years, EIGHT public spaces were created, and EIGHT-POINT-FIVE acres opened up to the public (all of us) to enjoy. 

It’s amazing what we can achieve when we come together as a community, isn’t it? So, what are you waiting for? Grab your sunscreen, pack a picnic, and let’s make some memories in these beautiful spaces! 

PS – you can check out more about these green spaces on Instagram! And speaking of IG, be sure to tag us when you visit @upperwestsideatl. 👋