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Report: Atlanta Beltline Park System

The Trust for Public Land has a long history of land conservation work in and around the city of Atlanta. TPL worked closely with other conservation organizations and led the effort to preserve almost 70 miles of river frontage along the Chattahoochee River; protected land for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site; and recently worked with the city to expand parkland in Southeast Atlanta.

A recent study commissioned by TPL has identified significant and unequaled new opportunities for a proposed transit project taking advantage of the existing Atlanta Beltline, an historic railroad network surrounding the central city.

The study, conducted by respected Yale University professor Alexander Garvin, called The Beltline Emerald Necklace: Atlanta's New Public Realm, shows the potential for developing the first great park of the 21st century, adding 1,400 acres of new green space, mixed-use developments and neighborhood connectivity.

Download the Beltline Report

The Beltline Emerald Necklace, as proposed by the Garvin plan, consists of 2,544-acres of new, expanded, and existing parkland combined with new park-centered mixed-use development. Specifically, it includes the following:

• 1,401 acres of new or expanded parkland
• 613 acres of existing parkland
• 530 acres of new mixed-use housing development
• A 23-mile Beltline Trail for running, walking, and bicycling
• A 20-mile Beltline Transit that will connect into MARTA at one existing and three new stations

Collectively, the Beltline will integrally connect the city's inner-core, provide an identity for Atlanta on a national level, and create a public realm framework around which the city can grow for generations to come.

Over the years, the City of Atlanta has entertained a number of proposals for the redevelopment of the Beltline. Championed by local officials, the Beltline plan is gaining support as a way of directing and reorienting Atlanta's development future and to provide a viable intown transit options for local residents.

Download the Beltline Report

To purchase a hard copy of the report, please contact TPL's Georgia Office, or call (404) 873-7306.

Posted 12/2004

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FILE ATTACHMENTS:

Atlanta Beltline Fact Sheet