Southwest Atlanta is home to some of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta: West End, Cascade, Capitol View, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, Mechanicsville, etc. Contrary to popular opinion, those places are beautiful and have some of the best parks in the whole city.
The southside of Atlanta has no shortage of green spaces. The city was basically built in a forest. Atlanta’s tree canopy has been written about since its inception. And as the city grows, its dense canopy of woods just spreads farther.
Here are the best parks on southside of Atlanta
So, you can see that finding great park space is no biggie in Atlanta, and yet, many Atlanta parks have their own features, dynamics and geography. Whether you’re looking for a place to just chill and relax or trying to find a place for your kids to play, you’ll find that the best Atlanta parks have a little of both.
So, which Atlanta parks are the best on the southside? Well, how about we rely on the many voices found on the internet to answer that question? AtlantaFi has compiled numerous comments from various sites to get their take on the best Atlanta parks you can find.
Perkerson Park
Perkerson Park, located at 770 Deckner Ave SW Atlanta, is a 50-acre park in the Capitol View/Sylvan Hills neighborhoods. It has a basketball half-court just past its entrance, but up the path on a plateau about 200 yards away is a full court basketball court. There’s also a kids’ playground, a recreational fields, a jogging track and frisbee tournament grounds.
South Atlanta Park
Located at Gammon St SE, South Atlanta Park opens at 8 a.m. daily. One Google reviewer said this about South Atlanta Park: “I normally love coming to this park but lately it feels like maintenance has been lacking. This used to be one of my favorite places to come- don’t get me wrong- still is an amazing park. Just wished it was a bit cleaner and up kept.”
South Bend Park
South Bend Park, one of the south side’s signature parks, is located at 1955 Compton Dr SE Atlanta. Here’s what one Google reviewer said: “The trail is very nice but the park itself is a bit sketchy. A lot of homeless make the covered areas their residence. The playground, and all play areas for that matter, could use a good pressure washing. The baseball field looks nice but no rec sports are offered by this park. There’s no public engagement from the city at this park. Which is unfortunate because our community needs it! Maybe a burger/hot dog day in exchange for the community to come out and clean up the park while meeting the neighbors. Just a thought.”
Emma Millican Park
Emma Millican Park, located in Capital View Manor neighoborhood just off Metropolitan Parkway in southwest Atlanta, is a relatively small park built for families, picnics and shade tree chillin’.
Here’s what one Google reviewer said: “Perfect place for a 1 year old grandson to take his grandpa to wear him out so grandpa will sleep well that night. All of it is clean and in great shape. We go several times each week.”
D.H. Stanton Park
D.H. Stanton Park has some pretty trails as well as a baseball park. Located at 213 Haygood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, Stanton Park is located around some of the oldest neighborhoods in southwest Atlanta.
One Google reviewer said this: “Wow! Such a nice playground for kids. Splash pad, rubber Hill area, seating, the works! Use Martin Street address when getting directions from MAPS. If you use Haygood address you will end up on a dead end on a tight Street you don’t want to be on! Didn’t give it 5 stars because there is limited shaded area that is subject to being taken over for a birthday party and no off-street parking.”
Avery Park (The Gilbert House)
Avery Park, where the Gilbert House is located, sits on a civil war site that has been turned into a tourist gathering spot in southwest Atlanta.
“The Gilbert house is a historical Civil War Revenant one of the few homes surviving the burning of Atlanta the house was saved by local who put the fire out years later in the mid-60s the house was restored and now acts as a spool the grounds are very attractive and large lots of shade trees and the home itself is very handsome,” one Google reviewer said. “Excellent artifact from the 1800s in the Civil War Gilbert house if you’d like to see a piece of History.”
Pittman Park
Pittman Park is a recreational mecca for the neighborhoods around Garibaldi Street in southwest Atlanta. PIttman Park has a basketball ball court, a recreation field, a tennis court, a pool and more.
One Google reviewer said: “It is a good park the have cheerleading, football, basketball, and track. You will really love it.”
Howell Park
Howell Park is one of the best parks in Atlanta’s West End area. Located at 983 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Howell Park is a great place to get some fresh air or read a book.
Here’s what one Google reviewer said: “This park needs a facelift…. Things are slowly being added to improve the serviceability of the park but the city should do more to push the junkies and the drunks that frequent the park somewhere else.”
The Rev. James Orange Park at Oakland City
James Orange Park at 1305 Oakland Ln SW has been a family gathering spot for Oakland City residents for years.
“Nice park,” one reviewer said. “Well maintained. Upgraded pool. Not very busy. Nice gazebo for parties and reunions. Surrounding areas is a little questionable.”
Cabbagetown Park
Cabbagetown Park is a major green space in its namesake neighborhood. While it’s not a large park, it packs a punch with a children’s playground, sculptures and plenty of room to run around.
“Cool neighborhood park,” one reviewer said. “Perfect for a quiet afternoon of reading or chilling with kids/dogs. The sitting area under the big tree is very shaded for those hot days. Walk over to Sweet Cheats for coffee and something sweet.”
Maddox Park
Situated on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, Maddox Park is a hot location due to its inclusion in the Beltline designs. Want easy access? Maddox Park is conveniently located across from the Bankhead MARTA Station.
Here’s what one reviewer said: “With the train station being literally at the park, the industrial ambiance is quite relaxing, if you ask me. The Marta train station is located across the street. Thankfully, a pavilion is close in distance to cool off at & is perfect for hosting parties. The basketball court is gated and filled with great street players. There is also a gated pool with a kiddie umbrella water area. The only thing I dislike is the lack of parking spaces in front of the parks community building.”
Got any other ATL parks to add to the list? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Explore Atlanta At Your Own Pace
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. Downtown Atlanta or Midtown often has something cool going on!
Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit to a craft brewery in the city.
Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
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