Memorial Drive in Atlanta is getting a facelift which promises to add greenspace to one of the city’s most popular corridors.
The City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation has launched the design phase of the Memorial Drive Greenway, transforming underutilized land into a vibrant linear park from Oakland Cemetery to Downtown’s edge.
Led by Atlanta-based engineering firm Pond & Company, the project builds on the 2016 Memorial Drive Vision Plan, engaging the community to shape a sustainable, accessible greenspace.
What Is the Memorial Drive Greenway?
The Memorial Drive Greenway aims to revitalize a half-mile corridor between Memorial Drive SE and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, covering 8.5 acres.
Phase One includes schematic design for the entire park and full design, permitting, and construction for one of seven blocks. Sustainable features like stormwater management and native plantings will enhance biodiversity and public health.
Read the Memorial Drive Greenway Plan.
Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized the project’s alignment with Atlanta’s focus on sustainability and equitable access to greenspace, supporting his vision of a family-friendly city.
“Our Administration’s pillar of making Atlanta a City Built for the Future has always kept preservation and environmental sustainability at the forefront of our city’s growth and progress—which is why I created the first Greenspace Advisory Council,” Dickens said in a statement. “Every neighborhood deserves access to quality parks and greenspace, and I am eager to see this project through.”
Brent Beatty of The Friends of Memorial Drive Greenway credited community collaboration and leadership for advancing this vision.
“The long-awaited development of Memorial Drive Greenway is a powerful example of what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared vision. This project wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of our dedicated team of volunteers and stakeholders, the support of our Parks Department, the Dickens Administration and the leadership of Councilmember Bakhtiari, whose commitment helped turn this vision into reality. I’m eager to collaborate with this team to deliver a vibrant green space that will serve as a prominent corridor for the surrounding neighborhoods and historical places,” said Beatty.
The Greenway will expand access to quality parks, promoting healthier, connected communities. While the original plan included a future “cap park” over the Downtown Connector, Phase One prioritizes immediate progress.
As of August 2025, community engagement has begun as residents are invited to help shape the Greenway’s design and programming.
Final Word
The Memorial Drive Greenway is underway with a charge to transform the corridor into a beautiful park.
Grady Smith of Pond & Company underscored the project’s role in creating a lasting, community-driven legacy for East Atlanta, blending sustainability and vibrant public space.
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