Historic Fourth Ward Park

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Located in a lowland area, the urban watershed of the Clear Creek Basin that sits at the heart of Atlanta’s historic Fourth Ward was subject to intermittent flooding and sewer overflows during storm events. To address this problem, the City initially planned to fix the sewer overflow problem by laying more pipe via a tunnel extension of the sewer system. But then came the idea to transform a blighted industrial lowland into urban greenspace with stormwater control features and green infrastructure designed as a beautiful public park.

We were hired to plan and execute the design for the first 5 acres of the Historic Fourth Ward Park, which included the stormwater detention pond and surrounding aesthetic features. With stormwater flowing into the pond from its four sides, we designed distinct artistic features for each side, including a step down channel, a water wall with sculptural elements, a tunnel to bring water into the pond, and subsurface water discharges into a dry stream bed. The park was the first component of what will be a 22-mile BeltLine Greenway, described as the most comprehensive economic development effort ever undertaken in Atlanta.

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Awards

Finalist (2020)
Urban Open Space Awards
Urban Land Institute
Honor Award (2019)
Research Category
American Society of Landscape Architects, Georgia Chapter
Sustainability Impact (2015)
Redevelopment & Renewal Awards
National Brownfield Association
Sustainability Impact (2014)
Redevelopment & Renewal Awards
National Brownfield Association
Overall Excellence in Smart Growth (2013)
Innovation and Achievement in Sustainability
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Recognition (2013)
September - Frontline Park
CityParksBlog.org
Project of the Year Award (2013)
Awards of Excellence
Urban Land Institute
Development of Excellence Award (2012)
Atlanta Regional Commission and Livable Communities Coalition
Merit Award (2012)
General Design Category
American Society of Landscape Architects, Georgia Chapter
Engineering Excellence Award (2011)
Engineering Excellence Awards
American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia
Award of Excellence (2011)
Parks and Landscape Design
Atlanta Urban Design Commission
Honor Award (2011)
Engineering Excellence Awards
American Council of Engineering Companies
Honor Award (2009)
Analysis and Planning
American Society of Landscape Architects, Georgia Chapter