Since launching in 2021, FoSP has made beautification of our three neighborhood parks, Ellsworth, Springlake and McKinley Wilson “Triangle” Park our focus. In 2022-2023, with neighbors’ generous donations, we redesigned and completed renovation of Triangle Park.
A New Ellsworth Playground
This project will involve replacing the playground and groundcover, regrading the site to make it more accessible to all, re-leveling the lower grassy area for better recreational use, updating infrastructure (seating, picnic tables, fence gates) and refreshing landscaping.
With landscape architect Patrick Hand of Integrated Land Design, we developed the proposed design presented at right.
Click on the image of the design to see a larger version.
The proposed design:
Replaces the current main wooden playground structure with a new “nature play” structure that is similar in “look and feel,” and replaces the current “boat” with a new spinning climbing net.
Creates new rock climbing walls surrounding the new main play structure, taking advantage of the differences in grade.
Adds a “hammock” swing in its own area beneath the main playlet, overlooking the park to create a more casual hangout.
Keeps the current swing set, but replaces the swings, and incorporates more accessible swings.
Beneath the swings, builds out a new boulder wall featuring a slide.
Features a single park path (ADA compliant) that traverses the 29 foot vertical drop from the top to the bottom of the park, improving park safety and accessibility considerably for those with disabilities, seniors, and parents with children in strollers or on bikes.
Adds in new 18 inch seating walls in a variety of places in the park, abutting the new path, and making it easier for parents and guardians to sit near a variety of play spaces.
Reopens the two entrance gates that are currently soldered shut, improving park accessibility and safety.
Adds three new picnic tables, which will be sited under the large tree, the roots of which will be entirely covered in new wood chips.
Replaces the ground cover throughout with new wood chips.
Budget & Fundraising
The estimated budget for this redesign is considerable ($500k+), due primarily to the difficult topography requiring site regrading for safety, drainage and accessibility reasons.
FoSP has already begun to reach out to multiple sources in order to secure the funds needed to complete this project. As you may know, the City of Atlanta budget for Parks and Recreation does not fully fund park restoration projects, so Friends of the Park Groups work with Park Pride, elected officials and other entities (nonprofits, corporate donors) to secure funding. Neighbors also play a vital role in helping to raise money for their neighborhood parks.
For neighborhood fundraising, we are dividing the Ellsworth Park Playground Campaign into two phases:
2024 “Year End” Challenge to raise $100k —> Each household gives $100+
To ensure that we are eligible to receive a Park Pride capital improvement grant in 2025, we need to raise a $100k match from neighbors. Fortunately, we already have raised $57k, thanks to the $50k Springlake Civic Association gifted to FoSP under immediate past president Caldwell Zimmerman’s leadership.
To raise the remaining $43k by year end, we are asking that each of our 445 households in Springlake give $100+ to this year-end campaign (that is 43k divided by 445).
2025 Campaign —> Raise another $100k+
In 2025 we will be asking neighbors to consider giving higher dollar donations, which will be recognized with engraved messages on infrastructure in the new park. Click here for a list of donation levels and public recognition opportunities.