Question 1

What is the Olmsted Linear Park?

Accepted Answer

The Olmsted Linear Park is a 45-acre greenspace that acts as a greenspace buffer along Ponce de Leon Avenue from the intersection of Briarcliff Road and Moreland Avenue to the east end of N. Ponce de Leon. The park contains five linear pastoral segments and one 22-acre picturesque and old-growth forest. Starting with Springdale and proceeding through Virgilee, Oak Grove, Shadyside, Dellwood and Deepdene, visitors are taken on a natural journey that includes many elements of Atlanta’s rich, turn-of-the-century cultural history.

Question 2

What is the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance?

Accepted Answer

The Olmsted Linear Park Alliance (OLPA) was established in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. The mission of the organization is to protect and preserve the Olmsted Linear Park by engaging and educating the public to treasure and invest in the improvement of this historic, landmark asset, and to champion the teaching and legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted in creating thoughtful, well-designed greenspace to enhance urban living.

Question 3

Who is Frederick Olmsted?

Accepted Answer

Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26, 1822 – August 28, 1903) was an American landscape architect, journalist, social critic, and public administrator. He is regarded as the father of American landscape architecture. He headed the pre-eminent landscape architecture and planning consultancy of late nineteenth-century America, which was carried on and expanded by his sons, Frederick Jr and John C, under the name Olmsted Brothers. (Source: Wikipedia)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Law_Olmsted)

This park and the Druid Hills neighborhood was the last design of his remarkable career.  It is the only Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. designed community/park in the South.

Question 4

How were the park renovations funded?

Accepted Answer

Since 1997, over 10 million dollars have been raised to fund the park renovations. Engaged and passionate park enthusiasts have contributed generous gifts to help restore the park to what visitors enjoy today.  Key partners such as the Druid Hills Civic Association, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, local foundations, such as the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and The Imlay Foundation, the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and the Georgia Department of Transportation have contributed their time and resources to restoring the park.

Question 5

Where is the park located?

Accepted Answer

The park is located between the intersection of Briarcliff Road and Moreland Avenue and the east end of N. Ponce de Leon.

Question 6

Is there a parking lot?

Accepted Answer

To maximize green space there is no parking lot. On-street parking is available along South Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Question 7

How is the park maintained?

Accepted Answer

The Olmsted Linear Park is maintained by OLPA with the help of the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Departments. The City and County cut the grass and handle emergency tree work, while OLPA is responsible for all the maintenance of the grass, plant material and forest management within the park. OLPA’s efforts account for around 90% of the maintenance efforts, allowing the park to remain clean and beautiful for wildlife and people.

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