By Sandra Petersen
At 268 acres, Chastain Park is the largest of
Atlanta's public parks. A Creek Indian village, segregated almshouses, a convict camp and a work farm previously occupied parts of the land which is now Chastain Park.
Geography
Chastain Park is a wedge-shaped park in the northwest part of Atlanta, Georgia. Powers Ferry Road forms the park's western border, while the eastern border is framed by Lake Forrest Drive. West Wieuca Road bisects the park into a northern and a southern section. Nancy Creek cuts across the southern third of the park. The neighborhoods of Buckhead and Sandy Springs are nearby.
History
Troy G. Chastain was a Fulton County commissioner from 1938 to 1942 and was instrumental in promoting public parks in Atlanta. He is also the man from whom the park got its name in 1946. The land was originally set aside in 1933 and called North Fulton Park. The golf course in the park was built in 1934 and opened the next year. The Chastain Park pool was built in 1942. The construction of the amphitheater in 1944 and the horse stables in 1945 followed despite World War II. In 1952, ownership of the amphitheater passed into the hands of the city of Atlanta.
Events
Concert at the amphitheater
The Chastain Park Civic Association initiated the Chastain Chill concerts, which are presented weekly from May to October near the playground. These are free live music events. Since 1973, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has promoted Delta Classic concerts in the park's large outdoor amphitheater from April to October. These concerts require paid admission. Audience members may either sit at a table or bring a blanket to sit on the lawn. The Chastain Park Arts Festival is on a weekend in mid-October.
Features
The northern section of the park is where the non-golfing public finds facilities for several activities. The amphitheater, parking lots, food concession, children's playground, 13-acre horse park, gymnasium, nine tennis courts, five ball fields, two baseball fields, swimming pool, gymnasium and Chastain Arts and Crafts Center are located here. The 18-hole North Fulton Golf Course dominates the southern part of the park.
Trails
Bike path map
Hikers, bikers and rollerbladers can enjoy the 3.4 miles of asphalt trail that border the eastern and southern edges of the park. This trail is part of the Atlanta-DeKalb Trail System and has four small bridges along its course. There is also a 2.7 mile trail loop. The four park restrooms as well as a place to get water are in the northern part of the park.
Resources
About the Author:
For almost four years, Sandra Petersen has written fiction stories and non-fiction articles for sites like FaithWriters, Associated Content, Helium, Textbroker, and Triond as well as Demand Studios. Petersen attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior and earned her Bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in music education.
