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Parks & Recreation outlines summer programs, pools and urban forest work; seeks community partnerships
Summary
Commissioner Justin Cutler updated the committee on summer camps, pool openings, the summer meals program, the Atlanta Teen Leaders Academy and a multi‑year federal urban forestry grant and inventory work.
The Department of Parks and Recreation presented a quarterly update to the Community Development & Human Services Committee on May 13 outlining its summer schedule and ongoing natural‑resource work.
“...we're committed to making sure every Atlanta is within a 10‑minute walk,” Commissioner Justin Cutler said, summarizing the department’s Activate ATL goals and highlighting investments in facilities and programs.
Cutler reported operational details and program metrics: Camp Best Friends will hold its 44th annual program; the department is on track for higher summer camper counts than last year and reported more than 3,600 youth last summer. Splash pads opened May 1 and pools will begin limited openings on Memorial Day weekend with a wider rollout the following weekend; four pools (Grant Park, John A. White, Moseley and Maddox Park) opened first. The summer meals program will operate at 47 sites, including 21 recreation centers, 13 mobile sites and participating pools; the kickoff is scheduled for June 13 at Perkerson Park.
On workforce and youth development, Cutler described the Atlanta Teen Leaders Academy and associated facilities at Dunbar Recreation Center that include a print shop, music studio and small broadcast space; the academy recently placed graduates who received more than $5 million in scholarships. The department also reported hiring progress and a reduction in vacancies from 18.5% to 16% since the budget hearing.
The department is advancing natural‑resource work with a planned urban forestry master plan and a five‑year, $5 million U.S. Forest Service grant (Inflation Reduction Act funding). Staff said they will use LIDAR, drive‑by cameras and GIS to perform a street tree inventory and identify planting gaps, maintenance needs and opportunities to plant in reclaimed or remediated sites.
Cutler also identified capital projects underway, including pool resurfacing and fencing upgrades to address security and safety, and trail and park renovations. The committee asked for further details and program follow‑ups, including testing and reporting on new trail alignments under Trails ATL and additional information about teen programming and studio usage at CT Martin Recreation Center.
