Sports

Piedmont Park Receives Financial Donation, New Fitness Equipment

With the recent contribution to the Piedmont Park Conservancy's Breaking New Ground closure campaign, PPC now needs only $484,000 before Phase 1 construction of an ultimate 53-acre expansion can be completed.

Piedmont Park Conservancy has announced its latest enhancement to historic Piedmont Park with the installation of new fitness equipment to the Active Oval, Atlanta’s busiest sports fields.

The purchase and installation of the equipment was made possible by a generous donation from the Mary Alice & Bennett Brown Foundation.   

"We are thrilled to enhance our fitness offerings in the Active Oval," said Conservancy President & CEO Yvette Bowden in a release. "Providing more opportunities for accessible, free fitness is directly in line with our mission to preserve and enhance the Park experience for all."

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In addition to the donation of fitness equipment, the Mary Alice & Bennett Brown Foundation also made a contribution to the Conservancy’s Breaking New Ground closure campaign. That portion of their donation leverages the Kendeda Fund’s generous challenge grant, which matches gifts to Piedmont Park Conservancy on a $1 for $1 basis up to $1M.

The Conservancy now needs only $484,000 before Phase 1 construction of an ultimate 53-acre expansion can be completed. The future Piedmont Commons site in the expanded area of Piedmont Park will include path and trail lighting, footbridges along Orme and Clear Creeks, a mulch trail through a 3-acre hardwood forest and three additional pedestrian entrances to the park.

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"Our family loves Piedmont Park and all it has to offer. We find ourselves inside the park several times a week: playing bocce, cycling, running, attending events...there is always something to enjoy under the beautiful canopy of trees and in nature,” said Charlotte Dixon of the Mary Alice & Bennett Brown Foundation. “The Foundation Trustees and I are excited to be a part of Piedmont's evolution and expansion of FREE fitness offerings for the entire community. The Kendeda challenge grant was a motivator and I hope other donors follow suit."

And Bowden: “We are anxious to get back to work and fulfill the promise of the Master Plan to enhance Piedmont Park. As soon as we hit that number, we will mobilize.”

Completed Phase 1 additions and enhancements include Legacy Fountain and the Promenade, the wetlands, a re-naturalized Clear Creek, basketball courts, bocce courts, the new aquatic center, the Greystone event facility, an expanded dog park and new lawns.

Donations to Piedmont Park Conservancy can be made at www.piedmontpark.org. All gifts made through the end of the year will be matched by a grant from the Kendeda Fund.


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