On Tuesday, July 1, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Olmsted Linear Park in the Olmsted-designed Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, GA, to celebrate the renovation of the Springdale playground and the stormwater infrastructure beneath it.
After three years of planning, fundraising, and community collaboration, the vision for a vibrant, adaptive, and nature-connected play space has become a reality. Despite the sweltering July afternoon, guests stayed cool thanks to Glacier Italian Ice, while happily exploring the new play structures.
During the ceremony, Olmsted Linear Park Alliance (OLPA) Executive Director Sandra Kruger recognized the project team, including Spencer Tunnell and Matt Sussman of Tunnell & Tunnell Landscape Architecture, Matthew Purcell of Outdoor Solutions Group, Inc., Craig Smith of KOMPAN, Inc., and Kimley-Horn, for their invaluable guidance throughout the project. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sydney Thompson, former OLPA Board Member, and her team at Pond & Co., whose early vision helped set the foundation for this project.
Thanks were also extended to the OLPA Board of Directors, the dedicated maintenance crew, and the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) staff for their continued commitment to Olmsted Linear Park.
Speakers at the event — including DPR Deputy Commissioner Rachel Maher, Park Pride President & CEO Michael Halicki, Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan, and OLPA Board President Amy Howell — echoed a shared message: community partnerships are the heartbeat of Atlanta. The success of projects like this truly “takes a village.”
OLPA expressed deep appreciation for the many partners who helped bring the project to life. Distinguished guests included Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, DeKalb County District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long-Spears, Greg Levine and Alex Beasley of Trees Atlanta, Deputy Commissioner LaShawn Dudley, and staff from Park Pride and DPR.
“We are incredibly grateful to our partners and supporters who made this renovation possible,” said Sandra Kruger, OLPA Executive Director. “This new playground reflects our shared commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive public spaces where children and families can play, learn, and grow together.”
OLPA received generous support from the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation, Park Pride Atlanta, The Waterfall Foundation, the David, Helen & Marian Woodward Fund, Chick-fil-A, City Councilmember Alex Wan, former Councilmember Jennifer Ide, Druid Hills Civic Association, and Trees Atlanta. Their shared commitment to accessible, inclusive outdoor spaces helped breathe new life into this beloved neighborhood playground.
Special appreciation goes to OLPA supporters Jon, Tina, and Sophie Hart; West and Polly Hutchison; and Mary and Fred Newman, who helped launch the fundraising campaign for this renovation.
Whether you’re a kid, a parent, or just young at heart, stop by to see the transformed southeast corner of Springdale Park. In addition to new play structures, you’ll find beautiful new plantings. Six-year-old Druid Hills resident — and unofficial OLPA “consultant” — Sophie Hart enthusiastically tested the playground equipment during the event, and Commissioner Long-Spears was even spotted on the teeter-totter (or seesaw, depending on what you call it).
Come indulge your inner child!
