For all our advantages, Atlanta ranks near the bottom of U.S. peer cities in available park land. The Atlanta BeltLine proposal increases greenspace in a connected linear system that would become, in effect, one of the nation's great regional parks.

The Atlanta BeltLine can add new greenspace, mixed-use developments and neighborhood connectivity to the city. The BeltLine will create a linear park that connects 40 of Atlanta’s parks, including more than 1,200 acres of new greenspace and improvements to approximately 700 acres of existing greenspace.

As in every great city, increased greenspace will be a major driver for economic development. Mixed-use communities will be attracted to the linear park and new park acreage. The Atlanta BeltLine's park system will be as important as its transit, streetscapes and other infrastructure in determining the location and concentration of development in our city.

Proposed Greenspaces
With the BeltLine, Atlanta has the opportunity to transform its park system.  In 2004, The Trust for Public Land commissioned internationally respected park planner Alexander Garvin to study greenspace opportunities, mile by mile, along the BeltLine corridor. Garvin's Emerald Necklace Study concluded that a connected park and trail system along the Atlanta BeltLine was achievable, and could become the first great park of the 21st Century.

The Emerald Necklace Study and significant community input helped shape the parks that are contemplated in the BeltLine Redevelopment Plan.  The greenspace detail can be found in Section 6.2.1 of the Redevelopment Plan.