🌳Parks & Greenspace

🌳 Greenspace for All

As your next City Councilmember for District 12, I believe that access to safe, clean, and vibrant parks is a fundamental right—not a luxury. Parks are where communities grow stronger, children play, seniors stay active, and families connect. Our greenspaces are vital to both our environment and our quality of life.

District 12 deserves a comprehensive, community-first approach to parks and greenspace that prioritizes:

  • Equity – Every neighborhood deserves high-quality parks.

  • Health – Parks promote physical activity, reduce stress, and improve mental health.

  • Climate Resilience – Trees and greenspaces reduce flooding, lower temperatures, and clean our air.

  • Economic Growth – Well-maintained parks raise property values and support local businesses.

1. Equitable Park Access

  • Ensure that every resident lives within a 10-minute walk of a safe, clean, and well-lit park.

  • Expand greenspace access in under-resourced areas such as Perkerson, Cleveland Ave, Joyland, Polar Rock, and Hammond Park.

  • Partner with ATL Parks & Rec and Park Pride to acquire and develop land for pocket parks and community gardens.

2. Maintenance and Safety First

  • Increase funding for park maintenance, trash removal, and lighting.

  • Improve ADA accessibility and ensure our parks are welcoming to seniors and residents with disabilities.

  • Work with APD and neighborhood groups to implement community-led safety initiatives, including patrols and better lighting.

3. Community-Led Design & Stewardship

  • Launch a “People’s Park Plan” process—community workshops to shape the design, features, and programming of parks.

  • Offer funding and training for “Friends of the Park” groups to maintain and activate public spaces with events, markets, and more.

4. Green Infrastructure & Sustainability

  • Protect and expand our district’s tree canopy, especially around industrial corridors and transit lines.

  • Install green stormwater infrastructure (rain gardens, bioswales) to reduce flooding in low-lying areas.

  • Incentivize urban agriculture and community gardens on vacant lots.

5. Jobs and Youth Engagement

  • Create a “Green Jobs Corps” to train and hire youth and returning citizens for park upkeep, tree planting, and trail building.

  • Support after-school and summer programming in parks to keep youth engaged and safe.