 FAQ's
- What is Historic Fourth Ward Park Phase I and the Clear Creek Capacity Relief Project?
- What are some of the key benefits of this project?
- Where is the Park located?
- When will Historic 4th Ward Park Phase I be available for public use?
- What are the normal hours of operation?
- What are the access points for the project?
- What should I do in case of emergency? What is the service address for this project for 911 purposes?
- Is there a parking lot?
- Is the lake holding sanitary sewer water?
- Some detention basins are designed to go dry after a rain event. Will this happen to this pond?
- What happens if there’s a large/heavy rain event and people are in the park?
- Will there be any odors associated with operation of the Clear Creek Capacity Relief Project?
- Is this project ADA accessible?
- Is it safe to enter the water?
- Can I fall into the water?
- During the evenings/daylight savings time how will this area be lit?
- In case of a fire, where is the nearest fire hydrant for the ATL fire department?
- Can this facility be used for weddings, concerts, etc.
- What is Historic Fourth Ward Park Phase I and the Clear Creek Capacity Relief Project?
Historic Fourth Ward Park Phase I is a five‐acre park in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. It will be part of a larger 17‐acre park scheduled to open in spring 2011. Located in close proximity to downtown and adjacent to the Atlanta BeltLine, the park is well positioned to serve neighborhood residents as well as visitors from around the city and the region. Construction began in August 2009. The completion of Phase I marks a significant milestone in the development of the Atlanta BeltLine. A grand opening ceremony for Phases I and II will be held in late spring 2011.
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., on behalf of the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM), managed the construction of the project, including a detention basin, or lake, which is the central visual amenity of Historic Fourth Ward Park. This two‐acre lake serves as a striking aesthetic feature while helping the City to meet Federal Consent Decree requirements. Construction on this project was completed more than $5 million under budget.
The Trust for Public Land made the initial land acquisitions necessary for the project and ongoing philanthropic support through the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Capital Campaign has been vital to additional land acquisition, design and development of the park. In addition, property owners and community members have formed the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy to provide additional ongoing maintenance, programs and amenities for the Park.
- What are some of the key benefits of this project?
Initially, DWM had intended to address sanitary sewer overflow problems in the Old Fourth Ward area of the Clear Creek Combined Sewer Basin by constructing an extension/spur to a nearby CSO tunnel. However, with construction of the detention pond, the City is reclaiming what was once the original “Clear Creek” and creating a centerpiece for the future park at a materials cost savings of about $26 million which is lower than the cost of the tunnel extension. Therefore the pond project not only creates a functional, creative and sustainable feature for the neighborhood but also a cost savings to the City. More importantly by detaining stormwater flows for a 100‐year storm event, this pond will address capacity relief problems in the overall 800‐acre drainage basin and reduce the peak flow capacity of the Highland Avenue Combined Sewer Trunk to which it discharges.
- Where is the Park located?
Nestled in Council District 2 and NPU M, the park is one block south of City Hall East and is bordered by Morgan St. on the north, Rankin Street on the south, Edith St. on the east and Garden Park Drive on the west.
- When will Historic 4th Ward Park Phase I be available for public use?
The stormwater basin became fully operational in November 2010. However, full build‐out of Phase I is expected to be complete in February 2011. A grand opening for Phases I and II of Historic Fourth
Ward Park will be held in late spring 2011 – check events.BeltLine.org for event details or sign up for the Atlanta BeltLine’s e‐newsletter at www.BeltLine.org.
- What are the normal hours of operation?
The park will have standard park operation hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- What are the access points for the project?
The public can enter the project from entrance points along Morgan St., Rankin St., Dallas St. and Edith St. Access has been provided via lower and upper walkways, a boardwalk and elevated walkway.
- What should I do in case of emergency? What is the service address for this project for 911 purposes?
In case of emergency, call 911 immediately. The address of the park is 680 Dallas Street, Atlanta, GA 30308.
- Is there a parking lot?
To utilize the available land for greenspace and the stormwater detention project, there will not be a parking lot. However, on‐street parking is available along North Angier Ave., Morgan St., Garden Park Drive, Dallas St., and Rankin St.
- Is the lake holding sanitary sewer water?
No. The permanent pool elevation of the pond comes from natural groundwater. The pond has also been designed to detain only rain water after a storm event. Twenty‐four to 48 hours after a storm event, the rain water recedes by slowly discharging into the Highland Avenue Combined Sewer trunk. Additionally, should the trunk fill up, the lake has been retrofitted so the flow will not re‐enter the basin.
- Some detention basins are designed to go dry after a rain event. Will this happen to this pond?
No. This lake will maintain a permanent pool elevation of water so that the scenic view will remain intact for park visitors.
- What happens if there’s a large/heavy rain event and people are in the park?
The pond is designed to capture flow in the immediate area if there’s a very heavy rainfall. In that respect if a 100‐year storm was ever experienced, the lower walkway would be completely covered. The public is encouraged to leave the area of the lake during such events.
- Will there be any odors associated with operation of the Clear Creek Capacity Relief Project?
The lake has a fountain aeration system located in the southern half of the lake. The project also includes two other engineered water features to help recirculate water in the pond. With these systems in place, there should be no odors associated with the system’s operation.
- Is this project ADA accessible?
Yes. There is an ADA ramp which begins at the intersection of Garden Park Drive and Morgan Street and continues around the entire lower perimeter of the pond.
- Is it safe to enter the water?
People should not enter the water. The water in the lake is not suitable for swimming or consumption.
- Can I fall into the water?
To discourage the possibility of falling into the water, several precautions have gone into the planning and design of the surrounding area. The permanent pool elevation of water is surrounded by various “prickly” landscaped plantings with the intent to discourage children and small pets from going into the water. There is also barrier and cable railing along the upper and lower walkways.
- During the evenings/daylight savings time how will this area be lit?
Energy efficient LED lighting has been installed that provides excellent visibility at night, enhancing the beauty and security of the park. The lights will be on during all nighttime hours and are set to a timer that is synched to the exact sunset and sunrise hours of each day of the year.
- In case of a fire, where is the nearest fire hydrant for the ATL fire department?
There are fire hydrants at the northeast corners of Morgan St. and Dallas St. at North Angier Ave. and along Garden Park Dr.
- Can this facility be used for weddings, concerts, etc.?
For information regarding public reservations, please contact the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 404.546.6757. Procedures for park reservations can be found online here: http://atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=250
|
Most of our communications happen on the H4WPC Facebook page. Join us there for the latest news, photos, videos and more...