For generations, Chastain Park has been where Atlanta comes together, to exercise, celebrate, play, and enjoy the outdoors. Soon, thanks to years of community planning and extraordinary philanthropic support, the Park will welcome an entirely new experience focused on nature, exploration, and quiet connection.
The Chastain Park Conservancy is excited to share that more than $12 million has been raised toward the Palisades Project, leaving just $1 million to reach our fundraising goal. Construction is expected to begin on November 1, marking a major milestone in one of the most significant improvements to Chastain Park in decades. The expected construction timeline will be 12 – 16 months.
The Palisades Project is the result of the 2025 Chastain Park Comprehensive Plan Update, developed through extensive public engagement and approved by the Atlanta City Council. Throughout the planning process, one message was heard consistently: our community wanted more passive greenspace, places to walk, explore, reflect, and connect with nature. The Palisades Project brings that vision to life.
Designed by the nationally recognized landscape architecture and planning firm Lord Aeck Sargent and to be constructed by SG Contracting, the project will transform approximately 30 acres of underutilized natural landscape into one of Atlanta’s most distinctive public greenspaces.
When complete, visitors will enjoy:
- A scenic one-mile trail system winding through mature forest
- A native tree arboretum celebrating Georgia’s diverse landscape
- A natural play space where children can explore and discover through imaginative outdoor play
- An outdoor native plant garden showcasing the beauty and ecological value of Georgia’s flora
- Scenic overlooks and breathtaking vistas across the golf course and Nancy Creek valley
- Environmental restoration that protects wildlife habitat and improves the health of this important natural corridor
The project also includes significant infrastructure improvements that will enhance access to this area of the Park. A new 153-foot pedestrian bridge spanning Nancy Creek will connect visitors to the Palisades, while a new entrance drive and parking area will provide convenient access to the Conservancy offices, Farm Chastain, and the new trail system.
More than a park improvement, the Palisades Project is an investment in Atlanta’s future. It creates new opportunities for environmental education, outdoor recreation, family gatherings, and peaceful moments in nature, all while preserving and enhancing one of the city’s most treasured landscapes.
Every gift made through the Gilded Trail Gala brings us closer to opening this remarkable new chapter for Chastain Park. Together, our community has accomplished something extraordinary, and with just $1 million remaining to reach our goal, we are closer than ever to making the Palisades a reality.
We look forward to breaking ground this fall and welcoming generations of Atlantans to experience this beautiful new destination in Chastain Park.
