I feel like I have been banging this place out (really talking about it) to anyone that cares since the time I found out about it. I first peeped it at the beginning of April, when my brother, his girlfriend, my childhood friend Maria, and myself went for ice-cream at Jake's Ice-cream on Irwin St. in Atlanta. I was really fascinated by the path right next to the ice-cream shop that led to God knows where - I would eventually find out where it led, but at that point, fascination just overwhelmed me! OK, right... it's just a path. This path though, was really intriguing for the mere fact that all active lifestyle lovers alike were out on that Sunday afternoon, traversing the path. All colors, all kinds of groups, all ages, in really cool activewear and accessories (bikes, skateboards, shoes). It was a nice and harmonious sight for those that feign after aesthetics, like myself. <---- also, being that I had just returned from being out of the country, it was even the more fascinating to me to see something "new" about the Atlanta I had left behind.
(I would later find out that it's not so new...it's been in existence since 2005, but I guess I am just the one that is more adult & residential enough to know about it now, haha)
So what is this Atlanta Beltline that you speak of, funms?
According to a National Public Radio special, it was a project conceived by a Georgia Tech Masters student (Ryan Gravel, you deserve an honourable mention) via his 1999 thesis.
I think those were the key bits I took from that special. So naturally, I did a bit more of an in-depth investigation:
It's a 22-mile multi-use trail that connects parks, communities, and green-space. It is meant as an alternative to other modes of transportation, and was once a railway corridor around the core of Atlanta, GA. It is also home to artwork that literally enhances ones Beltline experience, no matter your intended purpose of use.
The plans for this Beltline are greater than what it is now, even though I am personally of the opinion that it's already beyond stellar: there are plans for expansion, plans to design a streetcar alongside it, and plans for the redevelopment of a lot of acres of land. It is safe to say that communities are being transformed by this single undertaking.
It's also underpinned by a lot of big non-profits, stakeholders, and movers and shakers of Atlanta -- I mean, $18 million in funding in 2013? It is in good hands, no need to check with Allstate. haha.
Now, on to my experience!
I have been chanced to grace the Beltline on four different occasions. The first time being with my friend Shade (the 'Best of Atlanta' photo from the first post of this series can be found along the Beltline).
The second time with a friend when we got Jake's Ice-cream and walked and talked along the path, ice-cream in hand. The Ponce City Market is conveniently located along the Beltline as well, so we made a stop and got some food there (separate blog post on the Markets of Atlanta, soon come). The person I was with really enjoyed his Beltline experience (icecream, walk, food at PCM, et al.), since he couldn't stop talking about it thereafter, haha.
The third time,
Oh and a fourth time today, June 8: I had to drop something off near the Freedom Park area, so I made a stop by the Jimmy Carter Library - only to realize that the Beltline is a neighbor to this area. Inman Park to be more specific. I parked my car on the street near Freedom Park, and as I was walking to the "Welcome to Inman Park" sign, I saw a path that looked quite similar to that of the Beltline's...come to find out, that it was!
My experience? Nothing but a good, peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing time on these four different occasions. As one can see, the Beltline is multi-faceted and caters to a plethora of needs, be it food, athletics, date night, family day/night, and what ever else might bring you a bit closer to happiness, relaxation, peace of mind.
I look forward to visiting the Beltline again, whether it is for hanging with friends, exercising on it, or simply running in to it (literally haha)!
The Beltline is simply the best because of its connectivity, academic progenation, and art.
For more information, visit www.beltline.org
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| Beltline entrance via Piedmont Park area |
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| Jake's Icecream is Beltline entrance point via Irwin St. |
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| Old Fourth Ward Park. |
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| The blogger pose had to happen. Just had to. |
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| Food on the Beltline. |
next up on the blog: Atlantic Station.
Bola x
Yeen Know?: Atlanta was founded entirely to meet the needs of railroads, being the first American city to be located at a place that was not significant of water navigation circa 1837.
(source: u-s-history.com)
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