Atlanta knows how to build barriers

Barricades. Police. Private security. Temporary fencing. “No Parking” signs. Blocked streets.

During major events at Piedmont Park, like this past weekend’s Atlanta Jazz Festival, we put all of this in place because thousands of people want to come to the city’s most popular park, but we have not built a transportation system that truly invites them in.

That is the problem.

Piedmont Park should not function like a private club surrounded by defensive infrastructure every time Atlanta hosts a major public event. It should be easy to reach without needing to drive, pay extortion-level parking fees, or spill into nearby neighborhoods.

Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden draw more than 3 million visitors per year, more than 75% of which arrive by car.

Beltline rail would help change that.

It would connect people to parks, festivals, neighborhoods, MARTA, jobs, restaurants, and home without making every trip a car trip.

A welcoming city does not just tell people where they cannot park.

It builds ways for people to arrive. It connects them to the rest of Atlanta and provides that connection without the need for a car.

Finish the trail. Keep the green. Build the rail. 🚊🚊