On Tuesday, October 27, Mayor Andre Dickens joined residents, community leaders and park advocates in the Ben Hill neighborhood to celebrate the opening of a new ADA-compliant playground at Deerwood Park.
For years, residents wanted to replace the park’s aging playground with a space where children of all abilities could play together. After years of community advocacy, that vision is now a reality.
From the “Lost Park” to a Neighborhood Win
Deerwood Park spans 17 acres in Southwest Atlanta and has long been a gathering place for the Ben Hill community. Affectionately known as the “Lost Park,” the greenspace is receiving renewed attention thanks to residents who refused to give up on its potential.
About four years ago, neighbors began organizing around improvements to the park, with an accessible playground at the top of their list.
The project gained momentum through partnerships with the Friends of Deerwood Park, Park Pride, Breedlove Land Planning and the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
Design planning began in 2025, with funding support championed by then-District 11 Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet, now Atlanta City Council President. The City also allocated $500,000 in millage funds toward the project.
District 11 Councilmember Wayne Martin helped carry the project across the finish line.
A Park Built for Everyone
The new playscape provides an accessible environment designed to bring children of different abilities together through play.
The improvements are also part of a larger commitment to ensuring Atlanta families have access to quality parks and greenspace, no matter their neighborhood.
Mayor Dickens, who grew up in Southwest Atlanta, recognized the Ben Hill community’s determination to make the project happen and the importance of investing in neighborhood spaces where families can gather.
The ribbon cutting celebrated more than a new playground. It marked the results of years of residents speaking up, building partnerships and working with the City to improve a park they love.
