Parks and Rec: Atlanta's Outdoor Urban Environment
July 20, 1967: Letter from Department of Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant to Director of Housing at Atlanta Housing Authority about the urgent need for a footbridge across Proctor Creek to the in-progress Gun Club Park site for the benefit of the Perry Homes community. The Parks Department presents a detailed rationale and plan for completion of the footbridge and claims it is the Housing Authority's responsibility to proceed with its construction.
Highlight: "We would first like to point out that this footbridge would not serve the park. On the contrary, the footbridge would serve the people of Perry Homes."
July 21, 1967: Letter from General Manager of Parks and Recreation Department to a Mr. Dillon Winship Jr. regarding his suggestion about the use of "worn out tractors as a play object for children" within city playgrounds. The city official describes his appreciation of the idea and offers an interpretation of how such plans would be perceived in "disadvanted [sic] areas."
Highlight: "We have been considering for several weeks of acquiring an antiquated jet fighter plane..."
August 9, 1967: Letter from General Manager of Parks and Recreation Department to Mayor Ivan Allen concerning the removal of bricks from the landscaping around trees in the downtown area.
Highlight: "...to eliminate the possibility of the bricks being used as ammunition in the event of a riot."
October 4, 1967: Letter from General Manager of Parks and Recreation Department to Director of Housing at Atlanta Housing Authority about the need for a pedestrian footbridge over Proctor Creek from the Perry Homes community to the proposed Gun Club Park site.
Highlight: "We are most afraid that many of the children will attempt to ford the creek and this could result in some tragedies."
October 11, 1967: Memorandum from General Manager of Parks and Recreation to Parks Engineer and Assistant Parks Engineer regarding the potential construction of a footbridge over Proctor Creek to allow access to the planned Gun Club Park from the Perry Homes community.
Highlight: "...concerning the now famous footbridge across Proctor Creek..."
October 17, 1967: Memorandum from General Manager of Parks and Recreation to Parks Engineer following up about proposed footbridge over Proctor Creek by Perry Homes.
Highlight: "...to cross Proctor Creek in order to make Gun Club Park Site readily accessible to portions of Perry Homes Housing Project."
February 11, 1969: "Minutes of Aldermanic Parks Meeting" containing five pages of summarized events from the meeting including a request to hold rock 'n' roll shows at a city park building, a request to have a horse on city land, heating problems in the Reptile House at the zoo, discountining "boy/girl" events sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department in the Morningside School area, discussion of placement of a Civil War memorial marker in majority black communities, and praise for the City Arborist.
Highlight: "[T]he arborist seems to be very tactful in approaching citizens and yet is protective of the trees as well."
February 12, 1969: Letter from General Manager of Parks and Recreation to Chairman of the Downtown Beautification Committee about the selection and proper maintenance of trees in downtown Atlanta, including the hiring of a new City Arborist.
Highlight: "I have every reason to think we will have a successful tree program for the downtown core."
May 1969: Letter from an Ivan H. Smith to Mayor Ivan Allen concerning skinny dipping in the lake at Piedmont Park.
Highlight: "[They] may have been two long haired hippies..."
May 26, 1969: Letter from a retired Brigadier General to Mayor Ivan Allen complaining about trash around the lake in Piedmont Park.
Highlight: "'American the Beautiful': is that a laugh!"
May 29, 1969: Mayor Ivan Allen's response to Ivan H. Smith's complaint about nude swimming in Piedmont Park.
Highlight: "[I] am personally going to Piedmont Park and investigate the situation."
June 27, 1969: Memorandum between two city officials regarding the history of a city-owned lot (likely in Summerhill, where Richardson St SE and Connally St SE intersect) inspected for development as a playlot. The memo describes a unique interaction between the woman who had utilizing the lot and Jack Delius, the General Manager of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Highlight: "In the late 1800's the lot had been used as a dump for 'night soil.'"
September 3, 1969: Letter from City Arborist to Mayor Ivan Allen about halting construction in an area of North Atlanta in order to protect tree foliage.
Highlight: "In our effort to save street tree beauty throughout the City of Atlanta, we feel that this action will greatly help the situation."
October 6, 1969: Memorandum from Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Atlanta to Mayor Ivan Allen regarding list of proposed uses for $100,000 anonymous donation to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Highlight: "A focal point such as the St. Louis Arch. Atlanta's could be an artistic conception of the 'Phoenix Rising' as is depicted on the Seal."
December 1, 1969: Letter from General Manager of Parks and Recreation to a Miss Grace Kelley responding to her request to improve a tract of land on the southeast corner of North Highland Ave NE and Washita Ave NE (which is now the site of homes directly across from the Freedom Park Trail and Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum).
Highlight: "Beautification is our business..."
July 25, 1969: Letter from the Community Relations Commission to Mayor Ivan Allen summarizing complaints from citizens at recent town hall meetings in "disadvantaged areas" of Atlanta. Of particular note in this document is "Supplement 'A'" regarding the concerns of the community at Perry Homes in Northwest Atlanta adjacent to Proctor Creek. "Supplement 'A'" refers to concerns related to transportation, recreation, access to necessary stores, Atlanta Housing Authority issues, and Proctor Creek pollution.
Highlight: "3 complaints......rats."