The Chattahoochee River bisects the metro Atlanta region, touching 19 cities and 7 counties. Nearly 1 million people live within a 15-minute bike ride (3 miles) of the Chattahoochee. Yet, too few even know that the River exists, where it might be, or what it looks like. Like many communities all across the country, Atlanta region has done an excellent job of hiding its river behind subdivisions, golf courses, industrial complexes, airports, sewers, farms, and forests. Public places along the River are available in several northern Atlanta suburbs, but even these opportunities are often well kept secrets, requiring a locals-only knowledge to reach the Chattahoochee’s banks.
The Chattahoochee RiverLands is an initiative to introduce the metro Atlanta community to its river. Walt Ray with the Trust for Public Land will share the overarching goals of the Chattahoochee RiverLands and will outline what the big idea is: a 100-mile long public park between Buford Dam and Chattahoochee Bend State Park. He will then summarize concrete examples of where and how the RiverLands vision is already taking shape – offering first time access to the River and its banks.
Join Walt Ray, Chattahoochee Program Director, The Trust for Public Land for this fabulous talk.
Walt Ray is a landscape architect and urban planner committed to improving the community in which he lives. He recognizes the value of public dialog and consensus building in developing bold plans for the future of these communities. Walt strives to use the tools of his profession to help communities build consensus about their built and natural places.
In August of 2017, Walt was hired by the Trust for Public Land - a national non-profit organization whose motto is ‘Land for People.’ Pivoting priorities of the organization include activating greenspace - providing the types of spaces and amenities that people want to enjoy. Specifically, Walt is working to implement the Chattahoochee RiverLands – a bold vision for connected trails and greenspaces along the Chattahoochee River between Buford Dam and Chattahoochee Bend State Park. Once realized, this 100-mile long riverfront amenity will connect 19 metro Atlanta cities and 7 counties. A robust series of parks, trials, and amenities will define the metro region’s signature new amenity – and will introduce the region to the subtle magic of the Chattahoochee to all.
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