Years in the making, an eastside Atlanta park overhaul has officially kicked off this week, promising a refreshed greenspace destination before spring.  

Construction fencing and heavy equipment is moving into Bessie Branham Park—Kirkwood’s centralized, century-old greenspace—to continue a comprehensive renovation that’s touching most aspects of the park, according to Earl Williamson, of Kirkwood Neighbors Organization’s environmental committee. 

Planning and fundraising efforts to upgrade the circa-1924 park, which is spread across 7 acres at 2051 Delano Drive, have been ongoing since 2022. 

The first completed section of what’s called the Bessie Branham Park Renewal was unveiled in May during the neighborhood’s signature festival, the Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes. That entailed a renovation of the park’s historic southwest entrance, nearest to Kirkwood’s commercial village. 

Construction fencing being erected this week around Bessie Branham Park's playground, where some structures date to the 1940s. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Historical photo of the entrance in question at the century-old park, where Kirkwood and Ridgedale roads meet. Courtesy of KNO

Features of the revamped entrance include new monumental signage, landscaped areas, and a path with personalized bricks purchased by local organizations and families. 

Beyond the entrance, renovation plans for Bessie Branham Park call for ADA-accessible walkways, playground upgrades, and solutions for water runoff issues that can leave areas swampy after heavy rains, as designed by the HGOR landscape architecture firm. 

Playground updates call for modern equipment and a more accessible, engaging space overall. (Fun fact: The park’s largest swing set is considered historic in that it dates to roughly the 1940s. But according to Williamson, it no longer meets park code and is more corroded than initially thought; plans to restore the structure and relocate it are being explored.)  

Rendering for the upgraded Bessie Branham Park playground expected to open early next year. Courtesy of KNO

Overview of planned updates across the park's south end, including the existing Urban Treehouse deck shaped like the U.S. (with an Alaska satellite deck). HGOR; courtesy of KNO

At the playground, all rubber at ground level will be replaced with engineered wood fiber, and a new water fountain with three levels (for dogs, kids, and adults) will be installed, per Williamson.  

Another aspect will rebuild the park’s Urban Treehouse deck—implemented in 1994 and shaped like the United States—with durable composite materials that will preserve the deck’s uniquely state-inspired features. 

The final elements to be implemented will be a softball diamond refresh (with drainage upgrades), new pathways, and fruit tree plantings toward the western edge of the park. 

According to Williamson, construction is scheduled to take four months overall. 

Swing up to the gallery for more Bessie Branham Park Renewal context and project images. 

HGOR; courtesy of KNO

...

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  

• Kirkwood news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)