City officials have taken a step this week toward converting a lake-dotted urban forest in Southwest Atlanta into a public-accessible, greenspace jewel. 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' office today announced the acquisition of a 50-acre property called Tatum Lakes west of downtown that’s part of “one of the city’s most ecologically significant landscapes,” according to an announcement.

Plans call for converting the forest—loosely bounded by Boulder Park Drive and Dollar Mill and Bakers Ferry roads—into a nature preserve and public park called the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve. 

The property is situated roughly two miles outside the Interstate 285 Perimeter, about four miles from Six Flags Over Georgia. It includes roughly 4 acres of lakes and wetlands, all surrounded by a mature forest of oak, pine, and hickory, per the city.  

The Tatum Lakes site in relation to I-285, Six Flags Over Georgia, and other landmarks. Google Maps

According to city officials, the creation of Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve will be guided by community input and will focus on protecting sensitive habitats while implementing low-impact trails and amenities to expand access to outdoor recreation. The forest today provides important ecosystem services for the city such as stormwater management, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat. 

City officials used Tree Trust conservation funds to buy the Tatum Lakes property. The Department of Parks and Recreation will manage its stewardship long-term, and city officials plan to pursue federal funding to support master-planning and initial capital improvements. 

We’ve asked city media representatives for information on the property’s purchase price. This article will be updated with any additional details that come. 

Rough overview of the 50 acres in question bounded by Boulder Park Drive and Dollar Mill and Bakers Ferry roads. Google Maps

The Tatum Lakes project aligns with Dickens’ Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, an effort to uplift and strengthen historically underserved neighborhoods in Atlanta, per the city. 

“This project is personal to me—as a kid growing up in Adamsville, I passed these lakes every day going to school, DPR recreation centers for afterschool activities, and pretty much any place I was headed to or from,” Dickens noted in today’s announcement. “Acquiring the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve ensures this greenspace will be protected for generations to enjoy.” 

Andrea L. Boone, District 10 councilmember, said the property “has always been a shared point of pride for my [district] constituents and all who call Adamsville home.”

The acquisition is "a transformative investment in Southwest Atlanta,” added Justin Cutler, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner. “Tatum Lakes will protect vital ecological resources and provide safe, sustainable access to nature for thousands of residents. Our master plan will ensure this preserve remains a natural treasure for decades to come.” 

The future Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve site west of downtown Atlanta. Google Maps

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