A Westside biking destination that Atlanta Beltline officials say will be unlike anything else in Georgia—and like very few places in this part of the country—is days from breaking ground. 

Clyde Higgs, Beltline CEO and president, and other dignitaries are scheduled to lead a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the first phase of Bike Park at Shirley C. Franklin Park (formerly Westside Park; also formerly Shirley Clarke Franklin Park; alternately “Franklin Park”).  

The Beltline’s goal is to make the city’s first bike park a “world-class” attraction, and construction crews from The American Ramp Company with special expertise are being brought in to ensure its quality. 

Nearly all of phase one’s cost is being covered by an $8-million donation from The Chestnut Family Foundation, a child-focused charity started by Mailchimp cofounder Ben Chestnut, an avid mountain biker.

Beltline officials announced today the bike park’s initial phase will have a 304-day construction timeline, meaning it should be completed this fall, roughly in late November. (Fun fact: MARTA’s Bankhead station is located on the other side of the park, roughly 1.5 miles away, meaning the bike park will technically be transit-connected for cyclists across Atlanta.)   

Visuals shared during a recent ABI project update meeting showing examples of infrastructure planned for the park. Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Challenging course features and an architectural section that echoes the park's existing "ribcage" gateway. Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Inc.

The initial phase calls for a bicycle playground for beginners, a skills course for riders of all ages and abilities, and an asphalt pump track for agility, balance, and jumping. (Think of a skatepark, but for various types of bikes and scooters.) It’ll take shape near an existing parking lot in a northern corner of the 280-acre greenspace, which debuted its first section and massive reservoir in 2021.  

“By putting the park at Franklin Park,” Beltline officials relayed today, “it brings the sport of cycling to people in the historically underserved Grove Park, Westview, and Bankhead neighborhoods and is open to everyone in the region.”

The full bike park is expected to be built in two phases, spanning roughly 45 acres with some of the area’s highest elevations. 

An overview of all phases planned at Bike Park at Shirley C. Franklin Park with a legend. Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Partnership

Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Beyond the manmade courses, the Beltline’s plans call for 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails next door, ranging from beginner greens to expert gravity trails. Worming around those routes will be a trail for hikers where mountain bikes are forbidden.  

During a construction update meeting in late 2025, Beltline officials said all phases of the bike park have been designed, including large plazas, but no construction timeline beyond phase one is set. Fundraising has begun for all future components of the park, expected to cost roughly another $9 million. 

During that meeting, Beltline officials said roughly a half-mile of new hiking options will be included in phase one construction. 

Find more context and imagery in the gallery above. 

Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Inc.

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