Kids of Atlanta have an exceptionally awesome new reason to get off the couch, stop squabbling with their siblings, and put the electronic devices away.

Following six months of construction, a new $1-million playground debuted this month in Candler Park that project leaders say raises the bar in terms of functional, climbable, slide-able structures in the city. (And we thought Chastain Park’s might stand as the ATL Playland Mount Olympus forever.)

According to the Candler Park Conservancy, the Perkins + Will-designed playground boasts the longest hill slides in Atlanta, in addition to a sky-high webbed climbing tower, shade sails, a mountainous stack of boulders for climbing or sitting, and smaller stuff for tykes.

An early rendering (an accurate one, at that) for the Candler Park project. Candler Park Conservancy

Slides and massive stacks of boulders/steps built into a Candler Park hillside. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Revised landscaping and a new water fountain and bottle-filler round out the greenspace project, which was unveiled earlier this month in time for the Candler Park Fall Festival.

The project replaces a 20-year-old playground with dated equipment that was demolished last spring. (The author, in fact, once received a tremendous black eye from helping a child across the old playground’s heavy, swinging, metal trapeze rings—and taking the equivalent of a punch to the face.)

The conservancy describes the upgraded playground as “a go-to place for children across the city and beyond to play and explore” that’s designed to last for decades.

Scope of the $1-million playground project as seen during the Candler Park Fall Festival. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Towering climbing and slide structure at the center of the playground renovation. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Donations helped cover the playground’s $1 million cost. Agencies such as Park Pride, The Waterfall Foundation, Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, in addition to the Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation and the Atlanta Bond Fund are cited as contributors to the project.

Head up to the gallery for a closer look—no chaperone required.

...

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  

• Candler Park news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)