Following a year and ½ of construction, an important recreational facet of growing ITP city Chamblee is days away from opening again. 

City of Chamblee officials have scheduled a ribbon-cutting and “grand reopening” festivities for Saturday, Dec. 13 at the overhauled greenspace (2301 Dresden Drive). 

At 24 acres, Dresden Park is 2 acres larger than Centennial Olympic Park downtown, tucked off Buford Highway just south of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. Integrated Construction and Nobility kicked off demolition for nearly $13 million in park upgrades in May 2024, with an initial goal of reopening the overhauled greenspace this past summer.  

The park project marks a significant investment in Chamblee's more southern reaches. Other parts of the city in recent years have seen an award-winning municipal facility take shape and a multi-use trail system grow, as developers pack in hundreds of new housing options near the city’s historic core.

Finalized masterplan for the 24-acre greenspace. Courtesy City of Chamblee

Rendering depicting entries and overall architecture for the new Dresden Park Community Center. Courtesy City of Chamblee

Dresden Park now includes a three-tier playground, a new modern-style community center, a rectangular field with artificial turf and a multi-use field, a dog park, tennis courts, a walking trail, a pavilion, and a new concessions building. Infrastructure upgrades such as new lighting, terraced seating, restrooms, and a new parking lot were also installed. 

In a project update, Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock called Dresden Park a longtime “cornerstone of our community” where upgrades “ensure that families, athletes, and neighbors can continue to enjoy this beautiful space for generations to come.” 

One unique new feature is the latest ITP sculpture by found-object artist William Massey titled, Project Monarch: The Flight of Fortitude (Proyecto Monarca: El Vuelo de la Fortaleza). It’ll be unveiled during next month’s ceremony. 

Interior layout for a Dresden Park community room. Courtesy City of Chamblee

Example of a new Dresden Park pavilion. Courtesy City of Chamblee

According to city officials, Massey worked with Chamblee’s public arts manager, a Spanish-speaking community liaison, and local residents to shape a monarch butterfly sculpture—a nod to Chamblee’s diverse population that symbolizes hopes and resilience within immigrant communities. 

The bulk of park upgrades were paid for with COVID-19 relief funding—specifically, $10.8 million from American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds. The Chamblee City Council approved another $2 million to pay for the larger community building last year, nudging the total renovation budget up to $12.8 million.

The Dresden Park redo “reflects our dedication to creating safe, beautiful, and accessible spaces where our community can connect and enjoy the outdoors,” added Jodie Gilfillan, Chamblee’s parks and recreation director.  

The park's 2301 Dresden Drive location (in red) near the City of Chamblee's southeastern border. Google Maps

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