For devoted patrons of Dresden Park, the growing-pains phase is about to begin.

According to the City of Chamblee, the popular greenspace is set to officially close May 28—or the day after Memorial Day Weekend—for at least 14 months of construction that aims to provide an upgraded greenspace with modernized facilities.

Construction is now expected to continue through the spring of next year, with a grand opening forecasted sometime in summer 2025.

Nearly $13 million in park upgrades are planned, starting with demolition of existing Dresden Park structures.

Entries and overall architecture for the planned Dresden Park Community Center. Courtesy City of Chamblee

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

Dresden Park is tucked off Buford Highway, just south of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, at 2301 Dresden Drive. At 24 acres, the greenspace is 2 acres larger than Centennial Olympic Park downtown. City officials finalized a contract in February with Integrated Construction and Nobility to remake the park.

Revitalization plans call for a new modern-style community center, a rectangular field with artificial turf and a multi-use field, a dog park, tennis courts, a large playground, a walking trail, a pavilion, and a new concessions building. Infrastructure upgrades such as new lighting, terraced seating, restrooms, and a new parking lot are also planned.  

The bulk of park upgrades is being 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 earlier this year, nudging the total renovation budget up to $12.8 million.

Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock has called the ARPA funding “likely a once in a lifetime opportunity” that will create “the crown jewel of the neighborhood” for an area that’s been underserved.

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

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

Until summer 2025, programming usually held at Dresden Park will be moved to Keswick Park and other privately owned field locations. Chamblee officials are urging parkgoers to use other city greenspaces for picnics and family outings, too. 

In recent years, other parts of Chamblee 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 ITP city’s historic core.

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

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