Maybe it lacks the cool cachet of Historic Fourth Ward Park, or the scope of Chastain and Grant parks, but Kirkwood’s centralized, century-old greenspace is no less a pillar and functional asset for eastside communities. 

Now, after several years of planning, Bessie Branham Park’s comprehensive renovation is set to ramp up soon, according to project officials.  

The first completed section of what’s called the Bessie Branham Park Renewal is set to be officially unveiled with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday at the southwest entrance of the park, nearest to Kirkwood’s commercial village. 

The event will serve as the kickoff to the 22nd annual Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes, the historic neighborhood’s signature festival. 

Planning and fundraising efforts to upgrade the circa-1924 greenspace—spread across 7 acres at 2051 Delano Drive—have been ongoing since 2022. 

Historical photo of the entrance in question at the century-old park, where Kirkwood and Ridgedale roads meet. Courtesy of KNO

HGOR; courtesy of KNO

Features of the revamped (but still historic-looking) entrance include new monumental signage, landscaped areas, and a path with personalized bricks purchased by local organizations and families as tributes to the neighborhood, according to Kirkwood Neighbors Organization officials. 

Beyond the entrance, HGOR-designed renovation plans for Bessie Branham Park call for ADA-accessible walkways, playground upgrades, and solutions for water runoff issues that can leave areas swampy after heavy rains. 

Playground updates call for modern equipment and a more accessible, engaging space overall. Another aspect will restore the park’s Urban Treehouse deck—implemented in 1994 and shaped like the United States—with durable composite materials that will preserve the deck’s uniquely state-inspired features. 

Megan Owens, KNO outreach chair, said work on the playground and treehouse sections is scheduled to commence after the Spring Fling festival and wrap sometime in December. 

Rendering for the upgraded Bessie Branham Park playground expected to open later this year. Courtesy of KNO

Overview of planned updates across the park's south end, including the existing Urban Treehouse deck shaped like the U.S. (with an Alaska satellite deck). HGOR; courtesy of KNO

According to Owens, about 60 to 70 percent of festival proceeds have been channeled into park upgrades over the past few years. (We've asked for an estimate on what the project will cost overall and will update this story should additional information come.) This year, proceeds from KNO Environmental t-shirt sales at the new entrance will go toward park upgrades—and ditto for the bulk of beer and beverage sales. (Bottoms up, ATL). 

The free festival, held rain or shine, also features an array of live music in the park, a large kid zone, a 5K run, artist market, and rows of food offerings.  

Swing up to the gallery for more Bessie Branham Park Renewal project images and context.

HGOR; courtesy of KNO

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