Atlanta, Georgia – A playground may seem like a small neighborhood improvement. But for families whose children have struggled to use traditional play equipment, it can make a world of difference.
In Southwest Atlanta, a park once affectionately called the “Lost Park” is getting a new chapter. And the people who fought to make it happen are the same neighbors who have spent years believing the space deserved better.
Deerwood Park in Atlanta’s Ben Hill neighborhood officially welcomed a new ADA-compliant playground on Tuesday, October 27, marking a major achievement for residents who pushed to make the park more welcoming to children of all abilities.
Mayor Andre Dickens joined community members, park supporters and local leaders for the opening celebration, recognizing the years of work behind the improvements.
The new playground replaces aging equipment with an accessible space designed to allow children with different abilities to enjoy outdoor activities together. It addresses a longstanding concern among families who wanted a playground that could serve more children in their community.
The transformation did not happen overnight.
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Deerwood Park covers 17 acres and has served as a neighborhood gathering place for generations. Despite its importance to Ben Hill residents, the park needed improvements, prompting neighbors to organize and advocate for investment approximately four years ago.
An accessible playground quickly became one of their priorities.
Their efforts brought together several organizations, including Friends of Deerwood Park, Park Pride, Breedlove Land Planning and Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Working with residents, these partners helped move the idea toward construction.
Planning for the playground’s design began in 2025. The project also received financial backing from the city, which committed $500,000 in millage funds to support the improvements.
Former District 11 Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet, who now serves as Atlanta City Council President, championed funding for the project. Her successor, Councilmember Wayne Martin, helped advance the work through its final stages.
For Dickens, who grew up in Southwest Atlanta, the opening carried a connection to the community. The mayor acknowledged residents’ persistence and emphasized the value of neighborhood parks as places where families can spend time together.
The project also reflects Atlanta’s broader efforts to improve access to quality green spaces across different neighborhoods.
At Deerwood Park, however, the biggest change is something families can experience immediately. Children with different physical abilities now have a playground designed with their participation in mind.
What began as a neighborhood request became a coordinated effort involving residents, nonprofit partners and city officials.
After years of advocacy, the Ben Hill community has something tangible to show for its persistence: a more inclusive place for children to play and families to gather.
