John Howell Park has been a staple in the Virginia-Highland community for 40 years. Starting this fall the park is officially being rebuilt after the City of Atlanta committed $300,000 to the project.
The park’s renovations are being delayed for budgetary reasons, according to Carlos Carmona, project supervisor at Frawley Associates which is a landscaping company contributing to the park’s renovations, the rebuilding is being put off until they have a sufficient amount of money to begin repairs.
“Money is still being raised for the project: we are not at the goal we need to be at yet. What I know is that we are still raising money, and we have almost half of it so far,” Carmona said.
According to Carmona, the first section of the renovations only adds to a small portion of the park which is controlled by funding which is a major factor in both the timing and quality of the upgrades.
“The revamping was supposed to start this fall, but we only have enough money for what we call phase one,” Carmona said. “It includes only the play areas, the landscapes and the green infrastructure for now.”
The city has an ongoing bond that started in 2022 to improve infrastructure in Atlanta by pledging $750 million to various projects, including the revitalization of John Howell Park.
“Most of the money is coming from the city from the Moving Atlanta Forward Infrastructure Bond, some from donors, and there is also a grant,” Carmona said.
Virginia-Highland resident Lani Berman said as the park changes, city officials should take in feedback regarding important situations such as the lighting issues, which have become a grave concern in darkness.
“There are barely any lights, and we’ve been at festivals at night where you have no idea where anything is; we couldn’t see our kids or anything,” Berman said. “My daughter was with her friends at one point and ran into a dark bush, and I just about had a heart attack. It was just so dark.”
Berman has attended John Howell Park for many years and said it became a staple in her life, as well as a place to attend events and let the kids burn energy.
“I’ve been going to John Howell for around eight years, and I love how close it is to everything,”Berman said. “I mean kids from outside the schools can go after school to play and hangout.”
Berman says she believes John Howell is trying to appeal to smaller children, likewise does Orme Park which is another playground conveniently located just around the corner.
“Orme Park is known for having younger kids than John Howell, so there could be possible competition,” Berman said. “I think John Howell might be renovating to appeal to a wider range of kids.”
According to Berman, seating at the park has also always been limited, which she says is another issue that needs to be addressed.
“Places for people to sit is also a big issue because you end up sitting down on the ground or on a huge ledge, and even in the lower points of the park where the surface is uneven, and this isn’t ideal for all ages.” Berman said
Softball coach and Virginia-Highland Elementary School teacher Jon Bookspun also highlights the importance of abundant seating, as well as the importance of preserving many monumental parts of the park.
“I haven’t been over there lately, but I know there aren’t enough places just to sit when you’re with family and friends, so more seating could be addressed, still I hope they keep some things such as the metal plaque and stone area” Bookspun said.
The metal plague in the front of the park has a historical event within, regarding the name Brad Cunard that Bookspun believes is important to the area and its residents.
He says the story of Brad Cunard’s tragic accident deserves to be known, which involves a fatal loss during a tornado in 2012 which ended in a contribution to the playground. Bookspun says this story is why his name is prominently featured at the front of the area.
“Apparently, this massive tree fell out of nowhere and out of this whole family, only the dad survived, and the community was there for him, leaving a sort of reminder that we’re all connected within the Virginia-Highland and Old Fourth Ward area,” Bookspun said. “This story led to more funding for the park and is the reason behind the circular plaque everyone’s familiar with at the front of the park, and I think it’s really important that people know about this.”
In terms of the importance of this park, Bookspun said this park is special for various reasons and to many people, especially the students at Virginia-Highland Elementary.
“The kids and teachers sometimes use the field on the same street since it’s owned by Atlanta Public Schools, but we don’t go with the kids to John Howell Park; that’s something they usually always do after school on their own,” Bookspun said. “I have twins who I would take there for years. The park has always been a hangout spot for kids and teens, and I hope it will continue to be that special.”
Overall Berman says this park has a lock on the community. She says she, along with others, believe the renovation is more than necessary for parents and kids, but the heart of the park should remain.
“I hope the park doesn’t change too much, but it’s been needing an update for years, and it’s about time for a safer, revamped park for the kid’s sake and the adults,” Berman said.
