New Skyland Park Officially Set To Open On Sept. 29

From The City of Brookhaven: Like the legendary phoenix rising from the ashes, the new Skyland Park, 2600 Skyland Drive, will officially rejoin the Brookhaven park system with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. When it opens, Skyland will feature several new amenities that can’t be found anywhere else in the City’s 14-park network.

Located next door to its former site, the park’s renaissance, several years in the making, is the end result of savvy city management combined with old-fashioned “horse trading.” In 2015, the DeKalb County School District expressed an interest in swapping parcels of land adjacent to the park with the City of Brookhaven in order to have an appropriately-sized lot to build the new John R. Lewis Elementary School. Once the arrangement was negotiated, an existing building on what would become the new park site, the former Georgia Vital Records Office, had to be demolished.

The School District paid Brookhaven $4.75 million as part of the land swap arrangement, enough to pay for demolishing the old building, building the new park and any extra monies left over were earmarked by the City Council to acquire new park space in other locations in the City.

“This arrangement was a win-win situation for Brookhaven and the DeKalb County school system,” says Mayor John Ernst. “The school system had room for a new school that would relieve overcrowding and the City had space to build a new, improved park for residents to enjoy. Being located next door to the school, Skyland will provide an excellent environment for not only youngsters to come play when their school day is finished, but for all residents in the surrounding area.”

The new state-of-the-art four-acre park boasts something for everyone, ranging from children and dog lovers to those just seeking quiet nature time. There are two separate areas to accommodate both large and small dogs, a new picnic shelter overlooking the school and a new shaded playground that blends into the natural landscape. An inviting granite seating wall encourages visitors to sit and enjoy the park and features a walkway behind it that provides ADA access to the seating area.

An aerial view of the new Skyland Park. The John Lewis Elementary School, under construction, is at the bottom of the frame. The sand volleyball courts are near the top.

“There are several new amenities found in Skyland that are not available in other City parks: a charging station for electronic cars and two sand volleyball courts,” said Brian Borden, Director of Parks and Recreation. “We designed this park with all ages in mind, from youngsters and Millennials to senior citizens.”

Additionally, there are two canopy structures with built-in solar panels that also serve as charging stations for the public to charge their electronic devices while they walk their dog or watch volleyball. Also featured in the park are new restrooms, a hammock area, new park furniture such as tables and park benches, and a large green space playing field.

The public is invited to the official opening on Sept. 29 and more details for the event will be announced closer to that date.

Images via The City of Brookhaven