Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation contributes $2.5 million for Chattahoochee RiverLands Project

Trust for Public Land has announced a $2.5 million contribution from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to support the Chattahoochee RiverLands, a planned 100-mile linear park through the heart of metro Atlanta.

With this donation, private funding for the RiverLands has reached more than $22 million, with an additional $27 million in public funding. This significant public and private support will allow Trust for Public Land to support the completion of the Cobb County Showcase Site and complete the Camp + Paddle Trail, according to a press release.

“Trust for Public Land is ecstatic to have the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation invest in our efforts to connect 20 cities and 7 counties through our Chattahoochee RiverLands work,” said George Dusenbury, Georgia State Director at Trust for Public Land, in the press release. “We are grateful that philanthropic leaders understand the transformative impact that the Chattahoochee RiverLands will have upon our region and our state. The Camp + Paddle Trail and RiverLands Showcase are equitable investments that strengthen community health and resiliency by connecting residents to their river.”

“Access to the Chattahoochee River will bring metro Atlanta another connection to the outdoors, which is vitally important to our community’s overall well-being,” stated Fay Twersky, president, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, said in the release. “We are delighted to support the Trust for Public Land as they complete this first step in a visionary plan to make the river more accessible to residents and visitors in the coming years.”

Camp + Paddle Trail

The Camp + Paddle Trail will offer a way to experience 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River in a three-night, four-day itinerary, starting at Peachtree Creek in North Atlanta and continuing to McIntosh Reserve in Carroll County. The trail includes a kayak launch at Atlanta’s Standing Peachtree Greenspace, an overnight camping experience on Fulton County’s Buzzard Roost Island, a second camping opportunity at Campbellton Park in Chattahoochee Hills, and a camping site at the brand new Chattahoochee Hills RiverLands Park. It will conclude at Carroll County’s McIntosh Reserve, a 1,400-acre greenspace at the southern end of the Chattahoochee RiverLands.

Cobb County Showcase Site

The Cobb County Showcase site is a 2.7-mile greenway and trail connecting Mableton north to Smyrna. The Showcase will feature a new, 12-acre RiverLands Gateway Park, enhanced recreational amenities at two existing parks, three river access points, ecological restoration, and “green infrastructure” that will reduce flooding and improve water quality, RiverLands Gateway Park will also connect to the Mableton Parkway Trail, connecting the Chattahoochee RiverLands project and the Silver Comet Trail.

“We feel the Cobb County Showcase site will demonstrate the impact of the Chattahoochee RiverLands in a way similar to how the Old Fourth Ward Park and Ponce City Market were transformational for the Atlanta BeltLine,” Dusenbury said. “We’re excited about completing both projects and bringing the Chattahoochee RiverLands vision to life for the people of Atlanta.”

Trust for Public Land is championing the creation of the Chattahoochee RiverLands, an outdoor recreation destination with 100 miles of parks, trails and amenities stretching from Buford Dam to Chattahoochee Bend State Park. The Chattahoochee RiverLands will connect nearly one million nearby residents and visitors to the outdoors, providing kayaking, swimming, cycling, picnicking, walking and camping opportunities.

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