Woodruff Park Strategic Plan
About the Plan
As Downtown’s signature greenspace for more than 40 years, Woodruff Park represents a unique blend of art, culture, and nature. In urban areas, parks provide a multitude of functions, and Woodruff is no exception. The park offers people a connection with nature, an opportunity to learn about Atlanta’s past, and the ability to engage with art, water, and a variety of social interactions.
Like Downtown itself, Woodruff Park’s users are diverse, and park advocates (neighbors, users, ADID, stakeholders) seek greater inclusivity and
expanded offerings in both design features and programming types.
The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID), the City of Atlanta, and corporate partners have worked over the past 10 years to address recommendations from the 2008 master plan. With a renewed emphasis on social wellness, rising maintenance concerns, and the demand for expanded art and culture offerings, ADID determined it was the right moment for a strategic plan.
Strategic plans differ from master plans, whose emphasis is often limited to design elements and capital improvements. A strategic plan is more comprehensive and addresses elements of policy, design, programming, and operations. The intent is that these elements “speak to one another” and
are aligned to provide ADID with a comprehensive framework for implementing the plan. The plan has no timeline for execution because there are many factors that can affect implementation. As part of this plan, a pro forma provides an eight-year road map to guide ADID through the implementation of recommendations, projecting potential revenue generation, and identifying how funds can be invested in the park through physical improvements, programming, management, and maintenance.
Further, the plan identifies specific short-term action items in each chapter with a summarized list provided in the appendix. It is important that ADID, the City of Atlanta, and Woodruff Park staff champion these steps in order to achieve the park’s vision and the plan’s strategic initiatives.
Strategy Statement
We aim to transform Woodruff Park into a public space that is equal parts flexible event space and neighborhood park.
The flexible event space aspect should add or remove elements to the park that will allow current events and programs to be executed more easily and cost effectively, as well as be more adaptable for a wider variety of events—both internal and external. Upgrades made to the park will allow for more streamlined event production and a better experience for event attendees.
Woodruff Park as a neighborhood park is an amenity that serves its built-in audience of Downtown office workers, Georgia State University students, residents, and under-housed/underemployed visitors. The park should be a welcoming place for all visitors 7 days/week, 365 days/year, for all seasons, and all times of day that the park is open. It should be safe, clean, vibrant, and inviting during at all these times.