Piedmont Park is growing — but so are the pressures

Zoom in: The Piedmont Park Conservancy is building out a 10-year master plan that pushes the boundaries to the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive, president and CEO Doug Widener said Thursday at the nonprofit's fundraiser luncheon.

• The conservancy is acquiring three more parcels — a gas station and buildings that include Varuni Napoli and Octopus Kitchen — to create a new entrance at the intersection.
• Additional park improvements funded by conservancy supporters call for grand entrance plazas, creek restoration, dog park fixes and mature tree canopy preservation.

What they're saying: "Atlanta will have more park, more open space, trails and places to gather and belong," Widener said. Read the plan

Zoom out: As the green space grows, city officials and advocates want to find a balance to avoid straining the park.

• A fatal shooting earlier this month during an unpermitted gathering rattled parkgoers and renewed concerns about safety and overcrowding.
• Summer is approaching and with it wear and tear, along with a drought, which could damage the green space.

Council member Alex Wan, whose district includes Piedmont, said the park needs "resting periods" between major events to recover, repair and reset.

• He wants to create a 19-member task force to study policies and procedures, including event permit fees.
• The conservancy handles more than 85% of the park's operations and maintenance — but doesn't receive revenue from event permits, which go to the city, Wan said.

Of note: SweetWater 420 Fest this past weekend was held for the first time at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.

• The Westside park is the city's largest green space and a potential alternative venue for events and festivals that book Piedmont.