Mark your calendars for Greater & Greener 2028 in Atlanta, GA, June 3-6, 2028.
Atlanta boasts the highest urban tree canopy cover in the nation, proudly earning its reputation as a “City in the Forest.” Its vast network of trees and surrounding natural areas supports a diverse population of 500,000 residents within a sprawling metropolitan area of over 6 million people.
The city is a bustling urban hub full of culture, surrounded by nature, and deeply rooted in history. As the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement and the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta’s core identity is defined by a powerful legacy of activism and social progress. Today, this heritage thrives alongside its status as a global destination for tech and film, driven by a vibrant arts scene, thriving culture, and welcoming community.
Atlanta’s strategic focus on access and connectivity is redefining how residents navigate the urban landscape. The Atlanta Beltline provides a spectacular multi-use trail corridor to explore the city, surrounded by incredible art, dining, diverse activities, and excitement.
Through its ambitious Trails ATL plan, the city aims to build on this network to become the most trail-connected city in the nation. This unparalleled land connectivity is paired with breathtaking water access, highlighted by the stunning Chattahoochee River flowing through metro Atlanta to provide endless recreational opportunities right at the city’s doorstep.
4,554
Acres of parkland
383
Parks
81
miles of trails
27
recreation Facilities
158
Playgrounds
170
Fields
170
Tennis COurts
77
BASKETBALL COURTS
31
Fitness Zones
21
community gardens
PARTNERSHIPS
Atlanta’s park system is a collaborative ecosystem of strategic partnerships.
Park Pride, the City’s nonprofit partner, drives neighborhood-led park revitalization and manages over 150 localized Friends of the Park groups. The Atlanta Beltline is an ambitious infrastructure partnership transforming 22 miles of rail corridors into a continuous loop of public parks and trails that reconnects historically divided neighborhoods across the city. The City’s partnership with Atlanta Public Schools opens schoolyards for public recreation after hours, ensuring more Atlantans are within a 10-minute walk of high-quality green space.
CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Atlanta integrates green infrastructure into its park planning to mitigate severe weather risks and protect historic neighborhoods. Retention ponds at Cook Park capture and filter up to 10 million gallons of stormwater, eliminating flash flooding.
An asphalt lot at Grant Park Gateway was turned into a semi-underground parking facility topped with a green roof, standing as the first project in the world to be triple certified under LEED, SITES, and Parksmart standards. The city has embedded sustainability into future development by requiring municipal buildings to meet these LEED Silver certification standards.
EQUITY
Grounded by its profound civil rights legacy, the City of Atlanta is deeply committed to addressing historical underinvestment in its neighborhoods. Equity serves as the driving force of Activate ATL: Recreation & Parks for All, the department’s 10-Year Master Plan.
Equity Data Tools are being used to analyze park access, acreage, conditions, and community need. The city is developing a new Parks & Recreation Opportunity Explorer tool, allowing planners to target park investments directly into historically underserved areas.
Hosting Greater & Greener 2028 provides an opportunity for Atlanta to showcase its city within a forest approach and highlight the critical role of park equity, green infrastructure, and community partnerships across the city.
Atlanta will provide a dynamic and living learning lab for the more than 1,200 Greater & Greener attendees, including urban park leaders, city planners, design professionals, and advocates from around the world.
When you attend Greater & Greener 2028, you will be exploring the City of Atlanta through our Weekend Tours, Mobile Workshops, and Special Events.
If you arrive before the conference or decide to stay afterwards, explore the Discover Atlanta website for 50 Fun Things to Do in Atlanta, restaurants, attractions, and more.
Plus, use the illustrated map to discover the city’s premier green spaces. From the iconic skyline views at Piedmont Park to the historic paths of Grant Park and the sprawling Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, find the perfect outdoor spots to inspire your visit.
