As part of this growth, a new master plan has been thoughtfully developed for the Garden enabling these new programs, as well as almost doubling the size of its display space by inclusion of Storza Woods into the visitor experience. New features, including an elevated walkway that soars into the tree canopy, and a canopy classroom, add opportunities for Garden visitors and students to enjoy a stunning native woodland display. Additionally, a new urban edible garden will be created in the one-acre footprint of the Garden’s current surface parking lot. Creating signature vegetable and herb gardens will enable us to respond to public interest in growing and harvesting “natural” foods and using them in ethnic recipes from around the world. From hosting a Tomato Festival to sponsoring cooking demonstrations of African vegetables, the Edible Garden can be brought to life for visitors. A new Visitor Center will be constructed which will be built to receive LEED Silver certification. For the first time, the Garden will face Piedmont Park which will easily allow Park visitors to include a trip to the Garden, and vice versa.
A survey of park users shows that more and more people are driving to Piedmont Park, which shows that more people are coming from throughout the city to access the park. The proportions of those who walk or drive have actually flipped in the last six years. In a 1998 survey, a majority, 52 percent, said they walked to park, while only 30 percent said they drove. By March 2004, 58 percent said they drove while only 31 percent walked. For African Americans, the numbers are far more stark, in large part because they are accessing the park from farther distances. Only 14 percent walk to the park. Nearly four out of five drive. Of all visitors who drive, 72 percent say they park on surrounding streets and in nearby neighborhoods. Only 16 percent of survey respondents believe Piedmont Park provides adequate parking. New modes of access are welcome and anticipated, such as the Beltline and shuttles. The Conservancy strongly endorses the Beltline in its 1995 Master Plan. The Garden used shuttles, with mixed success, during the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit. In a comprehensive plan for access, all of these modes of access – pedestrian and bicycle traffic, mass transit, shuttles, the anticipated Beltline and other forms of access -- must be considered. But failing to include parking as part of a comprehensive plan for access would ignore the needs of our region.
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