Glen Emerald Rock Garden and Lake History

i first learned of the glen emerald rock garden during my thesis work on residual spaces. a friend of a friend connecting me to someone who “was on a run and stumbled into this epic green-space that seemed abandoned.” at that time the park was not official and uncovering its origins mean patch-working together various facts i could find, which were minimal. it’s a mystical rock garden from the 1930s. it sat abandoned for decades and was was uncovered in the 90s. i also read in the linked essay that kelly jordan played a vital role in advocating for its preservation. kelly jordan is a dear friend who’s name shows up in most of the preserved sites of significance in atlanta. most notably to me, the arabia mountain national heritage area, and little 5 points…well and now glen emerald rock garden too!

i took my now husband here on our first date. my headshots were also taken here. highly recommend if you’re in atlanta.