05 Jul The Atlanta Parks

After training and familiarizing myself with the day to day activities of the SERO,  I began to assume the responsibilities associated with the description on my name plate: Partnerships and Community Engagement Assistant. Partnerships refers to a collaboration between Atlanta National Parks and Atlanta Latino organizations. Thus, I began to familiarize myself with the parks I’d be working with.

There are three National Parks that serve the greater Atlanta area: MALU, KEMO, and CHAT.

Acronyms!

SERO – South East Regional Office

MALU– Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site

KEMO – Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park  (Don’t be alarmed if someone says they’re going to “key-mo”-they don’t have cancer!)

CHAT – Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

MALU         

The park, located in Downtown Atlanta, is the site of a variety of historically significant locales. The “Sweet Auburn” neighborhood was home to a vibrant community of black families, businesses, and churches. It is best known as the unique environment in which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in, grew up in, and preached in. Moreover, the park helps teach the powerful message, which significantly advanced the Civil Rights movement, Dr. King developed.

 In addition to the King family’s home, there are several houses managed and preserved by the National Parks Service. In fact, Suhey and I are staying in one of them – four houses down from the historic birth home!

CHAT         

The park is a 48-mile stretch, which cuts through suburban North Georgia. The National Park offers visitors the opportunity to engage in recreational water and land-based activities. Moreover, the river and river banks are home to a variety of plants and wild animals. Unfortunately, the ever expanding Atlanta metro area has threatened the scenic, recreational, historic, and natural value of the river. For this reason, there is a consistent need for volunteers to help maintain the park.  

KEMO         

Kennesaw Mountain is the site of a series of historical battles fought between the Confederate and Union forces. In addition to its historical significance, the park is a designated Globally Important Bird Area. The park offers educational opportunities on both the civil war and native wildlife.