My view is filled with luxury apartments as I turn on to Rinkin Street. Driving further down there is a sudden splash of green against the neutral colors of the surrounding apartments, and the city of Atlanta can be seen decorating the background of Fourth Ward Park. As I park my car a construction sight can be seen across the small lawn, however the noise does little to distract visitors. The park is located in a marvelous area being only walking distance from Ponce City Market and the belt line’s walking trails.
Fourth Ward Park has two waterfalls that were beautifully incorporated into the park giving it an almost luxurious feel. The largest waterfall has about a ten foot drop onto large stones below, and the water collects into a small pond that merges with a larger central one. There is an abundance of greenery surrounding the larger waterfall. The second waterfall seemed to me like a layered waterfall whose water runs under a bridge and into the larger central pond. Both waterfalls contain brightly colored rocks that contrast the murky green water surrounding them. The color of the water contrasted the stone walls and concrete pathways in such a way that it made the surrounding plants look even more vivid.
As I kept walking I couldn’t help but notice the amount of flora that flourished on the surrounding areas of the pond. There were large pink flowers that reminded me of a Hawaiian tropical flower I had once seen.
Mesmerized by the plant I stepped closer only to have a bee fly right into my face immediately triggering my phobia of the insect, and like any other passerby would, I completely freaked out then calmly composed myself, acting as if nothing happened. This was a park filled with phobia inducing bumblebees but only if you get too close to the plants near the water. Besides the concrete path to guide you the plants also formed an almost fence-like area keeping walkers away from the waters edge by a thick wall of flora and hiding the stone wall with bright green leaves and small yellow flowers.
The afternoon Atlanta sun beamed down strongly onto families who were having a daily walk, but thankfully there were trees that cast a shadow over the concrete walkway, providing a considerable amount of shade in the blistering heat. Surprisingly I mostly saw fathers pushing strollers or leading a child by the hand on what would seem like a daily walk through the park. Some of them even walked in groups of twos or threes deep in conversation as they pushed a stroller each down the concrete path. One man even brought bread to feed the ducks that swam in the large central pond. You could hear children laughing as the ducks flew after them and their bread. Smiling at the joy it brought the children to simply feed the animals, I continued my walk through the park.
I made my way to the jewel of the park. Its central fountain. Among all the other beauties of Fourth Ward this was my absolute favorite. I called it the jewel of the park because the jetting water can be seen from anywhere on the concrete walkways. Directly in front of the fountain there are rows of auditorium style steps for people to sit and admire the view of Ponce City Market and the Atlanta sky line. On a windy day, like the day I visited, the wind can cause the water to change direction and spray mist onto the faces of anyone who walks close enough to the edge of the railing. The mist was definitely a good way for me to cool off on such a hot summer day. 
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As the heat became too unbearable I began to gather my things and slowly make my way towards Ponce City Market for a fresh drink of water. I admired the Atlanta skyline and wished I lived in the surrounding apartments. Historic Fourth Ward Park is a breath of fresh air in the middle of a busy city, and it provides some calm in the hustle and bustle of daily city life. It is a wonderful place to relax and spend time with family or even take a breather from the stress of daily life.
