The seal of the State of Georgia is an icon that has historically been used to authenticate government documents executed by the state of Georgia. The first great seal of the state was specified in the State Constitution of 1777. The seal, located on the east wall of the plaza, now commemorates Liberty Plaza as a space integral to the ideals of Georgia and the United States.
Two columns separate the main green lawn from the liberty bell enclosure. The preamble to The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution rest on plaques on both of these colmuns. They serve as a reminder of the civil liberties granted to each of us as United States citizens. The space as a whole emphasizes the right to speak out against any government or institution which infringes upon those unalienable rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
Dedicated by the Boy Scouts of America, The Statue of Liberty replica stands tall at the entrance to Liberty Plaza. While definitely not as large as the original, I found the symbol very effective in promoting the purpose of the park. The plaque below reads “With the Faith and Courage of their Forefathers who made possible the Freedom of these United States”. The statue is a welcoming symbol of freedom and progress for any who enter the plaza, an enduring reminder that we have a right to stand tall against any injustice.
The Liberty Bell replica is located towards the west end of the plaza. One of 53 cast in France, this replica was given to the United States in 1950. The plaque below the bell reads “Dedicated to You, a Free Citizen in a Free Land”. The Liberty Bell is a lot bigger in person than I thought it would be. While this isn’t the real thing, it is an exact replica that symbolizes an important aspect of American identity.
These flags encircle the liberty bell replica located next to the lawn. They represent each of the original 13 colonies, as well as the United States flag. This area as a whole focuses on the civil liberties granted to each of us. The flags each have a label identifying the state and the dates on which they ratified the original U.S. Constitution.
Many of these images of athletes are engraved into the intersections of the paths. They emphasize the culture of sportsmanship and achievement in the park. They are gender and race neutral, showing how anyone can be whatever they choose to. Some other examples of engravings were swimmers, basketball players, and runners.
This statue features Pierre de Coubertin walking up towards the Olympic rings. Pierre de Coubertin is the founder of the Olympic committee and is considered to be the founder of the Olympic Games. On the bronze patch between the center columns, a placard commemorates the “Freinds Who Believe In Atlanta’s Olympic Dream”.
As I mentioned previously, the park is surrounded by the buildings that make up Atlanta’s skyline. It’s an amazing view, and the buildings provide a strange sense of security. Not pictured here, but on the other side of the park, you can see the CNN Center and the Georgia Aquarium.
One example of the various tunes I heard at the park, this reggae song was playing at a hotdog stand near the playground. You can also hear the children playing in the playground in the northeast corner of the park. When I was there the playground was packed, with dozens of families taking advantage of the beautiful Saturday evening.
Centennial Olympic Park’s fountain is the iconic image one thinks of when they think of the park. The water leaps out of the Olympic rings and children laugh and smile as they splash through the water. The flags of various countries surround the fountain, emphasizing a culture of unity togetherness.
