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.
Located near the center of downtown Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park is an expansive and flat green area surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of Atlanta. In this regard, the park stands out amongst the usual landscape of the city. Being in the park gave me a sense of peace and isolation while still being in the middle of the city, almost as if the enclosure of buildings were a sort of protection over the area. It’s a strange and satisfying feeling. The park area is also home to some of Atlanta’s most famous cultural tourist attractions such as the Human Rights Museum and the CNN Center.
The park emphasizes diversity and an overall acceptance of all cultures. The reason for its inception was the Olympic Games, an event meant to bring cultures of the world together. The park continues this through providing a space for people of all cultures to come together. The vast green area the park provides is wonderful for people to get away from the stress of daily life and relax with friends and family. I saw dozens of families of all shapes and sizes having fun. The park emphasizes diversity and togetherness. Intercutting these green areas are long walkways, some with names of contributors etched into the bricks. There are many works of art and statues around the park, one of the most iconic being the statue of Pierre de Coubertin walking up to the Olympic rings which stand at the center of a greenway.
At the time I went, there weren’t any major events going on in the park. But concerts and festivals are held there on a regular basis. However, there is always music playing somewhere in the park. I visited one vendor playing reggae, and another playing pop-rock. Music is a huge part of the environment, and the various genres show how diverse the park is. The Olympic fountain is probably the most entertaining attraction for kids, who jump through the fountain laughing and screaming with joy. The park is a great place for families, friends, and tourists to spend time in Atlanta.
