Category: Artifacts

Androgyne Planet

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This sculpture is one of those that I’ve walked past numerous times and never thought to pay it any attention. According to Pokemon Go, the sculpture is called the Angel Rod, but upon my attempt to research it, I found it was actually named the Androgyne Planet. It was originally created in 1992 for the Barcelona Summer Olympics and was then brought to Atlanta as a symbolize for passing on of the Olympic Games. The sculpture site is almost directly in the middle of the park, but there was hardly anyone near it, which makes for better pictures!

Maintaining a Legacy

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This monument was found in front of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce in the park. The structure has Ivan Allen Sr., Ivan Allen Jr., and Ivan Allen III on three sides, all of which were presidents of Atlanta’s Chamber of Commerce. On this side of the park, there was hardly any foot traffic. The monument had its own square of concrete fenced off by short hedges. This spot would be ideal for anyone trying to escape the rushed feeling of city life.

Playground

One of the other entrances to the park is off of Baker Street. Right inside the entrance is a playground. On any given day, the park is filled with children with their parents watching nearby. The day I recorded this sound clip was a hot, sunny September day. The playground was shaded by trees, providing a barrier between the intense sun and the kids running about. The addition of this playground makes the park even more family-friendly, and this area in particular is one of the more serene areas of Centennial.

Splash Fountains

https://sites.gsu.edu/mcreagan1/files/2016/09/PCWY6189-18vivis.mov

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This video is from the fountains near one of the park entrances. On any given day, you can find children playing in the fountains with their parents watching from the outside of the splash pads. The park is very family-oriented, given the fact that most families that live in the downtown area come here with their children when the weather is nice. When I visited the park, it was still extremely hot, and there were a lot of kids playing in the water to cool off.

Tribute to the 1996 Olympics

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This artifact is the most important in understanding the historical context of Centennial Olympic Park. The statue is a symbol to represent the Olympic Games of 1996, which made the park as famous as it is today. The statue looms over the park and has the Olympic rings placed on the top of the columns. The area surrounding the sculpture was not very crowded, as it is not as much of a tourist attraction as one would think.

Skyview Atlanta

The Ferris wheel near Centennial Olympic Park is called Skyview Atlanta. At night, the wheel is lit up with an array of colors, making it visible from anywhere in the park. When I visited the first time, it was during the day, and people were in line down the block to get on the ride. Most of the people in line were young couples, presumably on dates. When I visited at night, however, the ride was closed, and the area surrounding Skyview had the same eerie feeling you would experience near an abandoned amusement park.

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