Decatur Legacy Park Visioning and Inclusive Playground Project – Decatur, GA

Problem/Rationale:
After purchasing the 77-acre former United Methodist Children’s Home, the City of Decatur needed a community-driven plan to determine how the property should be used and how to ensure it reflected local priorities, history, and values.

Goals:

• Develop a shared community vision for the 77-acre property.
• Engage diverse residents, including youth and underrepresented voices, in shaping the site’s future.
• Create a master plan that preserves the landscape, expands recreation opportunities, and addresses accessibility and inclusion needs.
• Design and install an inclusive, fully accessible playground at Decatur Legacy Park.

Project Summary:
In 2017, the City of Decatur launched an eight-month visioning process to determine the future of the newly acquired former United Methodist Children’s Home property. The process followed four phases—Investigate, Illuminate, Ideate, and Innovate—moving from understanding existing conditions to generating concepts and ultimately selecting a community-informed Final Concept. Throughout the process, the city hosted interactive workshops, celebrations, and hands-on activities to gather input, build excitement, and reach as many residents as possible.

A major focus of the Illuminate phase was inclusive engagement. The city worked intentionally to involve youth, families, and residents who are not typically at the table. The Decatur Youth Council participated in a dedicated workshop, and all 3rd grade classes in Decatur’s independent school system visited the site to offer input. Students quickly identified accessibility issues in existing playgrounds and advocated strongly for inclusive playground design—ultimately sending a formal letter supporting a fully accessible playground.

The Final Concept reflected the community’s priorities: preserved buildings and landscapes, recreation amenities, trails, long-term affordable housing opportunities, and new inclusive playgrounds. Building on this input, the city applied for and received a Community Development Block Grant to design and install an inclusive playground at Decatur Legacy Park. Legacy Decatur later conducted a community survey to refine equipment choices and guide future inclusive play investments. Installation of the city’s first fully inclusive playground began in December 2022, demonstrating a deep community commitment to accessibility, belonging, and play for all.

Engagement Strategies:

• Interactive public workshops
• Youth engagement through the Decatur Youth Council
• Site tours and facilitated activities for all 3rd grade classes
• Outreach through schools, after-school programs, and community partners
• Digital engagement and online surveys
• Broad promotion through websites, newsletters, and social media
• Targeted outreach to families of children with disabilities
• Celebratory kickoff and hands-on visioning activities

Outcomes:

• A community-driven master plan for Decatur Legacy Park
• Creation of Guiding Principles rooted in preservation, recreation, and inclusivity
• Strong youth advocacy leading to inclusion of accessible playgrounds in the plan
• Secured CDBG funding for an inclusive playground
• Installation launched for Decatur’s first fully accessible and inclusive playground
• Strengthened culture of civic engagement and broadened participation across ages and abilities

Resources

• Decatur’s AAC Presentation
• Decatur Legacy Park