The City of Atlanta announced its acquisition of Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve this week, marking a major step in transforming the 50-acre urban forest dotted with lakes and wetlands into a publicly accessible park.
Tatum Lakes is situated in Southwest Atlanta’s Adamsville neighborhood, with around four acres of lakes and wetlands surrounded by a mature oak-pine-hickory forest. The city bought up the property using Tree Trust Funds, which come from recompense fees for removing trees.
The trust fund pays for tree planting projects — and major greenspace acquisitions. While the city will need to pursue federal funds to support master planning and capital improvements, officials already teased low-impact trails and other amenities that will be “guided by community input.”
“This acquisition is a transformative investment in Southwest Atlanta,” Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler said. “Tatum Lakes will protect vital ecological resources and provide safe, sustainable access to nature for thousands of residents.”
The nature preserve will provide “critical ecosystem services” like stormwater management, wildlife habitats and carbon sequestration. It also aligns with community priorities in the city’s comprehensive plan, like adding park equity to Southwest Atlanta and strengthening the historically underserved neighborhood.
“Acquiring the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve ensures this greenspace will be protected for generations to enjoy,” Dickens said. “We have made investing in our greenspaces a priority; Atlanta now invests more than twice the national average per resident.
Dickens continued, “Our parks help create a healthier, more connected city, and conserving this land is just one way our administration is reversing decades of underinvestment in underserved communities for Atlanta families and seniors.”
The Department of Parks and Recreation will handle long-term stewardship of the preserve, which officials call “one of the city’s most ecologically significant landscapes.”
But preservation and development plans will all align with Activate ATL: Recreation and Parks for All, a 10-year master plan to create equitable and high-quality access to all residents. Dickens’ administration has focused on putting all residents within a 10-minute walk from their nearest park or preserve.
“Our master plan will ensure this preserve remains a natural treasure for decades to come,” Cutler said.
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