Save The Old Atlanta Prison Farm (Panthersville: 2014, houses, asbestos)

[afdinatl]

Save The Old Atlanta Prison Farm

[jsvh]

Atlanta's Largest Green Space Isn't Where You Think It Is - Preservation Watch - Curbed Atlanta

Larger than Piedmont Park, Grant Park and Oakland Cemetery combined, the Old Atlanta Prison Farm is more than 300 acres of green space and lakes on Key Road, about a mile from the Starlight Six Drive-In. So why aren't we all picnicking over there during this long weekend? In short, because it isn't safe. It's littered with debris that has been illegally dumped over the years, with collapsing buildings, graffiti, kudzu, hidden holes and a smattering of asbestos and other nasty toxins. When the roof of one building caught fire in 2009, firefighters allowed it to burn itself out rather than risking lives to save the building. The area is anything but unsalvageable though. It just needs a helping hand. Fortunately, a Save the Old Atlanta Prison Farm movement is working on convincing the city, which owns the land, to turn it into a multi-use public green space.

Nearby Doll's Head Trail at Constitution Lakes has been described as "part wildlife refuge, part hiking trail, part snake pit and part art exhibit" because of the path of found-object art created using trash from the park. If anything, that bizarre exercise in public art proves that the land wouldn't have to be pristine for people to enjoy it and that the whole area could be transformed into a wonderland of hiking and ruin exploration.

Originally a 700-bed minimum security prison opened in 1920, the prison "honor" farm allowed trustworthy inmates to tend crops and livestock to feed themselves and inmates at the main prison — an experiment in rehabilitative incarceration. At the time, the institution stretched all the way to Panthersville Road to the east and took up 1,248 acres. Before the corrective facility was closed in 1983, inmates had built a sawmill, quarry, barracks, dairy barns, retaining walls, wells and other structures still (barely) standing today. AtlantaPrisonFarm.com has a detailed and fascinating history of the place and this video provides more details:

[jsvh]

While it is near the the boundary, this is outside the city limits. So I don't think contacting City of Atlanta elected officials, as their campaign includes, about this will do any good.

[tikigod311]

I'd rather no one talk about it so I can enjoy the best "park" in Atlanta without the crowds.

oh no, I'm talking about it...

That campaign is nothing new BTW.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by jsvh

While it is near the the boundary, this is outside the city limits. So I don't think contacting City of Atlanta elected officials, as their campaign includes, about this will do any good.

While true, the land is owned by the City of Atlanta. They can do with it as they please.

[AnsleyPark]

I never knew about this place. Wow. Seems to hold such great potential.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

While true, the land is owned by the City of Atlanta. They can do with it as they please.

Is it? I missed that.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Is it? I missed that.

Jsvh - While way off topic there is a good oped on page A10 of today's AJC promoting user fees for highway funding. Thought you'd appreciate it.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jsvh

While it is near the the boundary, this is outside the city limits. So I don't think contacting City of Atlanta elected officials, as their campaign includes, about this will do any good.

Maybe supporters should take it up with DeKalb. DeKalb bought the tract just south of there and turned it into Constitution Lakes park. That's a 200 acre nature preserve with a very nice multi-use trail.

Unfortunately the state of Georgia has the Metro Transitional Center right in between them and they probably aren't going anywhere.

[lem1985]

that's the conley area I think its few warehouses and other small industrial stuff over there. if it going to be saved or converted it would probably be something that goes along with the other business over there