Updated
08-19-07
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Chastain Park in Atlanta, Georgia is the most recognized Chastain place name in America. It consists of several parts, the most famous of which is the Chastain Park Amphitheater. A high end residential area has developed around the park, making it one of the most desirable living areas in central Georgia.
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Chastain Park, Atlanta, Georgia
By far, the most well known Chastain place name is the 268 acre Chastain Park--the largest park in Atlanta, Georgia. The Park consists of several components, perhaps the most prominent of which is Chastain Amphitheater, where many classical and contemporary musical events are held. The namesake of Chastain Park is Fulton County Commissioner Troy Green Chastain. Troy Chastain was a major force behind the development of parks in Atlanta and especially of North Fulton Park, which in 1946 was renamed Chastain Park in his honor. Chastain Park Conservancy was formed in 2003 to “To Restore, Enhance, Maintain And Preserve Chastain Park.” Below are excerpts from a history of Chastain Park found at the Park History web page. Chastain Park is the largest park and one of the most popular parks in the city of Atlanta, used for a variety of recreational and cultural activities. It is the centerpiece of the vision of former County Commissioner Troy Chastain for the development of North Fulton County in the early 1940’s. It was through the efforts of Chastain, his fellow commissioners and local business leaders that the Park was created and it remains very similar to the purpose envisioned more than 50 years ago. Originally named North Fulton Park, Chastain Park was dedicated to the memory of Troy Green Chastain on September 25, 1946. Chastain was a member of the Fulton County Commission from 1938 to 1942 when the majority of the Park was developed. Chastain Park came under the ownership of the city of Atlanta as part of the 1952 Plan of Improvement, annexing much of North Fulton County into the city limits. From 1946 to 1952, the Park did not change significantly, however, from 1984 to the present, several major changes have occurred prompted by the 1984 Master Plan. Creek Indians once lived in the floodplain of Nancy Creek and farmed the area, which is now known as the North Fulton Golf Course. Just south of Wieuca Road where the ball fields are located was the site of the Creek Indian Village. Over the years the floodplain in this area has been filled in more than ten feet. The State Archeologist believes remains of an ancient Indian village exists below the fill. All of the property was originally part of Henry County, which became DeKalb County in 1840. Fulton County acquired the property at the turn of the century. The original parcel was approximately 1000 acres. Fulton County planned to use the property to build a new almshouse for the county poor. In 1909 the County constructed the two almshouses on Wieuca Road. In 1936, the Fulton County Commission changed the name of the facilities to Haven Home. The almshouses remained in use until 1952. The brick structure currently houses Galloway School and the frame building the Chastain Arts and Crafts Center. Chastain Park currently totals 268 acres. The remainder of the original approximate 1000 acres was sold for development in the 1940’s. To encourage residential development in North Fulton, the County Commission decided to provide a major recreation facility on the farmland. Many of the current facilities including the pool, bathhouse, stables, picnic areas and lakes were built under their direction in the 1940’s by the WPA and labor from the prison farm. Troy Chastain was a major force in developing the Park facilities including the 18-hole North Fulton Golf Course on the farmland south of the Almshouses. In 1948, the course was the site of the National Public Links Golf Tournament; an important occasion since it was the first time the event was held in the South. Troy and others were determined that the North Fulton Park would be a showplace for recreation facilities. The tennis center was built and at the time said to rival the courts at Jekyll Island in quality and class with a total of 9 courts. The swimming pool is an Olympic-size facility where many swimming meets have been held through the years. In the early years, teams came from as far away as Havana, Cuba to compete. Troy was interested in building an amphitheater in the Park. The Chastain amphitheater is built in a natural bowl area and its design is similar to the facility in Richmond. The amphitheater opened on June 20, 1944. The riding stables were built in 1945 to house horses for the polo fields along West Wieuca Road. These stables were built as a result of an ongoing rivalry between differing factions that stabled their horses across Powers Ferry Road. Bridle paths meandered through the Park and surrounding rolling hills. The center ring was developed as one of the largest and best facilities for horse shows in the state. On these occasions attendees would camp in the Park. An annual event was the Thanksgiving Breakfast and Ride hosted by the Fulton County Commission from the late 1940’s until 1955. In the late 1990’s, Chastain Horse Park, Ltd. (CHP) was formed to lease, renovate and operate the property. CHP has recently competed a $4 million development of the facility. Galloway School now occupies the white almshouse. The neo-classical revival building is built in a characteristic horseshoe shape with a center courtyard. Galloway School, a private school offering classes from pre-first kindergarten through the twelfth grade, leased the building and grounds from the County in 1965. The Fulton County black almshouse was built in 1909. This white frame building is also in the classical revival tradition and features a covered portico around its L-shape layout. The black almshouse continued to operate until 1968, when it was sold to the City of Atlanta. Shortly thereafter, the Chastain Arts Center began operating under the Department of Parks and Recreation. A new pottery wing and additional structural renovations to the roof and porches were made in 1978. Another renovation effort in the late 1980’s created a professional gallery space in the old prisoner/caretaker quarters. The gym was completed in 1972 and is the only major recent addition to the Park. Facilities include a weight room, gymnasium/basketball court, locker rooms and one handball/racquetball court and office. The building was partially funded by contributions from the Northside Youth Organization (NYO). In 1966, NYO moved to Chastain Park, and by this time, the football program was serving over 700 players and cheerleaders. In the late 1960’s, baseball was added. In 1984 the NYO playfields consisted of two baseball fields, two softball fields, one soccer field and one football field. Press boxes, concession building, restrooms and parking were also a part of the facility. The bathhouse was constructed in 1942. The 50-yard Olympic pool was built as a competition facility. In 2002, the North American Swim Association (NASA) agreed to lease and operate the pool and its facilities for the community. The original tennis center building was destroyed by fire and replaced in 1979. The new facility includes equipment sales, locker rooms, restrooms, offices and a small concession area. The Park essentially was developed as Troy Chastain imagined. The only major additions to the Park since his death are the ball fields in 1952, the gymnasium in 1972 and the PATH system built in 1995 and expanded in 1998. Back to Index
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When the original 1939 stables at Chastain Park were abandoned, Amy C. Lance led in the establishment of Chastain Horse Park in 1997 on 13 acres of Chastain Park. Today, Chastain Horse Park provides a number of services, but features therapeutic riding and children’s educational outreach.