Atlanta is honoring its former Mayor, Shirley Franklin, by renaming Westside Reservoir Park and a section of Central Avenue SW in her name. The park will now be called Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, and the roadway from Decatur Street SE to Pryor Street SW will be called Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard.
The legislation was passed by the Atlanta City Council this week as a homage to her legacy and contributions to the city. The renaming of the park was done as per the recommendations of a commission that was formed to determine how to honor Franklin.
Highlights
- Former Mayor Shirley Franklin has been honored this week by the Atlanta City Council.
- The mayor will now have the Westside Reservoir Park and a section of Central Avenue SW named after her.
- She took the office of Atlanta’s Mayor in 2002 and led the city for two terms till 2010.
Shirley Franklin To Be Remembered in Atlanta
Shirley Franklin served as Atlanta’s Mayor for two terms, between 2002 and 2010. As the 58th Mayor of Atlanta, she was the first Black woman to hold the office in any major city in the Southern United States.
Franklin’s most notable work during her tenure led her to take on the title of “Sewer Mayor” by herself. She oversaw the revamp of Atlanta’s water system so that it was no longer in violation of federal regulations for clean water. She is also credited with being one of the minds behind the creation of the Beltline in Atlanta. The project launched during her time in office is today one of the most prized features of the city.
As a historic mayor with an extraordinary record, “she is well deserving”, said one of the members of the commission that decided on how to honor her. Andrea Boone, the council member who led the efforts to create the commission, said that Franklin has extended her influence beyond the city, and it resonates throughout the nation. There is great pride in the fact that Mayor Franklin’s name has now been permanently woven into the fabric of Atlanta, she added.
The Westside Reservoir Park is 280 acres and was built on the site of the former Bellwood Quarry. It is the newest and largest park on the west side of Atlanta. The central freshwater reservoir has a capacity of 2.4 billion gallons and is designed to serve the city in case of emergencies. The trail around the reservoir is 2.5 miles long and is perfect for a morning run or an evening stroll.
The leaders of Atlanta have honored the trail-blazing Mayor 14 years after she left office. The gesture of street and park naming is important as it will remind generations to come about Mayor Shirley Franklin’s impact and contributions to the city, immortalizing her legacy.
