Vice President Public Relations and Marketing Communications

ATLANTA — Georgia State unveiled the new look of Hurt Park, a City of Atlanta property in the heart of the university’s Atlanta Campus.

Georgia State President M. Brian Blake, First Lady Bridget Blake and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (M.P.A. ’13) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 23 at the park.

A nearly 2-acre triangular park bordered by Edgewood Avenue and Courtland and Gilmer streets, just steps from Georgia State’s Student Center and other major facilities, Hurt Park is owned by the City of Atlanta but maintained by Georgia State.

“Hurt Park has the distinction of being the place where the city of Atlanta meets Georgia State,” Dickens said. “This place is vital to the campus and vital to the city, and I’m thankful for this partnership with Georgia State.”

Georgia State’s two-year renovation of the park included overhauling its prominent fountain, which hasn’t been operable in years, with new pumps, water filters and LED lighting. Georgia State also upgraded the lighting throughout the park, repaired granite stairs, added pedestrian walkways and irrigation, corrected drainage issues and replaced and enhanced the turf and landscaping.

“Hurt Park is an important facility for the Georgia State community, and we have been delighted over the past two years to partner with the City of Atlanta to make it even more integral to our campus,” Blake said. “These improvements will make sure it’s a vital part of the student experience at Georgia State for years to come.”

The Hurt Park ribbon-cutting party from left: Georgia State First Lady Dr. Bridget Blake, Georgia State President Dr. M. Brian Blake, Mayor Andre Dickens, Student Government President Anthonio Prince, Vice President of Student Engagement Michael Sanseviro and Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler.

The park also now features a permanent concrete stage for outdoor programs and performances. Blended into the landscaping to create a natural amphitheater setting, the stage means those reserving the park no longer need city permits for temporary staging, said Vice President for Facilities Management Services Ramesh Vakamudi.

“These renovations restore the former glory of the park,” Vakamudi said. “Parks like Hurt Park are an essential element of city life for the campus and the community, and these improvements enhance the visibility of the park and activities within it.”

New lighting, stairways, walkways and handrails also enhance the safety of park goers, he said.

Events hosted by members of the Georgia State community are scheduled through Student Center Event Management. Those not connected to Georgia State request use of the park through the city.

“We are so excited for Hurt Park to come back online, restored to its original glory,” said Michael L. Sanseviro, vice president for Student Engagement at Georgia State. “This park is at the heart of our Atlanta Campus and has a rich history as a gathering and entertainment hub for our entire Georgia State community. From Greek step shows to student organization fairs to stress-relieving recreational activities, we look forward to the vibrant engagement this space provides.”

Photos by Meg Buscema Video by William Davis and Riki Prosper Kujanpaa

Filed Under: Campus News Tagged With: home-feature

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