Woodruff Park, Atlanta: How a Downtown Block Became a Civic Landmark

Woodruff Park sits in the heart of downtown Atlanta, but it’s more than just a green space with fountains and shade trees. Its history reflects the city’s growth, reinvention, and ongoing push to keep downtown active and welcoming.

If you live in Atlanta, work downtown, or are planning a visit, understanding the history of Woodruff Park helps explain why this relatively small park plays such a big role in the city’s story.

Where Woodruff Park Fits in Atlanta

Woodruff Park is located at 91 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, roughly between Auburn Avenue, Edgewood Avenue, and Peachtree Street, just a short walk from:

• Georgia State University’s downtown campus
• The Five Points MARTA Station
• Historic corridors like Auburn Avenue and Fairlie-Poplar

Today the park is managed by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District in coordination with the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation. But the land itself has been central to Atlanta’s story for well over a century.

Before It Was Woodruff Park: Early Downtown Atlanta Roots

Long before the park was created, this part of downtown developed around:

• Railroads and commerce in the mid-1800s
• Businesses and banks clustering along Peachtree Street
• The city center shifting around what’s now Five Points

After the Civil War, Atlanta rebuilt rapidly. The area that would become Woodruff Park was dense with commercial buildings, offices, and retail. There was no major public park here yet—just streets, storefronts, and growing foot traffic.

By the early and mid-1900s, this section of Peachtree was considered prime real estate, home to office towers and department stores serving commuters and city workers. But like many American downtowns, the area later faced economic shifts, suburbanization, and changes in how people used the city center.

The Gift that Created Woodruff Park

The park exists today largely because of a single, transformative gift.

Robert W. Woodruff’s Role

Robert W. Woodruff, the longtime leader of The Coca‑Cola Company and a major Atlanta philanthropist, quietly helped reshape this area in the 1960s and 1970s. Through a charitable foundation, he:

• Purchased key downtown properties near Five Points
• Donated the land to the City of Atlanta
• Intended it to become a public park and civic space

This donation was part of a broader pattern of Woodruff-supported projects across Atlanta, including cultural and educational institutions. The park that emerged downtown was later named in his honor: Woodruff Park.

Why a Park Here?

Planners and civic leaders saw a downtown park as a way to:

• Bring green space into the concrete core of the city
• Provide a central gathering spot for workers, students, and residents
• Support efforts to revitalize downtown and keep it a destination

Instead of preserving another set of office buildings, Atlanta gained a central plaza-like park symbolizing renewal and public investment.

Key Phases in Woodruff Park’s Development

You can think of Woodruff Park’s history in a few major phases:

Each phase reflects how Atlanta’s priorities changed: from commerce-only to a mix of business, education, tourism, and residential living downtown.

Landmarks Inside the Park and What They Represent

If you walk through Woodruff Park today, several features echo its history and role in the city.

The International Peace Fountain

One of the park’s most recognizable elements is the International Peace Fountain, a circular fountain with cascading water and seating around it. It symbolizes:

• Atlanta’s self-image as an international city
• The city’s emphasis on peaceful progress and cooperation
• A gathering place where people from many backgrounds cross paths

The fountain is a typical lunchtime and photo spot for students, office workers, and visitors.

The Gazebo and Plazas

The gazebo and open paved plazas host:

• Small performances and gatherings
• Informal meet-ups and seating
• Occasional programmatic events and markets

These structures reflect the park’s civic-plaza character—it’s as much about people-watching, events, and activity as it is about grass and trees.

Playgrounds and Fitness Areas

Over time, improvements have added:

• A children’s play area
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• More seating and shaded spots

These updates reflect a newer chapter in Woodruff Park’s history: designing for everyday use by residents, not only workers and tourists.

Woodruff Park and the Growth of Georgia State University

One of the biggest forces shaping the park’s modern history is Georgia State University (GSU).

From Commuter Campus to Downtown Neighbor

As GSU expanded its downtown footprint—adding more classroom buildings, housing, and student services—Woodruff Park became a kind of front yard for thousands of students. Over the past few decades:

• More students started walking through and studying in the park
• GSU-adjacent buildings and services increased nearby
• The park began to feel less like a pass-through and more like a shared campus-adjacent space

For anyone connected to GSU, the park’s history is tied to the story of the university becoming a highly visible presence in downtown Atlanta.

Civic Life, Protests, and Public Expression

Like many central city parks, Woodruff Park has often functioned as a stage for public life in Atlanta.

Over the years, the park and its immediate surroundings have hosted:

• Rallies and political demonstrations
• Vigils and community gatherings
• Public cultural and awareness events

Its location near City Hall, the State Capitol area, and major downtown institutions makes it a logical meeting point when Atlanta residents want to be visible and heard.

This civic role is an important part of the park’s identity—it’s not just decorative green space; it’s a place where Atlanta’s public voice frequently gathers.

Revitalization, Safety, and Programming Over Time

As downtown Atlanta’s fortunes have risen and fallen, local leaders have repeatedly turned to Woodruff Park as both a symbol and a tool for revitalization.

Responding to Urban Challenges

Like many urban parks, Woodruff Park has had to respond to ongoing issues such as:

• Balancing the needs of office workers, students, visitors, and unhoused residents
• Addressing concerns about safety, cleanliness, and maintenance
• Ensuring the park doesn’t feel “empty” or underused during off-peak times

Over time, the strategy has emphasized activation—bringing people and programming into the park to create a safer, more welcoming environment.

Events and Everyday Activity

In recent years, Woodruff Park has been known for regularly scheduled activities, which may include:

• Fitness classes and yoga sessions
• Lunchtime concerts or live performances
• Seasonal events, small festivals, and family activities
• Pop-up art installations or interactive games

These types of activities are part of a broader movement in Atlanta to treat parks as “living rooms” for the city, especially in dense, commercial neighborhoods that lack large backyards or private outdoor spaces.

Woodruff Park’s Role in Downtown Tourism and Walkability

If you’re exploring downtown attractions, there is a good chance you’ll pass through Woodruff Park without even planning to.

Near Key Downtown Destinations

The park sits within easy walking distance of:

• Five Points MARTA Station
• Georgia State University buildings and student housing
• The Fairlie-Poplar historic district
• The Sweet Auburn area, via a short walk east
• Numerous office towers, hotels, and restaurants

For visitors, Woodruff Park often serves as a resting point between museums, historic sites, and entertainment districts. For locals, it can be part of a daily walking route to work, class, or transit.

A Gateway Between Old and New Atlanta

Geographically and symbolically, the park connects:

• The historic Auburn Avenue corridor—with its deep civil rights history
• The more commercial Peachtree spine of downtown
• The campus-oriented environment of Georgia State University

That makes Woodruff Park a literal and figurative crossroads of Old Atlanta and New Atlanta.

How the Park Is Managed Today

Understanding how Woodruff Park is managed can help if you’re planning an event, interested in volunteering, or simply curious who maintains the space.

City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation

The park is part of the City of Atlanta’s public park system, overseen by:

City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line (commonly listed): (404) 546-6813

This department is responsible for policy, permits, and coordination across the city’s parks.

Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID)

Day-to-day activation, maintenance support, and programming in Woodruff Park are heavily influenced by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, which works closely with the city to:

• Coordinate cleaning and landscaping
• Organize or support events and programs
• Promote safety and a welcoming atmosphere in the wider downtown area

If you’re interested in hosting an event, participating in programs, or learning about upcoming activities in Woodruff Park, ADID and downtown-focused organizations are key points of contact.

What the History of Woodruff Park Means for Atlantans Today

When you sit on a bench in Woodruff Park, you’re in the middle of a story that includes:

• The rebirth of downtown after earlier economic shifts
• A major philanthropic gift reshaping how the city uses its core
• The rise of Georgia State University as a downtown driver
• The ongoing effort to keep Atlanta’s center active, walkable, and welcoming

For residents, the park’s history explains why this space is such a focal point when conversations turn to downtown quality of life, public investment, and what kind of city Atlanta wants to be.

For visitors, knowing this background can help you see Woodruff Park not just as a pretty patch of grass, but as a civic landmark—a small but significant piece of how Atlanta continues to evolve.