Centennial Olympic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Centennial Olympic Park |
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Centennial Olympic Park logo
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| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Area | 21 acres (85,000 m2) |
| Created | 1996 |
| Operated by | Georgia World Congress Center Authority |
| Open | Daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. including holidays, unless otherwise specified for a private event. |
| Status | Closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia |
Centennial Olympic Park is a large public park in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It covers about 22-acre (89,000 m2) of land. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority owns and runs the park.
This park was built for the 1996 Summer Olympics. It was a central gathering place for visitors during the games. Today, millions of people visit the park each year. It hosts many events, like summer music concerts and an annual Independence Day fireworks show.
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Park History
Before the park was built, this area had empty lots and old, unused buildings. Billy Payne, who led the group planning the Atlanta Olympics, had the idea for the park. He wanted it to be a main meeting spot for people during the Olympics. He also wanted it to be a lasting gift for the city of Atlanta.
Because the park would be seen by the whole world, a design contest was held. The team of Landscape Architect EDAW and Beers/Russell won the contest. They designed and built the park.
Building the Park
Centennial Olympic Park was built in two main stages. The first stage finished in July 1996. This was just in time for the 1996 Summer Olympics. This part cost about $28 million. During the Olympics, the park had sponsor displays and entertainment. It was also a popular place for trading Olympic pins.
The second stage of building happened after the Olympics. It was completed in 1998 and cost about $15 million.
Important Events at the Park
During the Olympics, a sad event happened at the park. A bomb exploded on July 27, causing injuries and two deaths. After this, security was made much stronger at the park and all Olympic venues. They started checking bags and using metal detectors at all entrances. The park was closed for a short time after the Olympics for updates, like adding grass. It reopened in the spring of 1998.
On March 14, 2008, a tornado hit downtown Atlanta. The park had some minor damage. Two of its 65 foot (20 m) tall light towers fell down. This was the first tornado to hit downtown Atlanta since weather records began in the 1880s.
On July 16, 2016, the park celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 1996 Olympics and Paralympics. There was a reunion for volunteers and a fireworks show. Later that year, a special commemorative plaque honoring the games was put up.
On May 29, 2020, a protest started at Centennial Olympic Park. It was meant to be peaceful, but it became disorderly. This led to damage and looting in some nearby buildings.
Since July 2020, the park has been closed to the public. This is because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia. The park's director explained that the park needs money from events at the Georgia World Congress Center to stay open.
Park Location
The park is surrounded by many famous Atlanta places. The Georgia World Congress Center, College Football Hall of Fame, State Farm Arena, the CNN Center, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium are to the west. The Georgia Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the World of Coca-Cola are to the north.
The park is bordered by Marietta Street to the west and Baker Street to the north. Centennial Olympic Park Drive is on its east and south sides. Andrew Young International Boulevard, named after a former Atlanta mayor, runs through the southern part of the park. The area around the park is often called the Luckie Marietta District.
The Atlanta Streetcar runs along the east side of the park. There is a streetcar stop for the park on Centennial Olympic Drive.
Park Features
A very special part of the park is the Fountain of Rings. This is an interactive fountain with lights and water jets. They move to music played from speakers around the fountain. It's a fun place for kids to play in the water. It's also a cool spot for people to relax on hot days.
The fountain has 251 jets that shoot water 12 to 35 feet (3.7 to 10.7 m) high. It creates a beautiful water sculpture. This fountain has inspired similar designs in other cities, like Dundas Square in Toronto and the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Around the fountain, you'll see flags from countries that have hosted the Summer Olympics before 1996. There are also eight 65-foot-tall (20 m) light towers. They look like old Greek columns.
You can find several sculptures throughout the park. One is Gateway of Dreams. It honors Pierre de Coubertin, who started the modern Olympic movement. There is also a small amphitheatre at the south end of the park.
The Fountain of Rings has shows every day of the year, four times a day. You can see them at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.
In July 2013, a large Ferris wheel called SkyView Atlanta opened across the street from the park. This 200-foot (61 m) wheel has 42 air-conditioned cars. From the top, you can see amazing views of the park and the city.
Engraved Bricks
Part of the money to build the park came from thousands of people. They bought bricks with short messages engraved on them. These bricks were then placed as pavers all over the park. Each brick cost $35. You could have 15 characters on each of two lines.
The finished bricks were laid in groups of light (tan) and dark (brick red) colors. They make up a big part of the 800,000 bricks used in the park. Many people who bought bricks also ordered copies to keep as souvenirs.
How the Park Helps the Economy
Centennial Olympic Park has helped new buildings and businesses grow in downtown Atlanta. The new World of Coca-Cola opened in 2007 next to the Georgia Aquarium. The Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta opened in 2004.
Other important places around the park include The Georgia World Congress Center, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Atlanta Apparel Mart, the Omni Hotel, the Tabernacle, SkyView Atlanta, the CNN Center, the College Football Hall of Fame, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In 2016, the park won an award for its positive impact on the economy. Centennial Olympic Park has attracted over $2.4 billion in investments since it opened in 1996.
Images for kids
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Olympic Rings at Centennial Olympic Park
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Tornado damage to Centennial Olympic Park (you can see the base of a fallen light tower)
See also
In Spanish: Parque Olímpico del Centenario para niños
