Murphey Candler Park
Quick facts for kids Murphey Candler Park |
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| Type | Multi-use |
| Location | 1551 West Nancy Creek Drive Brookhaven, Georgia |
| Area | 135 acres (55 ha) |
| Created | 1954 |
| Open | All year |
Murphey Candler Park is a large, fun park in Brookhaven, Georgia, United States. It covers 135 acres, which is about the size of 100 football fields! The City of Brookhaven owns and takes care of this park.
You can find many cool things to do here. There are sports fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a playground. Families can enjoy picnic areas. The park also has a beautiful lake and trails for walking. Kids can join baseball, softball, and football teams that play at the park. The lake is a great spot for fishing, with fish like largemouth bass and bluegill. You might also see Canada Geese, Mallard ducks, and even beavers living there!
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Park History
The idea for Murphey Candler Park started in 1950. Two generous people, Mr. Fred Wilson and Mr. & Mrs. M. A. Long, offered to donate land. Many local groups and organizations supported the idea of creating a big park for the community.
In 1952, DeKalb County bought the 135 acres of land. They wanted to build a park for the towns in North DeKalb. The park was named after Charles Murphey Candler. He was a respected state leader and a good friend of Fred Wilson.
The park officially began on January 31, 1954, with a special ceremony. At that time, there wasn't even a road to the park! So, the ceremony happened where the main road, West Nancy Creek Drive, would later be built. Soon after, other roads like East Nancy Creek Drive were finished. This made it easy for everyone to visit the new park. For many years, Murphey Candler Park was the biggest park in the North DeKalb area.
Exploring Murphey Candler Lake
Murphey Candler Lake has an interesting past. In the early 1970s, a very heavy rainstorm caused the lake's dam to leak. To fix it, the county had to drain the lake and clean out the bottom. They also made sure that water from nearby shopping areas would flow away from the lake. The dam was made stronger, and a special drain was added to help prevent future floods.
Later, in the early 1990s, a lot of building work nearby caused the lake to fill with too much dirt and mud. The lake was drained and cleaned again in 1998. The way water flowed out of the lake was also changed to make it look more natural and beautiful.
Over the years, the lake has needed regular care to manage silt buildup and ensure it remains a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.
Fun Youth Sports
Murphey Candler Park is a hub for youth sports, offering many ways for kids to play and stay active!
Football Fun
The Atlanta Colts Youth Association (ACYA) started at Murphey Candler Park in 1965. They offer football programs for kids in grades 1 through 7. You can join traveling teams, play in local leagues, or try flag football. Girls in grades 1 through 7 can also join cheerleading. The ACYA teams have won many championships over the years!
Baseball Action
Murphey Candler Baseball (MCB) is a volunteer-run program that began in 1958. It's for children aged 4 to 12. MCB helps kids learn and play baseball in a fun environment. Players come from many nearby towns like Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Doraville. Their tournament teams have won several state and district championships!
Softball Stars
Murphey Candler Girls Fastpitch, also known as MCGSA, offers softball for girls aged 5 to 16. They have traveling teams and also t-ball for younger players. MCGSA started in 1968 and was the first girls' fastpitch softball program in the Atlanta area. It's a great place for girls to learn and love softball!
Swimming Champions
The Murphey Candler Pool was once a very special place. When it was built, it was the only 50-meter outdoor Olympic-size pool in Georgia! It was home to the Murphey Candler Swim Team. The famous Dynamo Swim Club also started here in 1964. Dynamo swimmers have achieved amazing success, winning many state, regional, and national titles. They even set national records!
Later, the pool needed repairs and was changed, so it was no longer Olympic-sized. Because of this, the Dynamo Swim Club moved to a new training center in Chamblee, Georgia.
The Murphey Candler Neighborhood
The area around the park is also called Murphey Candler Park. Homes in this neighborhood were built between 1954 and 1970. Most of them are traditional two-story houses or ranch-style homes. It's a lovely place to live, right next to a wonderful park!
