Murphey Candler Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Murphey Candler Park |
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The lake at 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 big 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 the park.
This park has lots of cool things to do. You can find sports fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a playground, and picnic spots. There's also a lake and trails for exploring. Many kids play sports here, like baseball, softball, and football.
The lake at Murphey Candler Park is a great place for fishing. It's home to different kinds of fish, including largemouth bass and catfish. You might also see Canada Geese, Mallard ducks, and even beavers living around the lake!
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Park History
The idea for Murphey Candler Park started in 1950. Two people, Mr. Fred Wilson and Mr. & Mrs. M. A. Long, wanted to donate land for a park. Many local groups and organizations supported the idea.
In 1952, DeKalb County bought the 135 acres of land. They planned to build a park for the communities in North DeKalb. The park was named after Charles Murphey Candler. He was a respected state leader and a good friend of Fred Wilson. Charles Murphey Candler was the father of Scott Candler, who was in charge of DeKalb County at the time.
The park officially began on January 31, 1954, with a special ceremony. Back then, there wasn't a road to the park yet. So, the ceremony happened where the main road, West Nancy Creek Drive, would be built. Soon after, other roads were finished, making it easy for everyone to visit the new park.
For many years, Murphey Candler Park was the only large park in this area. It served towns like Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Chamblee. Today, it's still the biggest park in North DeKalb.
Murphey Candler Lake
The lake at Murphey Candler Park has a history of its own! In the early 1970s, a big flood caused problems with the lake's dam. To fix it and keep everyone safe, DeKalb County had to drain the lake. They also dug out the bottom to make repairs.
Later, in the 1990s, the lake had problems again. Lots of dirt and mud built up from construction nearby. The lake was drained and cleaned out again in 1998. This time, the water flow system was changed to help prevent future flooding.
Even with these changes, heavy rains can still cause high water levels. The county has worked to make sure bridges downstream can handle floods better.
Youth Sports Programs
Murphey Candler Park is a hub for youth sports. Many kids learn and play football, baseball, and softball here.
Football Fun
The Atlanta Colts Youth Association (ACYA) started at Murphey Candler Park in 1965. It was founded by Robert Johnson. ACYA offers football programs for kids from 1st to 7th grade. They have different teams, including travel teams and flag football. Girls in 1st to 7th grade can also join cheerleading. The Atlanta Colts have won many championships over the years!
Baseball Action
Murphey Candler Baseball (MCB) is a program for kids aged 4 to 12. It started in 1958 and is run by volunteers. MCB is part of the Dizzy Dean Baseball league. Players come from many nearby areas like Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Sandy Springs. MCB teams have won several state and district championships!
Softball Power
Murphey Candler Girls Fastpitch, also known as MCGSA, offers softball for girls aged 5 to 16. They have travel teams and also offer T-ball for younger players. MCGSA began in 1968. It was the very first girls' fastpitch softball program in Atlanta!
Swimming Dynamos
The Murphey Candler Pool was once a very special place. When it was built, it was the only true 50-meter Olympic-size outdoor pool in Georgia! The Murphey Candler Swim Team competed against other local teams.
The Dynamo Swim Club started at this pool in 1964. Dynamo swimmers have achieved amazing things. They've won state, regional, and national titles. They've even set national records! When the Murphey Candler pool changed and was no longer Olympic-sized, the Dynamos moved to a new training center.
Park Neighborhood
Murphey Candler Park is also the name of the neighborhood around the park. Homes in this area were built from 1954 to about 1970. Many of them are two-story houses or ranch-style homes.
The neighborhood has clear boundaries. It's bordered by Dunwoody to the north and Chamblee to the east. Two schools are located in the neighborhood: Montgomery Elementary School and Kittredge Magnet School. Students from this area often go on to Chamblee Charter High School.
