Timeline of the BeltLine facts for kids

The BeltLine is a cool project in Atlanta, Georgia. It's a big loop of trails, parks, and future public transport that goes around the city. It's being built on old railroad lines. This timeline shows how the BeltLine has grown over the years.

Building the BeltLine Eastside Trail in 2012

1999

• A student named Ryan Gravel wrote his master's thesis about the idea of the BeltLine. This was the very first step!

2003

• Students from Georgia Tech studied if the BeltLine project was possible. They found that most people really wanted the project to happen. They shared their findings with the Atlanta City Council.

2004

• The Trust for Public Land shared a plan called the "Emerald Necklace." This plan showed how the BeltLine could connect many green spaces.

2005

• July — The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership was created. This group helps support the project.
• November 7 — The city council approved a special way to pay for the project. It's called a Tax Allocation District (TAD).
• December 12 — The Atlanta school board also approved the TAD. But later, a court said schools couldn't be part of this funding plan.
• December 21 — Fulton County leaders also approved the TAD.

2006

• April 19 — Fulton County approved selling the Bellwood Quarry. This land would become the future Westside Park.
• July — Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) was formed. This company helps manage the project.
• September 21 — A developer who owned part of the future BeltLine corridor wanted to build tall buildings there. Neighbors worked together to stop this. They wanted the land to be kept for trails and green space. The city agreed to keep the original plan.
• December 11 — MARTA, Atlanta's public transport system, suggested using rail service for the BeltLine. This would include modern streetcars or light rail.

2007

• January — A group was started to make sure there would be affordable homes near the BeltLine.
• February — New rules were approved to guide how buildings could be developed near the BeltLine.
• March — Groups were formed to help manage the funding for the BeltLine.
• March — Planning for the BeltLine started, with lots of input from the community.
• June 13 — The city bought land near Grant Park for a park called Boulevard Crossing.
• August 7 — Atlanta BeltLine Inc. bought the first section of the old railroad corridor.
• November 12 — Money was set aside to buy land for a new park near North Avenue.

2008

• February 23 — A groundbreaking event was held for the West End trail.
• Summer — Studies began to help the BeltLine get money from the federal government for transit.
• October 15 — Work began on the Historic Fourth Ward Park on North Avenue. This was the first park connected to the BeltLine.
• October — The first part of the West End Trail opened. It was about 1.5 miles long. Trees Atlanta also planted an arboretum (a collection of trees) along this trail.
• October — Money was set aside to help create affordable housing along the BeltLine.
• November — A statewide vote allowed school districts to join the BeltLine's funding plan. This meant Atlanta Public Schools could now help fund the project.

2009

• June — A plan was created to make sure the BeltLine project benefited everyone fairly.
• July — ABI made an agreement to use 3.5 miles of the BeltLine corridor in the southwest and Reynoldstown areas.
• December — Work started on the first trail. The new mayor, Kasim Reed, said he wanted the BeltLine finished in 10 years, not 25.

2010

• April — A 1-mile section of trail opened. It winds through Tanyard Creek Park and Louise G. Howard Park.
• May — "Art on the Atlanta BeltLine" started. This was the first time public art was shown on the BeltLine. The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade also began this year.
• June 19 — A large donation helped build a paved trail section from DeKalb Avenue to Ponce de Leon Avenue.
• July — The second part of the West End Trail opened, making it 2.5 miles long.
• October — ABI adopted rules to make sure the community benefited from the project.

2011

• May — D.H. Stanton Park, an 8-acre park on the BeltLine, reopened to the public.
• June — Historic Fourth Ward Park and its skatepark opened. It's about 17 acres in total.
• September — The first part of Boulevard Crossing Park opened. It's about 5 acres.
• September — The second annual "Art on the Atlanta BeltLine" exhibit was held.
• September — ABI bought a building to turn into affordable homes called the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing.
• December — ABI held a drawing for 28 new affordable homes at the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing.

2012

• April — The final Master Plan for the BeltLine area was approved. This finished a 5-year planning effort.
• May — A new splash pad opened in Perkerson Park.
• August — ABI adopted a policy to ensure fairness for all communities along the BeltLine.
• September — A big step was taken towards getting federal money for transit on the BeltLine.
• August — The CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. left due to disagreements about how money was being used.
• October 15 — The Eastside Trail opened to the public. This was the first trail built right on the old railroad corridor.

2013

• January — Work began on the first part of the Southwest Connector Trail.
• March — Walking tours of the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum started, led by Trees Atlanta.
• May — A new path was dedicated in Lang Carson Park.
• June — Paul Morris became the new CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
• July — Special police officers started patrolling the BeltLine parks and trails.
• August — The first part of the Southwest Connector Trail officially opened.
• August — Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. started working with the City of Atlanta on transport projects.
• September — The BeltLine received a large federal grant of $18 million. This money would help build the Westside Trail, a 2.5-mile path.
• September — Over 10,000 people came to the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade on the Eastside Trail.
• November — Free fitness classes started along the BeltLine.
• November — Atlanta BeltLine Bike Tours began.
• November — The Atlanta BeltLine online shop opened.

2014

• August 22 — The Eastside Trail Gateway opened. It connects Historic Fourth Ward Park to the BeltLine.

2017

• April 28 — A section of the Eastside Trail opened at Irwin.
• September — The Eastside Trail from Wylie east of Krog Street tunnel was finished and opened. It's about 0.4 miles long.
• September 29 — The Westside Trail officially opened. It's 3 miles long and connects University Avenue to Lena Avenue.
• October 17 — The last 13 acres of the northeast trail were bought from Norfolk Southern.
• October 23 — A section of the Eastside Trail between Edgewood and Irwin opened. It's about 0.3 miles long.

2018

• March 15 — The city announced it bought 4 miles of old rail corridor from CSX. This will become the Southside Trail, connecting the Eastside and Westside trails.

2019

• September — A $6 million donation was given to help connect the Silver Comet Trail to the Atlanta BeltLine.

2020

• July 8 — The Eastside Trail Gateway closed for construction. It will be replaced with stairs and an elevator.

Forthcoming

• More multi-use paths are planned for the BeltLine. These projects will receive funding from both federal and city sources.