Zonolite Park

Zonolite Park is a 13-acre green space located in the Morningside neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. The park is named after the insulation company that once used the site for manufacturing. Abandoned in 2009, the land was contaminated with asbestos and overgrown with invasive plants. In 2011, after persistent efforts from neighbors and the South Fork Conservancy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DeKalb County began a $2 million cleanup process to remove the contaminated soil.

Following the cleanup, the park underwent ecological restoration. The complex grading and restoration design by Sylvatica Studio's Susan Stainback created a sloping meadow with a retention pond, which cleanses rainwater before it reaches the creek. The park now features a variety of ecosystems, including an old-growth forest, a sunny meadow, small rivulets, and a wetland garden.

Zonolite Park offers 1.5 miles of gravel trails through its diverse landscape. The creek's sandy beach-like banks provide visitors with an up-close view of the water. Wildlife enthusiasts can observe various species, including deer, fish, frogs, and birds – notably a pair of Great Blue Herons, as well as songbirds and hawks.

The park is part of a larger green corridor that includes the Morningside Nature Preserve and Herbert Taylor Park-Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve. It serves as an important link in the South Fork Conservancy's vision to connect trails and neighborhoods along the southern fork of Peachtree Creek.

Zonolite Park has become a haven for nature lovers and a testament to successful environmental restoration. It offers visitors a chance to experience a variety of natural habitats and enjoy outdoor activities within the city limits of Atlanta.