Butler Park Recreation Center
Butler Park Recreation Center Map
About Butler Park Recreation Center in Atlanta
Selena S. Butler Park is a 3.5-acre community park located in Atlanta's Auburn Avenue District. The park is bordered by Williams Holmes Borders Sr. Drive, Hilliard Street, and Tanner Street. It is situated in close proximity to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, placing it in an area rich with African-American history.
The park is named after Selena Sloan Butler (1872-1964), a prominent community activist, educator, and one of the key founding members of the National Parent-Teacher Association. Butler was a native Georgian who made significant contributions to education and community development.
In 2011, Selena S. Butler Park underwent a major revitalization project led by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in collaboration with the Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and the Atlanta Housing Authority. The project was officially launched on June 8, 2011, and culminated with a grand reopening on November 2, 2011.
The revitalized park now offers a range of facilities for community use, including sports courts, a playground, and areas for relaxation and community gatherings. The park's renovation was designed to provide advantages of green space and improve the quality of life for children, adults, and senior citizens within the surrounding community.
As part of the revitalization project, NRPA commissioned Appalachian State University and East Carolina University to conduct long-term research to demonstrate how the park's renovation would connect the surrounding community and positively contribute to the health and vitality of the area.