Dean Rusk Park

Dean Rusk Park is a public green space located in southwest Atlanta, Georgia at the intersection of Sells Avenue and Lawton Street. The park encompasses approximately 6.72 acres and serves as a neighborhood park for the Ashview Heights community.

A prominent feature of Dean Rusk Park is its water retention pond, which residents affectionately refer to as the Ashview Heights "lake". In 2021, this pond was upgraded to become Atlanta's first "smart pond" through a $1.9 million project by the Department of Watershed Management. The improvements increased the pond's storage capacity and implemented a monitoring system to manage water depth, along with adding green infrastructure like rain gardens to capture runoff.

In late 2023, the park underwent further enhancements made possible by a $300,000 grant from Park Pride Atlanta. These upgrades included the addition of a new pavilion with a stone grilling station, outdoor fitness equipment, and a natural stone staircase connecting the upper level of the park to a path circling the retention pond.

Dean Rusk Park provides a serene urban oasis for local residents, offering lush green spaces and walking trails. The park plays an important role in stormwater management for the Ashview Heights and Booker T. Washington neighborhoods, as the retention pond was originally constructed in 2003 to address flooding issues in the area.