The Story of North Highland Park

North Highland Park sits on the former site of the Highland Branch of the Atlanta Public Library. Built in 1952 on what had been two residential lots and expanded in 1976, the Highland Branch served the neighborhood for decades as both a library and a gathering place, hosting community programs and meetings and even serving as a polling place.

After the branch was demolished in 1990, the corner sat vacant—passing through several private owners as two empty lots—until 2008, when neighbors recognized an opportunity to preserve it as permanent green space rather than see it become another private development site. It was zoned as R4 for residential.

At the time, the City of Atlanta was not in a position to take a parcel of less than two acres into its parks portfolio, and Fulton County was not interested either. An inspired group of VHCA leaders stepped in—never as developers, and never with any interest in development, but simply to secure a welcoming green space for neighbors. VHCA purchased the property for approximately $800,000, financed through a special low-rate loan from the State of Georgia's Land Conservation Fund. That loan was paid off early, thanks to the large donation from one neighbor and successful Summerfest proceeds for several years in a row.

The park was designed as an eco-friendly rain garden that keeps stormwater on the property rather than sending it into the storm sewer. An additional $140,000 was raised through donations—including the sale of commemorative bricks still embedded in the sidewalks—to fund construction. The park opened to neighbors in 2013 and has been a beloved green space for gatherings, recreation, and quiet moments ever since!