20 Years of Generational Impact

Twenty years ago, the Atlanta Beltline began as a bold vision. Today, it stands as proof of what's possible when vision meets action—creating generational impact that has transformed Atlanta. But the work isn't finished yet. What will the next 20 years bring?

As we approach Giving Tuesday on December 2, the Beltline is celebrating two decades of dreaming, doing and delivering while looking ahead to the next chapter of Atlanta's story. 

And that next chapter needs you.

Building the Beltline's infrastructure—12.8 miles of trail and nearly $10 billion in catalyzed economic development—has required diverse funding: public investment through the Tax Allocation District (TAD), federal grants, philanthropic support and more. But there's a vital side of the Beltline that depends specifically on private donations: the programs and amenities that bring the trail to life.

Your donations power the experiences that make the Beltline more than just a trail. They fund over 500 free fitness classes each year, ensuring that health and wellness aren't luxuries but are accessible for all Atlantans. They support the Legacy Resident Retention Program, which has helped more than 270 homeowners afford property tax increases so they can remain in neighborhoods they call home. They enable local entrepreneurs to operate in affordable storefronts through the Atlanta Beltline Marketplace, and they bring art installations to life along the corridor.

Breaking Ground on the Future

This year's Giving Tuesday comes at an especially exciting moment. The Beltline is preparing to break ground on the Bike Park at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, the first mountain bike park inside Atlanta's city limits. This one-of-a-kind project will feature 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails, a pump track, jump lines, a skills course and a bicycle playground, creating a destination for riders of all ages and skill levels.

Design work is nearing completion, and thanks in part to a generous lead gift from the Chestnut Family Foundation, the Bike Park (phase 1) will break ground in late 2025. But additional funds are still needed to build the trails (phase 2), which will begin construction once funding is secured.

The Bike Park represents the kind of innovative, community-serving amenity that sets the Beltline apart. It will be unlike anything Atlanta has seen, a space where beginners and experienced riders alike can challenge themselves, where families can spend afternoons together, and where the city's cycling culture can continue to flourish.

Over 20 years, more than 4,400 donors large and small have contributed more than $240 million to support the Beltline vision, with transformational support from philanthropic leaders including the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, James M. Cox Foundation and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

This generosity has helped deliver measurable results: 

• 2.5 million people now visit the Beltline annually. 

• Thousands of people have taken part in weekly Run Clubs, which have fostered fitness and friendship across seven rotating locations. 

• Hundreds of Atlantans have participated in home empowerment workshops, learning how to build financial stability and create pathways to homeownership. 

Perhaps most importantly, donor support has helped ensure that the Beltline's transformation benefits everyone.

Join the Next Chapter

This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to be part of Atlanta's ongoing transformation. Whether you're supporting trail construction, community programs, legacy resident retention or the forthcoming Bike Park, every contribution helps write the next 20 years of the Beltline story.

So what will the Beltline’s next chapter bring? That answer depends on all of us. Visit https://beltline.org/support/donate/ to make your Giving Tuesday gift and keep Atlanta's most transformative project moving forward.