Mention the Atlanta Beltline to a hundred different people, and you’ll get a hundred different responses – from “spectacular,” to “fun” to “congested.”
All of them are accurate.
But when I think of the Beltline, particularly the eastside segment, one word comes to mind: Love.
For those us who live near the Beltline, life has evolved, and a slow transformation has taken place. In 2014, Ponce City Market formally opened, and today, the eastside segment continues to welcome newcomers. There’s a brewery, even a grocery store with its own Beltline deck pub.
Our Beltline is a community, and I’ve seen many random acts of kindness along the Beltline.
Strangers have offered to share a water or juice with someone who had forgotten to pack their own or even scoured the trail helping someone find a lost item.
When my husband took an unexpected slip while walking our dog, a stranger next to him when he fell called me. (Fortunately, I answered that call from an unknown phone number, and my husband is just fine.)
While the Beltline isn’t perfect (issues range from affordable housing to Beltline courtesy) we need to be proud of the Beltline and remember that it’s often viewed with awe and envy by those outside of Atlanta.
A friend of mine, visiting from a large city in the Northeast, could not believe she was able to spend a day riding her bike along the Beltline.
“I’m biking right in the city,” she told me. “I’m safe, and the people are all so friendly — greeting and laughing with each other!” (Apparently, they’re a bit ruder up north.)
Our Beltline community also reflects our region’s diversity.
At any given time, there are people of different ages, speaking different languages, from different walks of life using the Beltline for different reasons.
They might be exercising, running an errand, people-watching, or simply getting from Point A to Point B.
If we want to protect the sense of culture and community the Beltline provides, safety and courtesy need to continue to be a priority.
Even amid the coronavirus, it’s still important to look forward. What will summer bring to the Beltline? And next year? And the next five years?
Realistically, we can expect bigger crowds with warmer weather. (Particularly during this uncertain time, as people look to get outside to enjoy nature and clear their heads.)
As word spreads about the Beltline’s beauty, more tourists and visitors will continue to join us as, and more business will continue to appear.
And as the Beltline circle is completed, we’ll have even more of a city gem.
That’s why, in my view, the Beltline is positive for Atlanta.
It draws both locals and visitors to come together, and it attracts new businesses. Our city’s reputation is enhanced, and we continue to laugh together as we pause to cross the Krog tunnel intersection.
The Beltline is now part of how Atlanta is defined — and how our city will be remembered by visitors. She’s evolving in a positive light as she ages — reflecting the beauty of our city, and the warmth of our people.
The Beltline reinforces and supports our love of the outdoors, our desire to move (not in cars), and, most importantly, our culture of friendliness, openness and caring.
Let’s never lose sight of that as we continue to enjoy each other — and our Beltline.
BECOME A COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR
This story was written by Cathy Lussiana, a community contributor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Lussiana lives in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. She is a retired human resources professional who now enjoys traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, biking and writing.
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BELTLINE ETIQUETTE
What can we do to make the Beltline even more friendly? Here are some of my thoughts:
• “Hug” the right: I’m not a runner, and I’ll ask just one question – why do so many of you like to run right down the middle?
• Recognize there are three lanes of flow – two directions of travel and a passing lane in the middle (for both ways). Yes, this means that your group of three or more probably cannot walk safely in one row.
• Always look both ways before you change lanes or direction – and don’t walk in front of someone who may be about to pass you.
• Ringing the bell doesn’t work, unless you want someone to turn around and say, “Where did that come from?”
• It’s important to watch your young children and dogs; this might not be the best place to learn to ride a bike or scooter, and typically, bikes and scooters shouldn’t ride in tandem.
• As for those scooters – yes, you with the motor! – we all know these were not part of the Beltline plan; yet, we can’t deny their popularity. The Beltline signs still read “no motors,” but they’ve become an important part of how we all interact on our Beltline.
CATHY LUSSIANA
About the Author
