An historic East Point park closed last year for safety and health reasons reopens this evening.

Local and state dignitaries are scheduled to attend the 6 p.m. grand re-opening of Center Park at the intersection of Pearl Street and West Taylor Avenue. Expected dignataries include East Point Mayor Jannquell Peters, Mayor Pro Tem Alexander Gothard, East Point City Councilwoman Sharon Shropshire; state Senator Vincent Fort and Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington.

Center Park was a popular meeting place for decades until the early 2000s when it began plagued flooding due to a collapsed storm drain pipe flowing into a creek behind the park. The flooding made the park a haven for poisonous snakes, beavers and other animals. The park ultimately was deemed a safety hazard.

The Departments of Public Works and Water and Sewer initiated a Storm Water Improvement and Sewer Rehabilitation Project, which was funded in part by a $485,000 federal grant from United States Environmental Protection Agency. East Point officials also contributed $105,834 in matching funds for the project.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com