With the 2012 Summer Games scheduled to get under way in London later this month, it's time to revisit arguably Atlanta's most recognizable and enduring Olympic legacy — Centennial Olympic Park. Conceived as a town square for the city, the 21-acre green space that replaced some very sketchy blocks is now approaching its teenage years. It has grown up fast. As other venues from the 1996 Games continue to struggle for purpose, Centennial Olympic Park draws more than 3 million visitors a year, many of them kids shrieking with laughter as they dodge and weave through sprays of water that play opossum in the Fountain of Rings. Fresh from pulling off the Fourth of July Spectacular at Centennial Olympic Park, Joe Skopitz, assistant general manager, provides insight on why the park not only has survived, but has, in fact, lived up to its vision.
Q: How has the park changed since the 1996 Games?
A: If you were comparing pictures of then and now, people would notice the maturation of the green space. In 1996, someone might have thought that the trees were kind of sparse. The master plan always took into account that 10-to-15 years down the line, the park was going to grow into a seamless space. The other thing is the evolution of all of our events in the park. We have grown to over 215 event days a year, from ice rinks to children's festivals, from the Fourth of July to our concerts.
Q: Given where it was, many skeptics thought the park would never make it. Why has it worked?
A: So many cities, especially those associated with the Olympic Games, have had trouble with their facilities lasting. Ours has lasted because of the three things we do every day — we are clean, we are safe and we are actively programmed. If facilities are not used on a daily basis, then they sit empty and that is not good for anyone. We also are next to the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena and some attractions so there is a built-in crowd that is walking through or around us every day.
Q: How important has the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola been to the park's success?
A: Anytime you can have world-class attractions like those two, it absolutely helps. Just as important are the hotels around us and the restaurants that are supporting them and the Class A office spaces that the American Cancer Society has moved into.
Q: What do people tell you that they don't like about the park?
A: The only thing we hear across the board is that people might like a little more shade.
Q: Any plans to make the park shadier?
A: Certain areas of the park are designed to be shaded seating areas. At the same time, we knew we wanted to do large scale concerts and festivals. You can't do both. So with the main lawn, we plan to remain open so we can host large concerts.
Q: You talked about park safety but the park turned into a site of tragedy during the Games when pipe bombs killed two people and injured more than 100 others. Does that sad event get lost among fountains and free concerts?
A: The Quilt of Remembrance on the park's east side tells the entire story of the bombing. It is definitely a part of our history and the history of the Olympic Games. It is not at the forefront of people's memory because a lot of it has been resolved.
Q: What is the park's main draw?
A: Probably the Fountain of Rings. You will see people who are local and folks from out of town. It really is the centerpiece of what we do every day.
Q: Other spraygrounds around the city charge a fee. Any thought of that?
A: It would be pretty difficult. If you have to buy a ticket to get wet, it takes all of the spontaneity out of it.
The Sunday conversation is edited for length and clarity. Writer Ann Hardie can be reached by email at ann.hardie@ymail.com.
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