Deepdene Park

Deepdene Park is a 22-acre woodland, distinctly different from the other five parks in the linear park along Ponce de Leon Avenue. Deepdene's forested character is a contrast to the open, grassy landscape found in the other five parks. Olmsted's vision for Deepdene was to provide Atlanta's growing urban population with access to a Piedmont Forest. Deepdene provides a picturesque experience with its rugged land forms and scenic vistas while the other five parks offer a pastoral experience with gently rolling hills and open space., Over the past century the park's interior suffered greatly. Invasive, non-native plants grew rampantly on the forest floor, suppressing native saplings and perennial plants. Deepdene's stream channel suffered from excessive erosion as its watershed became increasingly urbanized. In particular, the construction of East Lake Drive at Ponce de Leon Avenue added fifteen feet of soil on top of a pipe through which storm water flows., Despite the damage, Deepdene has retained its unique quality; for the most part the park remains in its natural state. A new trail system provides access to the park's rugged land and dense vegetation. The invasive, non-native plants have been removed providing an opportunity for a new generation of native plants to grow; and a maintenance program will continue to keep the invasives suppressed. These changes offer a unique experience: access to a Piedmont Forest regaining its health. Over time, Deepdene Park will become the "heart and lungs" of the linear park., The Pastoral , The picturesque aesthetic found in Deepdene Park reflects Olmsted's theory of park design. This aesthetic includes three key elements: the lush use of vegetation, a series of vistas, and planned, enhanced access that brings the visitor into the experience., Olmsted often created a picturesque experience where none existed. The unique qualities of the Ramble and the Ravine in New York's Central Park are manmade because little of Manhattan's primeval forest remained in 1852. By contrast, the steep, rocky landscape of Deepdene Park was not created, but preserved. It is a natural expression of Olmsted's picturesque vision. The forest has a canopy of tall trees that provides deep summer shade with small glades that host perennial plant species on the forest floor. With the exception of the pastoral Mead, Promenade, and West End, this picturesque park stands in contrast to the other five pastoral parks along Ponce de Leon Avenue. Deepdene's new path system follows Olmsted's vision by offering visitors improved access and scenic vistas throughout the park. Routes were carefully chosen to sensitively respond to the landscape and to provide walking access to visitors., Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. (1822-1903) is the acknowledged founder of American landscape architecture. The term "landscape architect" was coined to describe his work in creating Central Park in New York City. The success of that historic commission launched Olmsted into a career that would enrich the lives of generations of Americans through the design of magnificent public spaces. In Atlanta, his most visible legacy is the linear park system along Ponce de Leon Avenue. These parks form the back bone of the Druid Hills neighborhood, the last suburb he designed prior to his retirement., (captions) , Natural Crossvein in Deepdane Park (Photo courtesy Marc del Santo) , Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., circa, 1890. National Park Service, FL. Olmsted National Historic Sita. Brookline, MA