Deepdene, the largest segment, forms the
eastern end of the Linear Park. Unlike the five pastoral
segments, it is a wooded tract with a stream winding through
its 22 acres and a topography that ranges from steep slopes
to a flat meadow. Deepdene is the property of Fernbank,
which leases it to the DeKalb County Department of Parks and
Recreation.
Although Deepdene appears on Olmsted's earliest plan, the
park never became a true example of the picturesque
landscape that appears throughout his work. Aside from
routine mowing and essential repairs to drainage systems,
there has been little human intervention in the health of
the woodland. Few people visit Deepdene, and it is not even
regarded as a public park by much of the public it could
serve.
The proposed $4 million rehabilitation of Deepdene
will be done in stages. Priorities include
remediation of severe erosion and
storm water problems, burial of utilities and
construction of curbing. To make the park safer
and more accessible, appropriate lighting and
signage will be installed and a sidewalk and row
of trees will be added along Ponce de Leon
Avenue. In the interior, the path system will be
realigned and expanded, and the proliferation of
non-native invasive plants will be controlled.
Olmsted foresaw that Deepdene could provide the growing
population of Atlanta with an experience of the Piedmont
forest. Other woodlands in the city have been preserved,
notably Fernbank Forest, the Storza Woods of the Atlanta
Botanical Garden, the Swan House Woods at the Atlanta
History Center and the Frazer Center property. With
twenty-two acres it is the largest of the park
segments and the park's eastern gateway.
Deepdene is the property of Fernbank, Inc, which
leases it to the DeKalb County Department of
Parks and Recreation.
Special
Contributor Recognition Program
(PDF) (3.75mb)
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