Atlanta parks guide: Piedmont Park hours (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), splash pads, eight off-leash dog parks, the BeltLine and the park rules. Parks: 311.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Sources: the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation’s park use rules, the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the Historic Oakland Foundation.

The Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation runs the city’s parks, recreation centers, pools and splash pads, with nonprofit conservancies sharing the work at some of the biggest parks. This guide covers the parks people ask about most, the rules that apply in all of them, and where to report a problem. For walking and cycling routes, see our walking and biking trails guide.

Who to call

  • Park maintenance, trees, reservations, programs: ATL311, dial 311 or 404-546-0311, or parkscustomerservice@atlantaga.gov
  • Downed tree on a weekend, holiday or after hours: 911
  • Trees on private property: Office of Buildings Arborist Division, 404-330-6874
  • Piedmont Park Conservancy office: next to the park’s parking garage, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays

The big parks

Park Hours Run by Good to know
Piedmont Park 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. City, with the Piedmont Park Conservancy 11.5-acre Lake Clara Meer, year-round splash pad, summer pool, dog park, Saturday Green Market
Centennial Olympic Park 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Georgia World Congress Center Authority Fountain of Rings; events can change the hours
Historic Oakland Cemetery Grounds dawn to dusk; visitor center 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily City, with the Historic Oakland Foundation Tours and the fall Halloween tours

Piedmont Park began with a small lake in 1887; Lake Clara Meer was enlarged to about its present 11.5 acres in 1895, and the closing of the park’s golf course in 1979 freed 70 acres that are now Oak Hill and the Meadow, the Conservancy’s history says. Restrooms near Greystone, the Noguchi Playscape, the Legacy Fountain, the tennis center, the dog park, the Charles Allen Gate and Magnolia Hall are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The pool runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and is closed for the season; the Legacy Fountain splash pad stays open all year unless it is very cold or stormy.

Dog parks

The city lists eight off-leash dog parks: Piedmont Park, South Bend, Renaissance Park, Walker Park, Freedom Barkway, Kirkwood, Mozley Park and Melvin Drive Park. Everywhere else in a city park, dogs must be on a leash, and owners must pick up after them. Inside the off-leash areas, the city’s rules allow no more than three dogs per owner, require licensed and vaccinated dogs, ban prong collars and keep children under 12 under close adult watch. Addresses are in our dog-friendly Atlanta guide.

Rules in every city park

From the city’s park use rules:

  • No alcohol, amplified music, food sales or power-hungry equipment such as moonwalks without a special permit.
  • No glass containers.
  • No climbing on trees, fences, statues, monuments or fountains.
  • Enter and leave only through park entrances and during open hours.
  • Do not park in a park lot unless you are using the park.
  • In Piedmont Park, grill only in designated areas using the park’s grills; no portable grills or ground fires. Pets are not allowed in the lake, on the tennis courts, ball fields or playgrounds.

Breaking a park rule is a violation of the city code, and anyone who damages a park can be billed for the repair.

Trails

The Atlanta Beltline’s trails, PATH400, the Freedom Park Trail and the PATH Foundation greenways are covered in detail, with distances and trailheads, in our walking and biking trails guide.

What this means for you

  • Piedmont Park closes at 11 p.m.; Centennial Olympic Park at 10 p.m.
  • Planning a party in a park? Alcohol, amplified music and moonwalks need a city permit.
  • Dogs off leash only in the eight fenced dog parks.

Related: farmers markets, things to do this month and kids’ activities.

Frequently asked questions

What are Piedmont Park’s hours?

6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Piedmont Park Conservancy says. Park restrooms are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Is there a splash pad in Piedmont Park?

Yes. The Legacy Fountain splash pad is open all year except in severe cold or storms. The Piedmont Park pool is open only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

How many dog parks does Atlanta have?

The city lists eight off-leash dog parks: Piedmont Park, South Bend, Renaissance Park, Walker Park, Freedom Barkway, Kirkwood, Mozley Park and Melvin Drive Park. Everywhere else in city parks, dogs must be leashed.

Can you drink alcohol in Atlanta parks?

Not without a special permit. City park rules also bar glass containers and amplified music without a permit.

Who do I call about a problem in an Atlanta park?

ATL311 or the Department of Parks and Recreation at parkscustomerservice@atlantaga.gov. For a downed tree on a weekend, holiday or after hours, call 911.