Georgia’s First Botanical Garden in More Than a Decade is Near Hartsfield Jackson International Airport
The City of College Park marked a historic moment last week with the ceremonial signing of a lease agreement with Fulton County to establish a new botanical garden at the Camp Truitt site, located at 4300 Herschell Road—just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Earlier this year, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved a land-lease agreement for approximately 40 acres of county-owned land to the City of College Park. This came after the College Park City Council passed a resolution to allocate $5.4 million to fund the creation of the garden.
Hosted by the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the ceremonial signing was attended by Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and the full City Council, including Council Member Roderick Gay, a lifelong horticulturalist who has championed the project for nearly 30 years.
After a resolution passed by the College Park City Council, the garden will be officially known as the Roderick Gay Botanical Garden, a tribute to Councilman Gay’s decades of dedication to bringing a world-class green space to the southern part of Fulton County. “This garden will be an incredible addition to our community—offering residents and guests a peaceful urban oasis to enjoy nature and learn,” said Mayor Motley Broom. “It would not have happened without the unwavering commitment and vision of Councilman Gay.”
“This has been a long time coming,” added Councilman Gay. “I am honored that my fellow College Park Council members named the garden for me and to Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts for supporting my vision. I hope that this botanical garden will stand as a cultural and environmental landmark for generations.”
Approximately 32 acres of the Camp Truitt site will be used for the botanical garden, featuring walking trails, an educational center, and a welcoming facility. The lease agreement preserves the remaining eight acres for the ongoing operations of other valued programs on the site, including the 4-H camp, senior center, GROWL community garden, and cooperative education initiatives. College Park officials expect to begin the initial development of the garden in the next few months with a goal of opening the first phase of the facility in 2026. ###
Covering an area of 11.1 square miles, College Park is home to several significant landmarks, including the world headquarters of Chick-fil-A and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is the busiest airport in the world. Additionally, it hosts Woodward Academy, the largest and one of the most prestigious K-12 private schools in the continental United States.
College Park has a vibrant historical community and is committed to advancing new technologies and alternative fuel and energy platforms. The city’s forward-thinking mission emphasizes economic development, hospitality, and entertainment. Among its key facilities, the Georgia International Convention Center features the largest ballroom in the state of Georgia. The Gateway Center Arena College Park serves as the home for the College Park Skyhawks and the Atlanta Dream. For more information, visit www.CollegeParkGA.com.
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