Life at Chastain Park -

Four years ago when my wife and I relocated to Chastain Park we didn’t fully realize the brilliance of our decision. We moved here having very little idea of what life would be like in this neighborhood. My wife Martha even joked that we were moving out to the “burbs,” as all of our previous homes had been in the heart of the city. Despite our unfamiliarity, we were both excited about all of the opportunities that Chastain Park had to offer. There aren’t many neighborhoods in Buckhead or really anywhere for that matter that have three schools, a golf course, a tennis center, a swimming pool, a world class sports league for children, a playground, an arts center, a basketball gymnasium, a horse park and stables, a concert amphitheater, and a quaint restaurant within a one mile radius.

Since moving here in 2006, it seems that every single amenity listed above has been renovated, upgraded or torn down and rebuilt. With two young boys we are constantly looking for new adventures, and nine times out of ten, we can find them in our backyard. Walks with a stroller are made easy by sidewalks (many lit) that take us from our house to any venue in the park. Whether you are looking for an arts festival, a mid-week concert in the park (Chastain Chill), a parade, a place to watch fireworks, a PATH to walk or run (as my wife does almost daily), or just a quiet stroll, Chastain Park is the place to be.

For a few years the playground was our main focus, but as our children get older and become more interested in sports, NYO (Northside Youth Organization) is becoming the center of our world. NYO offers sports including baseball, softball, football, basketball, and cheerleading. Henry, our 6 year old, had his second season of Little League baseball at NYO this past spring. It was all we could do to keep Ben, our 3 year old, off the field while Henry was playing. Luckily they have a small ball team for 4-year olds which Ben will participate in come March. We’ve loved getting to know other families in the neighborhood through this outlet. Great communities are built around strong organizations that bring people together, and that is exactly what NYO does.

Another huge attraction in Chastain Park is the Chastain Park Amphitheater. Each year 60-70 performers grace the amazing concert hall originally opened in 1930. It’s safe to say that you won’t see Britney Spears or the Rolling Stones perform in this intimate venue, but since moving into the neighborhood we have seen numerous renowned acts including Stevie Wonder, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The Black Crowes, Morrissey, Jewel, Tori Amos, Mark Knopfler, Umphrey’s McGee w/ Bela Fleck and the Flectones, Ratdog, and the Allman Brothers Band.

One of the most appealing aspects of the neighborhood to us was the elementary school. Most of Chastain Park is located in the City of Atlanta which feeds into Warren T. Jackson Elementary School. Jackson is an award winning school that consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Atlanta. Jackson is a National Blue Ribbon School, a Georgia School of Excellence and an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The main campus of Jackson Elementary is located on Mount Paran Road just northwest of the park. The new primary campus is located on the western boarder of the neighborhood on Northside Drive and houses the kindergarten and first grade classes. When children graduate from Jackson Elementary, they feed into Sutton Middle School which is located inside Chastain Park at the corner of Powers Ferry Road and Jett Road. Sutton recently underwent a major renovation and is a first class facility. Over the summer, the movie Mean Girls II was filmed at Sutton.

While I’m on an education roll, another attractive feature to the neighborhood is the Galloway School. Galloway is a learner-focused independent school that was founded in 1969 by Elliot Galloway. Galloway is radically different from other private schools in the area. Instead of teaching facts and processes, children are taught to learn – about academics and about themselves. Galloway has a student body of approximately 700 students ranging from age 3 to the 12^th grade.

I’m reminded of how much I love Chastain Park every time I drive home from work and see all of the people walking the PATH and enjoying the many amenities of the park. I feel so fortunate to be able to live in town yet still be a part of a community that most people think would only exist outside of the city. I hope you will stop by the next time you are in the area and check out all of the amazing things that make Chastain Park a world class park and neighborhood.