Morningside is home to a unique urban forest spanning almost 40 acres right in the heart of Midtown. Located where the South Fork of Peachtree Creek and Rock Creek flow through the neighborhood these two parks were given to the City of Atlanta to create parks for all to enjoy. The larger parcel, Herbert Taylor Park, was deeded beginning in 1972. It was dedicated on Earth Day, April 22,1987 by Betsy C. Baker, Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs with Atlanta City Council Members Mary Davis and Elaine Valentine. The ceremony at the Johnson Road entrance was attended by the namesake, Mr. Taylor with his wife, Esther, along with his son, Mark, and his wife, Judith.
Additional deeds for Herbert Taylor Park expanded the acreage to span South Fork Peachtree Creek and much of Rock Creek, the most recent stretching to the bridge on Rock Springs Road near the intersection of Cumberland and Beech Valley Way.
A smaller parcel, Daniel Johnson Park, was transferred to Atlanta Parks by his family in the 1930s. It runs along Beech Valley Road.
In 2018, Friends of Herbert Taylor Park and Daniel Johnson Park was formed to restore the parks’ habitat and ensure the parks provide safe access to visitors. The group organizes regular volunteer workdays on the second Saturday of every month and on MLK weekend. They partner with Park Pride, Hands On Atlanta, and Georgia Native Plant Society to restore the park, educate visitors, and improve trails. The group also organizes outings for school groups and anyone interested in learning more about the history of the parks and the plants, birds, insects, animals, and other organisms that depend on them.
Email to learn more or sign up for the newsletter.
DONATE NOW (Click and scroll down the menu to Herbert Taylor Park & Daniel Johnson Park)
Click below to learn more about Herbert Taylor Park & Daniel Johnson Park: (each of these are Google Drive pages with a QR code)
