Westside Park, USA

A decade ago it was a sand and gravel quarry, a brownfield carved out of the northern slopes of Mission Valley over the past 80 years.

Talk to people who’ve seen it, and they’ll tell you Atlanta’s Westside Park isn’t just a city amenity on an unprecedented scale—it’s a regional attraction in the making.

Expect huge sculptures, a playground and large open fields, plus two and ½ miles of ADA-accessible bike and walking trails linking to the marquee attraction: the “grand overlook” on the high cliffs of the former quarry, now a crucial water reservoir with panoramic views. Eventually, this initial phase is slated to expand across 280 acres, dwarfing Piedmont Park by nearly 100 acres as the largest park in Atlanta. Connections to the BeltLine and nearby Proctor Creek Greenway are in the works.