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Centennial Olympic Park. Photo by Unknown Author on

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park is a twenty-two-acre (89,000 m²) public park that is located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The park is owned and operated by the Georgia World Congress Centre Authority (GWCCA).

Centennial Olympic Park was built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) as part of the infrastructure improvements for the 1996 Summer Olympics. The park plays host to millions of visitors a year.

Several events have been hosted at the park which include a summer popular music concert series known as Wednesday WindDown, an annual Independence Day concert and a fireworks display. Previously, the park property had a variety of vacant lots and abandoned or run-down industrial buildings.

However, ACOG’s chief executive Billy Payne came up with the idea of the park as a central gathering location for visitors and spectators during the Olympics. A design competition was held on how the park could be and landscape architect EDAW won the tender for designing and constructing the park.

There were two phases of constructing Centennial Olympic Park. Phase one of the construction was completed in July 1996. It cost around US$28 million in time for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games.

Phase two of the construction took place shortly after the Olympics were over and was completed a year later. The total cost of the second phase was US$15 million.

Here are the Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Centennial Olympic Park:

1. The Park Underwent Two Phases of Constructing

Centennial Olympic Park was an idea for becoming a central gathering location for visitors and spectators during the Olympics. Design tenders were advertised and handed over to Landscape Architect EDAW.

EDAW had a brilliant idea of constructing the park but in two phases. The first phase began before the Summer Olympics games in 1996.

Phase One was completed in July 1996 in time for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games for twenty-eight million US dollars. The park contained sponsor exhibits hosted entertainment and medal presentations and business was high.

Phase two of construction took place after the completion of the 1996 Olympics games. It was completed in 1998 for fifteen million US dollars.

2. Centennial Olympic Park is Surrounded by Major Atlanta Landmark

Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, GA. Photo by Warren LeMay on

Centennial Olympic Park is strategically located in Atlanta Georgia. The park is surrounded by many major Atlanta landmarks.

These landmarks include the Georgia World Congress Centre, College Football Hall of Fame, State Farm Arena, the CNN Centre and Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the west side.

On the North side of the park, there are the Georgia Aquarium, the National Centre for Civil and Human Rights and the World of Coca-Cola. The park is bounded by Marietta Street to the west, Baker Street to the north and Centennial Olympic Park Drive to the east and south.

In the southern portion of the park is Andrew Young International Boulevard. The Atlanta Streetcar passes along the eastern side of the park.

3. The Park has Attracted More than $2.4 Billion In Investment since its Opening

Centennial Olympic Park has been in operation since it was constructed in 1996. The park has had a major influence on the economy of Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2016, Centennial Olympic Park received a major award. It received the Downtown Economic Impact Award from Central Atlanta Progress Inc. The park has attracted more than 2.4 billion dollars in investment since it was opened.

4. Centennial Olympic Park is a Catalyst for the Development of Downtown

Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Ga. on September 29, 2018. Photo by Don McCulley on

The park has had a major influence in the region of Atlanta, Georgia. It has become a major catalyst for new development in Atlanta’s downtown area.

On 24th May 2007, the new World of Coca-Cola was opened near the park, next to the Georgia Aquarium. The Imagine It! Children’s Museum of Atlanta had been opened earlier on.

Many other significant attractions and developments around the park include the Georgia World Congress Centre, the Atlanta convention and visitors bureau, the Atlanta Apparel Mart, the Omni Hotel and the Tabernacle. The Ferris Wheel, CNN Centre, State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium are also near the park.

5. There is the Fountain of Rings Interactive Fountain in the Park

The park has several impressive features that attract tourists who visit the area. The key feature of the Centennial Olympic Park is the foundation of the ring’s interactive fountain.

This fountain features computer-controlled lights and jets of water synchronised with music played from speakers in light towers surrounding it. The fountains form a splash pad designed for children to frolic in.

It is also for concert-goers and joggers to cool off on hot summer days. The fountain contains 251 jets that shoot 12 to 35 feet in the air. These water jets create beautiful water sculptures.

6. Several Pieces of Sculptures are in the Park

Ivan Allen, III. side of the Allen family statue in Centennial Olympic Park. Photo by JJonahJackalope on

Centennial Olympic Park has other major features other than the fountain of rings. There are several pieces of sculpture which are scattered in the park.

These sculptures include the Gateway of Dreams which is a monument that honours Pierre de Coubertin. A small amphitheatre is also located at the southern end of Centennial Olympic Park.

7. The Park has Shown at the Fountain All Days of the Year

The Fountain of Rings in Centennial Olympic Park is special and holds a unique function in the park. With the glamorous glimpse of the jets of water being shot in the air, there is more that is shown here.

Their park has special shows at the fountain all days of the year. The shows play four times daily. These shows play at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

8. There are More than 800K Engraved Bricks at the Park

Centennial Park District, Atlanta, GA, USA. Photo by logo pop on

Centennial Olympic Park has a section of engraved bricks. The park was paid for in part by donations of thousands of people who bought bricks engraved with short messages of choice. These bricks were laid as pavers throughout the park.

The contribution given for each brick was thirty-five dollars. The message on the bricks was allowed to be 15 characters every two lines. These bricks summed up to 800k which were used in the park’s construction.

9. A Transportable Ferris Wheel Debuted Near the Park

There are several remarkable areas across Centennial Olympic Park. The existence of the park in downtown Atlanta made this area a business area.

In July 2013, the SkyView Atlanta, which is a transportable Ferris wheel debuted across the street from the park. The Ferris Wheel is a 200-foot wheel that features 42 air-conditioned cars which enable riders to view the park and the surrounding area.

10. The Park has the Olympic Rings

Olympic Rings at Centennial Olympic Park. Photo by Gatorfan252525 on

Centennial Olympic Park was majorly constructed for the 1996 summer Olympic games. This park has been special for the people of Atlanta and international tourists too.

In the park, there are several amazing pieces of art. One of them is the Olympic Rings.

These rings are significant to the park because they hosted the 1996 summer games. Tourists who visit the area take pictures at this location.