| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The park is located adjacent to and managed by the Georgia World Congress Center. It is bounded by Marietta Street to the west, Baker Street to the north and Centennial Olympic Park Drive to the east and south. Andrew Young International Drive runs through the middle of the park, named for former Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador Andrew YoungAndrew Jackson Young, Jr. born March 12, 1932) is a noted Civil rights activist, was the former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia and the United States's ambassador to the United Nations in the Jimmy Carter administration. Andrew Young was born in New Orleans, Lo. The area was previously dilapidated buildings, sitting among many modern ones immediately around it.
A key feature of the park is the Fountain of Rings interactive fountainA fountain is an arrangement where water is forced into the air under pressure, creating a jet. The pressure may be gravitational, or may be produced by a motor-driven pump. A famous fountain rises from the surface of Lake Geneva. However, many fountains which features computer-controlled lights and jets of water synchronized with music played from speakers in light towers surrounding the fountain. The fountain forms a splash padA splash pad is an area for water play that has no standing water. This is said to eliminate the need for lifeguards or other supervision, as there is no risk of drowning. Typically there are ground nozzles that spray water upwards. There may also be othe that was designed for children to frolicTorts An employee who acts on his/her own without obeying the order. A milkman who abandons his milk run to rob a 7-Eleven. The employer is not resopnsible for it. Dictionary explaination To frolic means to be playful, merry, fun, or carefree, or to act j in, as well as for concert goers and joggers to cool off in on hot summer days. The waterplay area consists of 251 jets that shoot 12 to 35 feet in the air, and also creates a beautiful water sculpture that's essentially the front yard of the nearby museum. Additionally, a nearby hotel has rooms that face the fountain, and recommends businessmen/women try splashing through the fountain. As an important formal architectural landmark that is also a fun and playful space, it is very similar to Dundas SquareDundas Square is a public square in downtown Toronto, Ontario, on the southeast corner of Yonge Street and Dundas Street. It was opened to the public in November of 2002, and a "grand opening" concert was held on May 30, 2003. Dundas Square was envisioned in Toronto where ground nozzles spray water upwards at the heart of the city.
The fountain area is surrounded by flags representing the host countries of each Summer Olympics preceding the 19961996 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty''. Events January January 5 Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone Jan games, and columns reminiscent of ancient Greece. There are several pieces of sculpture scattered through the park including a statue of Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympic movement. A small amphitheatre is located at the southern end of the park.
During the Olympics, the park contained many commercial exhibits, hosted entertainment and presentations of medal winners, and was a hotbed for pin trading . The celebrations in the park were marred by the July 27th bombing which killed two people and injured over one hundred others. Security at the park and at all sporting venues was subsequently raised to include bag searches, and the now-omnipresent magnetometer.
Centennial Olympic Park now plays host to thousands of visitors a year and hosts several events including a summer popular music concert series ( On the Bricks ) as well as an annual Independence Day concert and fireworks display. Portions of the park are available for rental for private events.
The park was paid for in part by the donations of thousands of individuals who bought bricks, engraved with the short message of their choice and laid as pavers throughout the park. The contribution for each brick was $35. The message was allowed 15 characters on each of two lines. The finished bricks were laid in alternating light (tan) and dark (brick red) groups. Many contributors ordered replica bricks to keep for themselves as souvenirs.
The park has become a catalyst for new development in Atlanta's downtown. The new World of Coca-Cola museum and the Georgia Aquarium are being built just north of the park and Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta opened its doors on March 1, 2004 on a corner adjacent to the park. Existing significant attractions or developments surrounding the park include The Georgia World Congress Center, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Atlanta Apparel Mart , the Omni Hotel , and The Tabernacle (formerly a House of Blues location during the games).