Simultaneously, she established Happy Black Parent, an educational play space fostering concrete learning experiences for children. Welcoming families, tutors, and counselors, the aim is to normalize concepts like homeschooling and neurodivergence, making them inclusive and accessible. 

The Atlanta BeltLine plays a pivotal role in Makeisha’s life, providing community connections, events, and enabling a car-free lifestyle that reduces financial burdens. As Makeisha rides around the Westside with her kids on the BeltLine, she has a vision for ongoing neighborhood development, with hopes of inclusive benefits for current residents. For a closer look at Makeisha’s inspiring journey, watch the video below. 

Thankfully, the Atlanta BeltLine corridor is the perfect place to get your blood flowing and log the CDC-recommended 10,000 daily steps. Here are a few of the best ways to get your daily steps in BeltLine-style. 

Take a Walk Around Atlanta’s Largest Greenspace
Opened in the summer of 2021, Westside Park is a 280-acre greenspace surrounded by the neighborhoods of West Highlands, Knight Park, Howell Station, Bankhead, Grove Park, Rockdale, Hills Park, and Blandtown.  

The former quarry space has over five miles of paved trails to choose from, including ones that run along the park’s central reservoir and the former quarry’s scenic cliffs. The park also has two covered pavilions, public restrooms, and a playground, making it the perfect place to get the family together for a walk. 

Explore the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum with Trees Atlanta
Did you know the Atlanta BeltLine is home to over 9,000 recorded plants and over 500,000 non-accessioned grasses, vines, and wildflowers? Get in your steps – and learn about the linear greenspace our friends at Trees Atlanta are building along the corridor – during one of their walking tours! 

These free tours are offered on the Eastside, Westside, Northeast, and Southside Trails and each offer a unique perspective on the trees, plants, architecture, and historical sites found along the BeltLine. To reserve a spot on an upcoming walking tour, click here.  

Capture Memories at the BeltLine’s Most Insta-Worthy Spots
Whether you’re walking the Eastside Trail to check out the art at Krog Tunnel, the Northside Trail for a selfie by the serene creeks, the Southside Trail for a trip to D.H. Stanton Park, or the Westside Trail to check out the murals at Lee + White, the BeltLine is the perfect place to capture memories while also getting in your steps.  

Pro tip: Don’t forget to tag @AtlantaBeltLine in your selfies so we can reshare them on our channels! 

Join Other Atlantans for Group Fitness
Everything is better with friends, and the same goes for getting in your steps. Joining others for group fitness on the trail is the best way to stay motivated and focused on your health goals. That can mean taking an afternoon stroll with friends, signing up for our December Race Series and Run Club, or challenging yourself by signing up for The Race, a half-marathon weekend event that travels through Atlanta’s historic westside neighborhoods and is supported by the Atlanta BeltLine. 

The Race was created in 2017 by a group of running community leaders in Atlanta aiming to host a world-class event that highlights Black-owned businesses, makes a positive impact with charity and service, and garners massive national support from the African American running community. To sign up for this year’s event (and ensure you’re getting your steps in on October 7), click here.  

The family sold their car, moved from Grant Park to Midtown, and purchased an electric cargo bike to safely transport their two small children to school, ballet, parks, or the grocery story via the trail corridor. 

“We use the BeltLine at least twice a day,” Hugh shared. “The BeltLine enhances our quality of life by really allowing my wife and I to engage with our kids on a whole different level that we can’t do if we’re in a car.”

Hear their story:

In this video, Lt. Strom shares about APD’s Path Force Unit’s important work.

We are all in this together, so if you see something, say something. Call 911 for emergencies.

Oakland City resident, Chris Morphis, intentionally chose to live in his neighborhood to have easy access to both the MARTA line and the Atlanta BeltLine for commuting to work. Hear his story here:

In this video, Charlie recounts their experience.

By any standard, Davyd Smith can be considered a long-term BeltLine neighborhood resident. Attracted to the vibrancy, diversity, and affordability of West End, he bought his first home there in 2004 before the Atlanta BeltLine, now across from his property, was even a thing. In 2016, he moved to Westview, “more of a ‘homey’ neighborhood”, and began renting his West End house. Since then, he has watched the transformational impacts—both good and bad—that the project has had on his community.

“Since those early discussions with the community, I’ve watched to see how it would turn out,” he shares while standing outside A/C Clutch Bike Shop. “First, it was larger in scope with both the linear park and light rail that were going to spur growth. As far as the development and property value increases, we expected to come; it came.”

When the Westside Trail was first completed and Smith had more time for cycling, he rode it often with the cycling group, Red, Bike and Green Atlanta. Safer than riding on Atlanta streets, they would incorporate the BeltLine into their rides. Then, as development continued around the corridor, he could be found walking the BeltLine to Ponce City Market or occasionally attending the BeltLine Lantern Parade. Lately though, as fatherhood and work have taken up more of his time, the Westside Trail has become an outlet for him and his girlfriend to go for a weeknight walk and engage with the neighbors when the trail is free of weekend tourists.

He carefully chooses his words as he ponders the complexity of the BeltLine project.

“Everyone is concerned with affordable housing now. I know people who’ve been displaced; I’ve seen houses on my street flip or get torn down and replaced with new houses. While it’s likely displacement would’ve happened anyway due to the nature of capitalism, now that the Beltline is here it should continue to be a part of the conversation on how to reduce the harm that can come with irresponsible development. I’ve welcomed the BeltLine in my neighborhood.”

“The promise of positive development, it’s happening,” he continues, musing over the new businesses and breweries that have appeared in walking distance, which he attributes, in part, to the BeltLine. “I do worry, though, about the West End losing its character. I remember when each of the neighborhoods had a particular vibe, and West End felt like more of a cultural hub.”

Over the years, Smith has gotten to know members of the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. staff. Through various interactions in the community, he has observed how they engage the community and grapple with the complexities of the infrastructure project.

“It makes me feel good that [they’re] a part of this. We talk about the BeltLine conceptually, and about the impact, ” he shares. “I’m glad to know that efforts are being made to look out for residents in this community.”

“The BeltLine has been one of the most transformative projects in this city, and it is essential that it continues to responsibly shape the future of Atlanta.”

If you encounter a litter, graffiti, or maintenance issue on the Atlanta BeltLine, call 311 to report it to City of Atlanta Office of Parks or email parkscustomerservice@atlantaga.gov .

To report a litter, graffiti, or maintenance issue on the Atlanta BeltLine, call the Office of Parks at 311 or email parkscustomerservice@atlantaga.gov.