Gresham Park Recreation Center at 3113 Gresham Road SE serves as a vital community gathering space in southeastern Atlanta, offering comprehensive recreational facilities that have been integral to neighborhood life for over 50 years. The center features a full-size gymnasium, seasonal pool, newly renovated Atlanta Hawks-branded basketball court, modern playground with rubberized safety surfaces, and scenic walking trails through peaceful natural settings. Recent improvements including the new playscape and outdoor court enhancements have reinvigorated the facility’s role as a community cornerstone, hosting everything from DeKalb County basketball tournaments to weekly food distributions every Wednesday at 4 PM.
The recreation center successfully balances structured programming with open community access, creating spaces where seniors participate in outdoor fitness classes while children enjoy after-school activities and families gather for barbecues and celebrations. Long-term residents express deep connections to the park, with staff knowing children by first names and creating family-oriented environments that span generations. The facility’s event spaces easily accommodate over 100 people with adjacent kitchen facilities, quality flooring for dancing, and ample parking with security, making it a popular venue for community celebrations including the annual Eastlake Day festivities.
Gresham Park Recreation Center at 3113 Gresham Road SE serves as a vital community gathering space in southeastern Atlanta, offering comprehensive recreational facilities that have been integral to neighborhood life for over 50 years. The center features a full-size gymnasium, seasonal pool, newly renovated Atlanta Hawks-branded basketball court, modern playground with rubberized safety surfaces, and scenic walking trails through peaceful natural settings. Recent improvements including the new playscape and outdoor court enhancements have reinvigorated the facility’s role as a community cornerstone, hosting everything from DeKalb County basketball tournaments to weekly food distributions every Wednesday at 4 PM.
The recreation center successfully balances structured programming with open community access, creating spaces where seniors participate in outdoor fitness classes while children enjoy after-school activities and families gather for barbecues and celebrations. Long-term residents express deep connections to the park, with staff knowing children by first names and creating family-oriented environments that span generations. The facility’s event spaces easily accommodate over 100 people with adjacent kitchen facilities, quality flooring for dancing, and ample parking with security, making it a popular venue for community celebrations including the annual Eastlake Day festivities.
The indoor basketball court hosts youth leagues, tournaments, and open play, with dedicated coaches running organized programs. The gym serves as the primary venue for DeKalb County basketball tournaments and Senior Olympics competitions.
Various sized rooms support community meetings, parties, and educational programs with capacities exceeding 100 people. Adjacent kitchen facilities enable catered events and food service for large gatherings.
The outdoor court features Atlanta Hawks branding, creating professional aesthetics for community play. Despite needing some maintenance work, the court remains solid and heavily used for pickup games and youth practice.
Soccer areas and football fields provide space for organized sports and casual play. Open field areas offer flexibility for various activities and team sports throughout the year.
The seasonal pool operates during summer months, though size limitations make it small for a public facility. Supervised swimming with lifeguards ensures safety, with swim coaches running programs for youth development.
Recently renovated playground features rubberized safety flooring allowing barefoot play and reducing injury risks. Equipment includes unique features like parent-child swings enabling caregivers to swing alongside young children.
While generally well-maintained, issues include untreated fire ant mounds and occasional litter requiring attention. The relatively small size becomes concerning with high child density creating potential safety challenges during peak usage.
Quiet, scenic walking trails in excellent condition provide peaceful escapes for walkers and cyclists. The trails offer clear sightlines for safety while maintaining natural beauty within the urban environment.
Monday-Friday after-school programs serve school-age children with homework help, sports, and enrichment activities. Three-year participants and families praise the dedicated staff creating positive developmental experiences.
Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 PM, children ages 6-12 learn chess through engaging curriculum combining strategy lessons with team-building. Programs accommodate all skill levels while challenging young minds through structured play.
Summer day camps operate 7 AM-6 PM Monday-Friday, providing full-day childcare during school breaks. Holiday craft programs like St. Patrick’s Day activities offer creative outlets throughout the year.
Every Wednesday at 4 PM, free food distribution provides essential support for community members facing food insecurity. Year-long operations demonstrate consistent commitment to addressing neighborhood needs beyond recreation.
Outdoor fitness classes for seniors utilize open spaces for group exercise promoting healthy aging. Small class sizes suggest opportunities for program expansion to serve more elderly residents.
Youth basketball leagues with friendly, helpful staff create positive athletic experiences for developing players. Organized practices and games build skills while fostering teamwork and sportsmanship values.
Seasonal schedule variations accommodate different community needs, with extended summer hours (7 AM-6 PM weekdays) supporting working families. Winter hours shift later (1 PM-9 PM December-February) adjusting for daylight and weather conditions.
Generally well-maintained grounds receive praise for cleanliness and landscaping, with DeKalb County performing at high standards. However, specific issues like bathroom availability and playground litter require more consistent attention.
Good parking availability and security presence during events creates safe environments for large gatherings. Clear sightlines throughout the park enable parents to supervise children while maintaining distance.
Reports of inappropriate behavior including ATVs near playgrounds and uncomfortable encounters with individuals asking “weird questions” raise safety concerns. Lack of entrance lighting creates navigation challenges and potential security issues during evening events.
Fifty-plus year presence in the neighborhood creates deep community roots with multi-generational connections. Residents describe the park as integral to community identity and childhood memories.
New improvements including playground renovation and court upgrades have reinvigorated community engagement. The facility’s evolution demonstrates responsive adaptation to changing neighborhood needs while maintaining core recreational mission.
Inconsistent facility hours, with reports of closures on Saturdays during good weather, frustrate visitors planning activities. COVID-related changes like swing removal (since restored) disrupted traditional usage patterns requiring community adaptation.
The Atlanta Hawks partnership bringing professional branding to community courts creates special pride and identity. Weekly food distribution programs extend the center’s impact beyond recreation to essential community support services, demonstrating comprehensive approaches to neighborhood wellness that address both physical activity and basic needs while maintaining the facility’s role as a true community hub serving all ages and demographics.
