Atlanta to Provide Free Public Wi-Fi Networks in Piedmont and Grant Parks

Mayor Kasim Reed announced Tuesday that free wireless internet is available to visitors of Piedmont and Grant Parks. Park-goers will be able to stay connected with their laptop computers, smartphones, tablets and other Wi-Fi enabled devices as they enjoy the amenities or attend any of the many festivals held in these widely-visited parks.

“With this new initiative, we have made a targeted investment to improve our city’s wireless infrastructure and expand Internet access,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “As Atlanta continues to grow as a global hub of technology and innovation in the 21st Century, we must find ways to support and drive technological advances. This initiative moves us forward on the path to constant connectivity.”

The city’s Department of Information Technology designed the system to provide visitors with a fast and efficient Internet connection with a maximum throughput of 2-3 mbps within the hotspot zone coverage locations. The wireless network is supported through Comcast Business Internet Services. The network will support 1,000 – 2,000 concurrent Internet connections.

Visitors accessing Wi-Fi services in Piedmont and Grant Parks can connect by selecting the “CofAtlanta-Piedmontpark” or “CofAtlanta-Grant” network in their Wi-Fi settings.

The hotspot zones in Piedmont Park are the Greystone Pavilion, Tennis Center, Greensward Pavilion, Legacy Fountain area, the Visitor Center, Noguchi Playground, the Meadows and Park Tavern. The hotspot zones in Grant Park are the Grant Recreation Basketball and Tennis Courts, the pool and playground, the Cyclorama and picnic pavilions.

“By providing free Wi-Fi in two of the city’s largest and most visited parks – Grant Park, which is approximately 132 acres and Piedmont Park, approximately 185 acres– it allows every resident and visitor that enters these world-class parks to be connected at all times,” said George Dusenbury, Commissioner, Department of Parks and Recreation. “Connectivity is essential, and this is an opportunity for the City of Atlanta to create a model project that can be used as an example as the city works to expand its wireless program throughout other areas of Atlanta.”

“Our charge is to continuously improve services to meet the technology needs of the City of Atlanta,” said Michael Dogan, Chief Information Officer. “Wireless connectivity is an important tool that supports economic, educational and social benefits within our city parks. Innovative deployment of this wireless initiative presents an exciting opportunity for communities across Atlanta.”

“As we maintain the historic preservation of Piedmont Park, we invite our attendees to enjoy our new and latest feature,” said Yvette Bowden, President and CEO of Piedmont Park Conservancy. “Now, not only will Piedmont Park be a beacon of beautification, but an innovative bridge of technology to nature. Wi-Fi in the park is a fresh incentive to spend more time outdoors. The implementation of free wireless to our citizens and visitors is an expression of the technological diversity we, as a city, strive to attain.”