Glenwood Park was founded in 2003 as a model community featuring environmental sustainability and New Urban[ism] design. New Urbanism is a design movement which promotes walkable neighborhoods containing a range of housing and job types. It arose in the United States in the early 1980s, and has gradually reformed many aspects of real estate development, urban planning, and municipal land-use strategies. New Urbanism is strongly influenced by urban design standards that were prominent until the rise of the automobile in the mid-20th century; it encompasses principles such as traditional neighborhood design (TND) and transit-oriented development (TOD). It is also closely related to regionalism, environmentalism and the broader concept of smart growth.
Glenwood Park started life as an abandoned 28-acre brownfield site, 85% of which was covered by impervious concrete surfaces and other contaminants that supported no trees and from which stormwater run-off was out of control. However, located beside a major Interstate and within 2 miles of downtown Atlanta, the site was ideal for a sensible, Smart Growth, urban in-fill development.
The new community has attracted several filmmakers and television commercial directors who have produced their work here. Several festivals, including the City of Atlanta’s 2008 Earth Day Festival, Hotoberfest Beer Fesitval, and EarthShare of Georgia’s Party in the Park have all been staged at Glenwood Park. Currently, over 194 households (about 375 residents) and 17 unique businesses (office and retail) call Glenwood Park their home.