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Dedication of Herbert Taylor Park (1987)

April 22, 1987

Atlanta City Council Members Mary Davis and Elaine Valentine along with Betsy C. Baker, Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, officially dedicated twenty-eight acres on Johnson Road near Beech Valley Road as the Herbert Taylor Park.  Dedication of the land as the Herbert Taylor Park honors Mr. Taylor during his lifetime for his contributions to the growth and development of Atlanta into an international city.  The City Council recently passed legislation naming the park after Mr. Taylor.

According to Mark Taylor, his father's lifetime is uniquely tied to the history of Atlanta's development. Mr. Taylor, a builder, developer and former pharmacist, was born in Atlanta before the turn of the century and is a lifelong resident. Mr. Taylor's development and building activities include the opening of the first all night drugstore in Atlanta, first and long time ownership of the historic Plaza Pharmacy on Ponce de Leon, and development of Mall West End. He also was a director of the firm which built the Hyatt Regency on Peachtree.

Mr. Taylor, known for his philanthropy, and his wife Esther were present for the dedication along with Mr. and Mrs. Mark Taylor and other interested citizens.  The tract was donated in two parcels in 1972 and 1978 by Mr. Taylor and his son, Mark Taylor, as a gift to the city for passive recreational purposes.  This virtually undisturbed land serves as a nature preserve in the community.  The ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 22, 1987.

by Llona Roach

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