Initiatives like affordable senior housing, enhanced public safety through better lighting, and pedestrianfriendly downtown spaces have been key to nurturing a strong, inclusive community. By addressing these needs, Forest Park ensures that its growth doesn’t outpace its ability to support its citizens and remains steadfast in its efforts to balance modernization with preservation. The city stands at the forefront of change, driven by a vision that balances its unique heritage with forward-looking infrastructure improvements. Its rich history and close-knit community are as much a part of its future as its new developments. Thanks to proactive and community-focused leadership, Forest Park has become a city where every resident feels secure, engaged, and proud to call home — a place where growth is felt not just in numbers but in the strength and vibrancy of the community itself. PROMOTING THE FOREST PARK STORY Forest Park stands as Clayton County’s largest municipality, perfectly positioned near HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport and roughly 10 miles from downtown Atlanta. With a population of nearly 20,000 residents (and counting), the city is embarking on a series of transformative projects that encompass everything from transportation and housing to water systems and public safety. Thanks to its well-rounded promotion strategy, leadership anticipates that the city’s current growth rate won’t slow down anytime soon. “Promotion is more than just marketing. It’s about showcasing the very essence of who we are, highlighting our unique attributes, celebrating achievements, and then inviting the world to experience what makes our city exceptional,” says City Manager Ricky L. Clark, Jr. Thanks to city officials like Public Information Officer Javon Anthony Lloyd, the city frequently updates its database of 30,000+ individuals on current and new projects on the horizon, while maintaining close relations with local media outlets like FOX 5 Atlanta and 11Alive and WSB-TV. “It all boils down to telling the Forest Park story. We not only have economic development, great parks, and amenities, but our community is also very vibrant and diverse. It’s my job to make sure I’m using every tool possible to get that message out,” Lloyd explains. While outreach and promotion have been key, Forest Park also focuses on having amenities that could attract further growth and activity to the area. For example, the city recruited a state-of-the-art 547,000-square-foot film production facility named 141 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 FOREST PARK, GA
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