Piedmont Park is a historic urban park located in Atlanta, Georgia, about 1 mile northeast of the city's downtown area. It has a rich history and has been a central part of the city's cultural, athletic and recreational life for over a century. The land was originally owned by Dr. Benjamin Walker, who used it as his out-of-town gentleman's farm and residence. It was later sold to the Gentlemen's Driving Club, which entered into an agreement with the Piedmont Exposition Company to use the land for fairs and expositions. The park was originally designed by Joseph Forsyth Johnson to host two major expositions in the late 19th century, the Piedmont Exposition and the Cotton States and International Exposition, which showcased the prosperity of the region during and after the Reconstruction period. In the early 20th century, the park underwent a redesign plan called the Olmsted plan, led by the sons of New York Central Park architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The plan added scenic paths and joined the park with the Ansley park system. Over the years, Piedmont Park has served as an athletic center for the city and has hosted several important intercollegiate rivalries, such as the University of Georgia vs. Georgia Tech baseball rivalry and Georgia versus Auburn football. Many improvements have been made to the park throughout the 20th century, including the addition of picnic areas, tennis facilities, a dock and visitors center, and playgrounds. In 2008, a 53-acre extension to the park was opened, and the northern third of the park has been recently expanded with more areas to be developed in the future. Today, Piedmont Park is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike and is a cherished part of Atlanta's history, offering a variety of recreational, athletic, and cultural opportunities for all. The park features 2 baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, 2 sand volleyball courts, 12 tennis courts, one basketball court and two bocce courts. Lake Clara Meer provides great reflections of the midtown skyline. There is a pool and a fountain kids can splash in. There are two dog parks, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. The park is home to many festivals and events throughout the year including Music Midtown, Jazz Fest, and the finish line to the Peachtree Road Race.