You’ve probably seen it on your TV screen. A deep, jagged hole in the earth, filled with Gatorade-blue water. It’s the place where Rick Grimes and his group of survivors camped in The Walking Dead. It’s the eerie backdrop where the "body" of Will Byers was pulled from the water in Stranger Things. For years, Bellwood Quarry Atlanta Georgia was the city’s most famous "secret" location—a gritty, industrial relic that looked like the surface of the moon.
But if you head over there today, you won't find zombies or government conspiracies. Honestly, you'll find a lot of people jogging.
In a massive $44 million transformation, the site has been reborn as Westside Park—or more recently, Shirley Clarke Franklin Park. It officially opened its gates in 2021, and by 2025, it was renamed to honor the former mayor who helped secure the land. It’s now the largest green space in the city, nearly double the size of the famous Piedmont Park.
The Dark History Beneath the Water
Wait. Before you pack a picnic, we need to talk about what actually happened here. The "scenic" water at the bottom of the quarry isn't just a pretty lake. It’s 2.4 billion gallons of emergency drinking water.
But beneath that water lies a history that most people forget.
For over 100 years, this was a granite quarry. From the late 1800s through the mid-20th century, the city didn't just use machines to pull rocks out of the ground. They used people. Specifically, they used a system of convict leasing and "chain gangs." Thousands of mostly Black men were pulled off the streets for minor or nonexistent "crimes" and forced to break granite in horrific conditions.
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Experts like Douglas Blackmon, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Slavery by Another Name, have highlighted how this system was essentially slavery under a different label. In 2025, the city announced plans for a permanent memorial at the park to honor those victims of forced labor. It’s a somber contrast to the bright playgrounds and yoga groups currently occupying the space.
Why Bellwood Quarry Still Matters Today
So, why did Atlanta spend decades and millions of dollars on a hole in the ground? It wasn't just to give people a place to hike.
Infrastructure is the real hero here. Before this project, Atlanta only had about a three-day supply of emergency water. If a major pipe burst or the river became contaminated, the city was in big trouble. Today, thanks to a five-mile tunnel dug 400 feet underground to connect the quarry to the Chattahoochee River, the city has a 30-day buffer.
- Capacity: 2.4 billion gallons.
- Depth: The reservoir is roughly 350 to 400 feet deep.
- Size: 280 acres of total park land.
Basically, the quarry is now a giant insurance policy for the city’s survival.
Filming at the Quarry: From Moon Dust to Mockingjay
If you’re a film nerd, the Bellwood Quarry Atlanta Georgia site is hallowed ground. Because it was closed to the public for so long, it became the perfect "blank canvas" for Hollywood.
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- First Man (2018): Filmmakers used the quarry floor to simulate the lunar surface. The gray granite and desolate vibe made it look exactly like the moon.
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1: It served as the location for some of the rebel scenes.
- The Vampire Diaries: More than a few supernatural encounters happened near these cliffs.
- The Fundamentals of Caring: They called it "The World's Deepest Pit" in the movie.
Getting a glimpse of the quarry used to require trespassing (don't do that) or being a cast member. Now, you can just walk up to the "Grand Overlook" and see the exact spot where Eleven stood in Stranger Things.
What to Expect When You Visit
If you’re heading out there this weekend, don't expect a rugged wilderness. It’s very much an urban park.
The first phase, largely funded by a $17.5 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, includes miles of ADA-accessible paved trails. There are massive event lawns, two playgrounds, and some of the best skyline views in the city.
The park connects directly to the Proctor Creek Greenway, which eventually links up with the Atlanta BeltLine. It’s part of a much larger plan to create a 22-mile loop of trails around the city.
Pro-tip: Go for the sunset. The way the light hits the Atlanta skyline behind the reservoir is, frankly, unbeatable.
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Navigating the Future of the Westside
Gentrification is the elephant in the room. As the park opened, property values in the surrounding neighborhoods like Grove Park and Bankhead skyrocketed. Microsoft even bought 90 acres nearby for a campus before pausing those plans, leaving the community in a bit of a weird limbo.
There's a constant tension here. The park is a world-class amenity that residents have deserved for decades, but there's also the fear that the very people the park was built for won't be able to afford to live next to it anymore.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to explore Bellwood Quarry Atlanta Georgia, here is how to make the most of it:
- Park at the Johnson Road Entrance: This is the main gateway with the best parking access and easy entry to the Grand Overlook.
- Walk the Loop: Take the 1.35-mile paved loop. It’s enough of a workout to feel productive but easy enough for a casual stroll.
- Check the Weather: There isn't a ton of shade on the overlook yet (the trees are still growing), so if it's 95 degrees, bring an umbrella or a hat.
- Look for the Memorial: As of 2026, keep an eye out for the developing memorial markers near the quarry's edge. Taking five minutes to read about the history of the workers who built this city is a necessary part of the experience.
- Combine your trip: Since it’s connected to the Proctor Creek Greenway, you can bike from the park all the way into the city without hitting traffic.
The quarry isn't just a relic of the past or a movie set anymore. It’s a living part of Atlanta’s future. It keeps the water running, gives the kids a place to play, and reminds us of a history we can't afford to bury.