Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. (1822-1903) is the acknowledged founder of American landscape architecture. The term landscape architect was coined to describe his work in creating Central Park in New York City. The success of that historic commission launched Olmsted into a career that would enrich the lives of generations of Americans through the design of magnificent public spaces. In Atlanta a visible legacy of his creative genius is the Linear Park in Druid Hills, the last suburb he designed before his death.
Tonight I stood on top of a fallen Oak tree, lying beside was her sister, and stretched along the park, many more who were uprooted by the storm last night. They were mammoth oaks planted by the master designer of American parks. These weren't just any oaks, they were Olmstead's. Tonight I stood atop a small bit of history of our city. A spot where countless generations of Atlantan's have taken rest, where children of the Victorian age played.
Linnear Park in Druid Hills was also the place Lance and I spent our first day together, laying in the sun on a quilt, surrounded by those beautiful trees. They will be missed.
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