Esther Peachy Lefevre Park

We went today for a chance of pace (getting tired of the same old parks). It is a cute park with new equipment. There weren’t other families there when we went on a weekday morning. The little ones had fun, but this park is not very big. If we lived in Cabbage Town, we would probably come here often, but for me, it wasn’t worth the drive.

This park is hiding in plain sight, has the most trick teeter-​totter I’ve ever seen and there’s water (sometimes) for the little ones and dogs. Mostly I walk here with Mini me but sometimes we pack up the dogs and drive here. My son loves to hear the trains moving in the CSX yard and screams at the Marta trains that pass every few minutes. The swings and rope climb equipment are less Amish than we like in a park but kudos for the indestructibility and soft landing surfaces. During Stomp and Chomp this becomes a nice end to the day and a haven for that last snack, art booth find and mellow music.
I hope this stays the lightly patronized jewel that so many have yet to discover. On the other hand, EPL probably deserves more love so be sure to grab a coffee at Sweet Cheats and turn the corner for a few minutes at EPL before the day gets out of control and the sun reminds you to go swimming.
This is one of several City of Atlanta neighborhood pocket parks including Cabbagetown Park, Historic Old Fourth Ward Park (maybe this is more than a pocket park!) and Lang Carson Park that the east side neighborhoods are thankful and appreciative to see being cared for and at our disposal. It’s not everyday that I pat the City of Atlanta on the back so take the compliment and keep up the great work!

Esther Peachy has been pimped out, but not in a good way; at least not to me. The neighborhood just finished a reno that includes a new playground including super mod playground equipment and a tiny climbing wall. The parks new sod has been laid and the park is now ultra plush.
The things that make me sad about the new reno is that the 3 ½ sided fence has come down– no more containment for dogs (and kids) — and there are only 2 little baby swings (the kind that looks like a diaper). What about the adults who want to swing?
I know I should be happy that Cabbagetown has a spankin’ updated park, but I fear that most of Esther Peachy Lefevres charm has gone out the window. I can’t even picture another fun 4^th of July event taking place, but I guess we shall soon see.

I don’t have kids, but even I want to play at the NEW Esther Peachy park!

When cutting through Cabbagetown (because trying to maneuver two way traffic on a street that’s essentially the width of a sidewalk is SO convenient I regularly subject myself to it), I pass by Esther Peachy LeFevre. Up until fairly recently, I only knew it as the park with the coolest name EVER.
Esther. Peachy. LeFevre. Each one of those names rule. In combination, she sounds like a character from a Walter Mosley novel, all long legs, smoldering eyes and a voice that dripped of sex and cigarette smoke. In reality, I have no idea of Esther Peachy LeFevre is, but the image the name evokes sticks. She could have the brains of Sarah Palin and the sex appeal of Bea Arthur. It doesn’t matter. The Esther Peachy LeFevre in my head is luring private dicks to their doom with merely a look and a hair toss.
So when Unilocaler Vanessa T. asked for an intown park, somewhat out of the way, but easy to find if you looked for it, a park to host a wholesome, yet semi-​questionable activity, multiple people piped up with «Esther Peachy Lefevre.» And so it was. Since that fateful day, I’ve stopped by again, during Chomp and Stomp and found it hosting a stage and a gaggle of music/​chili lovers.
It’s obvious that this park gets much love from the neighborhood. Why shouldn’t it? It’s a little patch of green in Cabbagetown. It’s got a pavilion for picnickers and a cool, modern playset for the little ones (I include Vanessa in that statement.) Sure it’s nothing fancy, but it’s a neighborhood park; it’s not Disneyland. And that name, oh that name.

It’s simultaneously highly visible and tucked away.
Hypothetically speaking, this park is a phenomenal location for a hypothetical underground secret fight club that launches hypothetical blobs of jell-​o and pudding at hypothetical participants.
You know, if those sorts of things were to ever happen.
5 concrete, actual stars.

I had to walk past this park 4 or 5 times before I could remember the name long enough to review it. You might think I’m making this up, but Esther Peachy Lefevre Park is for real. I couldn’t make up a name that awesome.
Located in the elbow of Cabbagetown, this park is about the tiniest little hunk of land I’ve ever seen. If I had to guess its measurements I’d say 70′ by 90′. I’m not kidding. It’s that small.
This ‘park’ is literally a patch of grass. That’s two-​thirds of the land. The other third is a couple of ghetto-​rigged metal twists that I guess kids could play on if they wanted to. They might impale themselves in the process, but, well, you know – occupational hazard.
The swings here have no swings.
I’ve heard that on July 4^th it is a Cabbagetown tradition to gather here and shoot off fireworks. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
I don’t know what Esther Peachy Lefevre did to deserve such a stinky squad of land reserved in her name. Did she shoot somebody’s brother? Was she a two-​timing, pigeon-​toed no-​good grease wizard?
I bet she was nice.