Rosa McHugh sees herself as more than just the President and CEO of the Chastain Park Conservancy; she’s a “caretaker for something that’s here for the future.” Her mission? Uniting the neighborhood through the power of green space.
“I really believe in creating community, and I believe the park is a great resource here in Atlanta to bring the community together,” Rosa passionately states. This vision is the driving force behind the $20 million in improvements she’s spearheaded.
The road to Chastain Park
Growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rosa’s appreciation for vibrant community spaces began early. Her journey led her to Syracuse University for a bachelor’s degree in architecture, Georgia Tech for a master’s in city planning with a concentration in urban design, and a minor in historic preservation from Georgia State. This blend of skills has perfectly equipped her to navigate the complexities of Chastain Park. Rosa’s family moved to the area in 2002, and she began volunteering for the Conservancy in 2010. She recalls, “My experience of volunteering for nonprofits starting in college helped prepare me for my current role.” After chairing galas and serving as development director, she became the executive director, and in April 2024, her title changed to President and CEO.
Bringing the park together
Rosa acknowledges the unique structure of Chastain Park, which is owned by the City of Atlanta and teeming with various independent organizations. “The Conservancy takes care of the public areas of the park,” she explains. “Chastain, sometimes people joke that we’re the little sister that wants to be in charge. All these stations started way before us. So the golf course was the first, then the horse park, then NYO [Northside Youth Organization], then the others. The programs, the operators came in. The city does contracts with each one for their properties. So it is golf, tennis, horse park, amphitheater, pool, Galloway School, NYO and the arts center. So I do a lot of bridge building.”
Her passion extends to the environment, as evidenced by the planned 40-acre “park within a park.” “My background in urban planning has really created a drive in me to enhance public spaces,” she shares. “We’re here to conserve our community and enhance our public spaces. We want to make sure we do that.”
Rosa delves into Chastain’s rich history, tracing its roots back to the Treaty of Indian Springs in 1825. She highlights its evolution from industrial plans to its establishment as a park in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The park’s history also includes significant milestones like the 1955 Havatlanta Games and Alfred “Tup” Holmes becoming the first Black golfer to play on an Atlanta-owned golf course.
The Conservancy at work
Speaking about the Conservancy’s achievements, Rosa is most proud of the playground expansion and the surrounding path. “What we’ve been hearing a lot is from grandparents,” she says. “There’s a lot of grandparents that tell me, ‘The playground is too stressful. The kids go every which way. I can’t deal. I don’t want to go. But the trails are fantastic because the kids are in front or behind me. The kids want to engage with me in the moment with this bug, flower, or stick. And when I get to rest in one of the pavilions, I always meet another grandparent.’ So I think that is really cool. I didn’t expect it or design it that way, but it’s a good [attribute] for the park.”
Looking ahead, Rosa is excited about the $12.5 million plans to create the “park within a park,” add a parking deck, and improve pedestrian safety. Plus, the vision of connecting Chastain to the Path400 Trail and the Beltline is taking shape. “The city has just approved a procurement order to hire a consultant to study the connection,” she noted. “But the idea is it would go behind Interlochen [Drive]. Behind Interlochen is [Nancy] Creek, and there’s a lot of property back there. We’ll see what the study says, but it would likely be a raised walkway back there that would connect to Blue Heron [Nature Preserve].”
Rosa McHugh is dedicated to preserving Chastain’s history while ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of the community. Her commitment to “creating community” makes her a vital part of Buckhead’s vibrant tapestry.
