Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Gail Anne D'Avino

NAME:
- Gail Anne D'Avino

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- Emory University (USA) (1988)

ADVISORS:
- Dan T. Carter

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Inspected

Title: Atlanta municipal parks, 1882-1917: Urban boosterism, urban reform in a New South city

Abstract: One outgrowth of the rapid urbanization of the United States during the nineteenth century was an urban park movement. Reformers responded to the congested conditions and the lack of open spaces by encouraging municipal governments to fund the acquisition and improvement of parks, in an effort to provide urban dwellers with peaceful and uplifting environments. They pushed for "healthy" recreation activities, away from the streets and taverns. New York City started the trend in the 1850s. Atlanta became involved in the 1880s with the development of Grant Park.

The study of Atlanta's park development illuminates several aspects of the urban South during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Public park policy in Atlanta displayed the growing pattern of racial segregation experienced throughout the South during the late nineteenth century. From an atmosphere of racial coexistence in Atlanta's park in the 1880s, the city moved to a policy of black exclusion during the 1890s. Furthermore, "New South" spokesmen became interested in promoting their cities on a national level, and park development became an urban selling point. Atlanta park development also influenced the direction in which the city grew. As real estate developers recognized the financial benefits of parks within their neighborhoods, new suburbs opening up for the white middle and upper classes provided open spaces for new residents. Two results of this tendency was the increased racial segregation of Atlanta housing and the continued exclusion of blacks from local parks. Atlanta park promotors also kept up with the changing recreation preferences of its citizens. Initially, parks provided urbanites with a soothing atmosphere, in contrast to the crowded dirty condition of the city. By the turn of the century, local parks included facilities for more active recreation such as tennis, baseball and swimming as reformers recognized the benefits of strenuous exercise.

By 1917, the foundation of Atlanta's park department had been laid. Technology provided city dwellers with alternative forms of "healthy" recreation, with the advent of the radio, phonograph and film industries. Also, the automobile allowed citizens to live at increasing distances from the city, closer to the open countryside.

MPACT Scores for Gail Anne D'Avino

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-06-01 16:20:19

Advisors and Advisees Graph

generating graph, please reload

Students under Gail Anne D'Avino

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None