Oakland’s New East Gate is Now Open

A new gate near the intersection of Boulevard and Memorial Drive was completed this week, allowing visitors to enter historic Oakland Cemetery from the east.

The construction of the East Gate is part of a larger effort by Historic Oakland Foundation to preserve, restore, enhance, and share the historic East Hill section of the Cemetery. In addition to the new gate, this area will see the introduction of new user amenities including park benches, pet stations, and wayfinding and interpretive signage.

“The new gate re-establishes connections between Oakland Cemetery and the Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown communities and will allow our visitors to more easily and accessibly explore the beautiful eastern side of Oakland including the recently restored African American and Jewish Burial Grounds and the large open meadow of Potter’s Field,” noted Richard Harker, co-executive director of Historic Oakland Foundation.

The East Gate also further connects Oakland Cemetery to the rapid development of the Memorial Drive corridor and the Atlanta BeltLine, allowing a high volume of visitors to access the Cemetery without having to travel the sidewalk along Memorial Drive to the pedestrian gate further to the west.

“We are thrilled to provide greater access to one of Atlanta’s most treasured assets particularly at this time as many are rediscovering the value of accessible outdoor spaces for recreation, respite, and relaxation,” Harker said.

Historic Oakland Foundation has received funding for this project through the Aderhold Family Foundation and the Park Pride Community Building Grant program, supported by The Home Depot Foundation. Historic Oakland Foundation is proud to partner with these two organizations that represent the Atlanta communities served by Oakland Cemetery.