Parque Centenario closed due to the financial impact of COVID-19

Centennial Olympic Park is closed indefinitely, according to a statement released Monday by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), which manages the park. Executive director Frank Poe said the authority has lost revenue from canceled summer activities and cannot afford to keep the park open to the public.

“The financial ramifications of this global pandemic have particularly affected the hospitality industry, including the Georgia World Congress Center Authority,” said Poe. “The park has the operational support of the GWCC and without event activities on our campus, the costs associated with maintaining public access to the park are not feasible.

Poe added that the authority will work to preserve the park’s green space and landscape “in anticipation of daily uses at some point in the future.”

Thousands of people have used the park during protests since the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day in Minnesota while in police custody. A rally was held there on Saturday.

The annual fireworks celebration on July 4 at the Centennial Olympic Park was canceled this year, also due to the pandemic.

In addition to the park, the GWCCA includes the Georgia World Congress Center and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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