Fenced off in 1996 due to terrorism concerns during the Summer Olympics, “The Hill” will once again be open to the public. As one of the highest points in the city, the park at the corner of Howell Mill Road and 17th Street will be perfect for picnics and Instagram-worthy moments.

Upper Westside Improvement District (UWID) and Friends of Waterworks have been negotiating with the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management for five years to get the fences pushed back and the park reopened to the public.

“Upper Westside Improvement District has never given up on the effort to open the reservoir grounds,” said UWID Executive Director Elizabeth Hollister. “The residents and the businesses tell us they want more parks in the Howell Mill – Marietta area, and we have a huge, magnificent space which was once open to everyone and will be again.”

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As we all know, Covid has cast its pale face on almost all aspects of society and human interaction. But rather than squash the Alliance (which Scrooge would enjoy), the intrepid theatre has pivoted: It has produced an entirely reimagined play with new staging directed by Leora Morris, a new adaptation by David H. Bell, stunning costumes by Mariann Verheyen, and a re-conceived set by Tony winner Todd Rosenthal. The show will run through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

I noticed a subtle but telling difference in the ambience of the proceedings: a lack of warmth, almost a barrenness pervades the play, especially in the first act. We must remember that Dickens published his story in 1843, and he certainly noticed that many people were experiencing really hard times.

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