ATLANTA — Five years of construction work finally came to fruition Friday morning when the City of Atlanta cut the ribbon and opened the first phase of the long-awaited Westside Park.

The park is now the largest in metro Atlanta at 280 acres. It’s located on the site of the former Bellwood Quarry, which is in the area of Marietta Boulevard and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

The city’s Department of Watershed Management started the $44 million project in 2016. The city said the project will transform the west side of town and provide 2.4 billion gallons of emergency drinking water for Atlanta’s residents. That supply will increase the current three day supply to over 30 days.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was among the city leaders who gathered at the park to cut a celebratory ribbon to commemorate the opening Friday morning.

When fully operational, the park will take up roughly 280 acres, which is 100 acres larger than Piedmont Park. The park will also connect the Proctor Creek Greenway and the Chattahoochee River Corridor with Atlanta’s Beltline.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Atlanta rapper identified as suspect involved in chase, crash on GA 400
• Man found shot to death at Alpharetta apartment complex
• FAA releases report on unruly passengers on Atlanta flights

Some of the park’s features include lighting, signage and graphics that will help enhance pedestrian and bike traffic. There will be event, wedding and festival venues on the property as well.

The scenic overlook will provide panoramic views of the reservoir and the downtown and midtown Atlanta skyline accessed by walking trails.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

The Bellwood Quarry, perhaps the most visible part of the park to people outside Atlanta remains. The quarry has been a part of multiple film projects including The Fast and Furious and The Hunger Games along with TV Shows like The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries.

©2021 Cox Media Group