East Lake, Georgia

In DeKalb County, East Lake has reinvented itself as a cohesive neighborhood attracting growing numbers of young families. An active community association was instrumental in developing an exemplary park plan. With funding from corporate partners and more than 800 community volunteers, much of the innovative park, including playground and recreation center, ball fields and trails, were built during a six-hour period in 2005. It is an active gathering spot on most weekends and the pride of the community.

East Lake holds the unique position of being situated further east than any of Atlanta’s 238 neighborhoods, but it is still only about a 6-mile drive from downtown Atlanta. A family-oriented, historic enclave of early 20th century cottages and bungalows, East Lake is currently enjoying renewed popularity due to its local shops, eateries, and convenient car access to downtown.

Golf is the game in East Lake, with not only a PGA course, but a second public course designed by Rees Jones. East Lake Golf Club is the home course of golf master Bobby Jones and the site of the PGA Tour Championship golf tournament. Located adjacent is the public Charlie Yates Golf Course. However, the neighborhood has other attractions as well, including a thriving farmers’ market that runs from April through October, charity cook-offs and other community events, a raised-bed urban farm, and a yard of the month program. With modern mixed-use developments on the rise, East Lake has become a newly trendy neighborhood.

The neighborhood grew out of a 19th-century plantation with the original home still standing across the street from East Lake Golf Club, where the PGA's annual Tour Championship is held. There really is an East Lake as well, and before 1900 there was a streetcar line with regular service to the area. East Lake cottages became popular with Atlanta residents as a way to escape the hustle and the heat of the city during hot summer months.