Grant Park, named after Colonel Lemuel P. Grant, is recognized as one of the most historic districts in Atlanta.  Grant Park encompasses 131 acres of mature lush green space and is located approximately three miles southeast of Downtown Atlanta.  A large portion of the building structures here were constructed in the late 19th century.  There are several historical landmarks located throughout the park for residents and visitors alike to view. 

Some of the places in or near Grant Park include The Cyclorama, Oakland Cemetery, and Zoo Atlanta.  The Cyclorama is a huge (13 meters by 106 meters) panoramic depiction of The Battle of Atlanta, painted in 1885-6 by William Wehner.   Oakland Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of Atlantans, including Margaret Mitchell, author of the seminal novel Gone With the Wind, and golf legend Bobby Jones. 

Zoo Atlanta has been part of Atlanta’s history since 1889.  The zoo enjoyed less than a stellar reputation in the early ‘80s but has since claimed a global reputation as a leader in research and conservation efforts.  The zoo developed a relationship with China which culminated in the 1999 arrival of Lun Lun and Yang Yang, two giant pandas.  They are housed in a state-of-the-art exhibit, and Zoo Atlanta joined only two other zoos in housing giant pandas.  In September of 2006, Zoo Atlanta announced the birth of Mei Lan, Lun Lun and Yang Yang's first offspring. This panda cub birth is the fifth birth in a U.S. zoo within the last six years.