Community Change Maker THRIVE Award Winner: Billie

When you first see Mattie Freeland Park, you may notice a few things right away. You will see the giant yellow slide, wide enough for families to slide together, or the grills that line the green space for a summertime cookout, or you might notice all the Atlanta Habitat houses that surround the park.

But if you stay in the park long enough you will almost certainly see the park’s unofficial official keeper, Billie Walker.

When Billie moved into the English Avenue in 2006 neighborhood, it had a different reputation, and no park.  The then 27-year-old single mother was settling into her first home and just wanted a safe place for her child to play.  

“At the time children used to play in the street and we were close to hitting them [with our cars],” Billie explained. “They would have basketball courts in the middle of the street.”

Luckily, she already had an idea.

There was a vacant lot across the street from Billie’s home that was owned by her church, New Life Covenant Church.  

“I came on board to help with the green space, maybe ten years ago,” she recalled. “Building out this Mattie Freedom Park, took years, a lot of fundraising.”

Billie is the first to let you know that this was a group effort. She worked alongside many community members to build out the park in the image the neighbors imagined.  

There are now four parks, a community building and a welcoming community for people to gather.  

“I’m blessed to keep Mattie Freeland’s legacy going and serving the children, the parents, the grandparents, and the neighborhood.”

At the THRIVE Awards, Billie was awarded the Community Change Maker Award for making an impact in the community where she lives.