Olmsted Linear Park Alliance (OLPA) Inc.
Executive Director Position Announcement

In 1890, Atlanta businessman Joel Hurt engaged Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., to prepare a plan for developing the area now known as Druid Hills. Olmsted was recognized as the nation’s preeminent designer of parks and public open spaces. His work included Central Park in New York City, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, the Emerald Necklace of Boston, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville and the nation’s Capitol Grounds. The Olmsted firm submitted a preliminary plan to Hurt in 1893 in which the six-segment Linear Park was first laid out. The curving stretches of its landmark greenspace have delighted generations of area residents and the thousands of people who come and go along Ponce de Leon Avenue every day.
Over the years, the Olmsted Linear Park has remained one of Atlanta’s most visible parks. Nonstop usage combined with inadequate maintenance resulted in its gradual decline. To recapture the grandeur of this beautiful and historic park, concerned citizens launched a grassroots effort more than a decade ago.
In 1997, the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance (OLPA) was established to ensure the rehabilitation and preservation of the park for future generations. With support from individuals, foundations and government agencies, OLPA raised $9.5 million for the park’s rehabilitation. Today this historic resource, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm, reflects the quality of peace which Olmsted sought in his designs.

OLPA has, during the past 15 years:
• Planted hundreds of trees and shrubs, referencing the Olmsted plan of 1902.
• Buried overhead utility lines, laid stone curbing and erected historically appropriate lighting fixtures for the length of the park along Ponce de Leon and North and South Ponce de Leon avenues.
• Installed more than five miles of walkways and paths to increase access, enhance vistas and improve drainage.
• Built a new playground for young children in a safer location in the park.
• Corrected erosion and storm water problems throughout the park and rebuilt the stream bed and catch basin in the Deepdene segment of the park.
• Improved sidewalks and crosswalks bordering the park to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, in addition to laying a new sidewalk along the main Ponce de Leon side of Deepdene Park.
• Installed signs which identify each park segment and explain the historic importance of the park.

OLPA has an annual budget of $200,000, and assets in excess of $1 million. The organization’s fiscal year is January 1-December 31, and OLPA governed by a 16-member Board of Directors. OLPA has, over the years, acquired several hundred supporters and volunteers, including former board and advisory board members.

The successful candidate will be someone who is passionate about the work of the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance and the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted: a strong leader with the demonstrated ability to grow and sustain a nonprofit organization while attracting people and resources to the organization. OLPA is seeking a results-oriented, highly organized, open and inclusive leader with proven team management skills and a collaborative sensibility.

Applicants must have progressive organizational leadership experience, and experience in a related field of work is preferred.

This is an exciting, rewarding position for a candidate who has the drive and desire to make a difference in an already-successful organization. Only applications that contain a cover letter, resume, writing sample, contact information for three references, and a salary history will be accepted via e-mail or fax. Send before January 25, 2013, to:

Terri Theisen
Theisen Consulting LLC
Fax: 404-393-3527
terri@theisenconsulting.com