City of Forest Acres Parks

City Park Usage: What's Permitted & What's Prohibited

The City of Forest Acres welcomes residents to enjoy our public parks for personal recreation and small gatherings. Informal events such as birthday parties, family picnics, or T-ball team celebrations do not require an event permit and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because these are private gatherings, the City does not maintain a reservation calendar for small parties.

Organized events hosted by nonprofits, businesses, churches, schools, or other organizations require prior approval from the City. An Event Application must be completed, submitted, and approved before the event takes place. Events held without the required approval may be subject to cancellation or shutdown.

Requestors may fill out an event application here.

All park users are expected to help keep our parks clean and enjoyable for everyone. Groups must remove all trash and leave the area free of food, paper products, confetti, balloons, decorations, and any other debris before departing. 

Neighborhood Parks

Forest Acres is known for having some of the best parks in the midlands. Citadel Park, Idalia Park, and Pinetree Park are all neighborhood parks found tucked away along tree-lined residential streets in southern Forest Acres. They all feature open areas for picnicking or playing. 

The NEW "Mall Park" and Amphitheater

The City is currently building a new park complete with an amphitheater, a great lawn, a state of the art playgorund, a ADA walking path, a reading garden, and so much more at the former Richland Mall site. The still yet to be named park will cover six acres and become the largest park in the City's portfolio. Click here to learn more about City Council's timeless vision for the new park set to open Spring 2028.   

The mall itself was sold to Southeastern Development in 2022 and was demolished over the next few years. As of September 2026, construction has officially begun with footers and concrete being poured at the site. The mixed-use commercial and residential property will open a Kroger Marketplace and Luxury Apartments first alongside the city's park in 2028. Nearly 50-70,000 square feet of retail outparcels will follow. 

Gills Creek Memorial Park

Gills Creek Memorial Park is along Gills Creek at 24 Forest Lake Place Drive. 

It opened in April 2024 and features a greenspace, a boardwalk for fishing, a splash pad and performance stage. The splash pad is open sun up to sun down during the spring, summer and fall months. The park itself is open sun up to sun down year round. 

Gills Creek Memorial Park hosts the weekly Forest Acres Farmers Market presented by Lexington Health every Wednesday from 2-6 p.m.from April thorugh November. 

The park also hosts city events like Picnic in the Park and Arts in the Acres as they are scheduled.

It has also become a destination for many runs held by Strictly Running in the Midlands as well as the annual Lexington Health Heart and Sole Women's Five Miler every May.

There is also a fallen police officer memorial at Gills Creek Memorial Park in honor of two Forest Acres Police Officers shot and killed in the line of duty: Richey O'Brian Finch (1974) and Greg Alia (2015). 

Citadel Park and Idalia Park

Citadel Park and Idalia Park are also equipped with playground activities for children of all ages and comfortable seating for adults. 

Citadel Park went thorugh a remodel following Hurricane Helene damage and reopened in the spring of 2026. The surfacing was replaced, dozens of new trees were planted, a new pavilion was built and relocated to the far edge of the park to allow for more uninterrupted green space. The park also had all of its bench swings replaced and was outfitted with new city signage.

Pinetree Park

Pinetree Park is an open, peaceful green space with swings and picnic tables. It is ideal for children or pets to run and play uninterrupted. Or for adults to enjoy a spot to read and relax.

Quinine Hill Park

Quinine Hill Park features a walking trail and newly updated bench swings. It is located near the intersection of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard. Quinine Hill Park also has covered picnic tables for small gatherings or events and quiet seating for lunch-hour getaways or afternoon reading.