Blue Heron Nature Preserve

May 31, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Blue Heron Nature Preserve is along Nancy Creek in North Buckhead.

The Blueway Trail of Eidson Mill, Emma Lane Wetlands, and Land O’ Lakes was completed in 2020, and now all the trails at the preserve are combined (other than some brief sidewalk connections)

Address: 4055 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
Admission: Free
Governance: City of Atlanta, Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Acres: 30
Approximate miles of trails: 3
Hours: 6am to 11pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 8
MARTA directions: The number 5 bus runs between Dunwoody and Lindbergh stations and stops right outside Blue Heron (Lakemoore Drive or 4090 Roswell Road stop)
Parking: There is parking available at 4055 Roswell Rd (the office/school) and just north of there at the community garden. There is also street parking available in the neighborhood.
Trailhead(s): There are many trailheads. There is a trailhead from the parking area off Roswell Rd. as well as other trailheads on Roswell Road, Lakemoore Drive, Rickenbacker Drive, Emma Lane, and Land O Lakes Drive.
Trail surface: Natural
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 1 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Features:

Community garden
USGS creek monitoring station
Picnic areas
Apiaries
Photo blind
Bike racks (at the office)

November 16, 2016

Great Blue Skimmer, May 31, 2021

Eidson Mill Trail, November 16, 2016

Carolina Wren, January 13, 2017

Beaver Tail Trail, November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016

Eastern Chipmunk

More photos on Flickr

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Featured

Mountain Way Common

Featured

May 21, 2017

Park Pride Community Garden Tour, May 20, 2017

May 21, 2017

Updated August 2, 2016, November 16, 2016, January 13, 2017, March 11, 2018, & May 31, 2021

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: West Palisades

West Palisades

May 22, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Also known as: Paces Mill Unit
Address: 3444 Cobb Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339
Cost of admission: Free, $5/day parking fee per car
Governance: NPS
Friends of the Park Group: Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
Acres: 302
Approximate miles of trails: 6
Hours: Dawn to dusk, exact park hours are posted at the trailheads
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 10
Transit directions: Take the 12 MARTA bus from Midtown Station to the Cobb Pkwy & River Pkwy stop. The park entrance is only about 0.2 miles south of the stop. For access to & from the southbound bus, you can cross under Cobb Parkway from the park parking lot instead of needing to cross the highway at grade.
Cycling directions: A multi-use path (partly outlined here) connects West Palisades to Cochran Shoals. It’s about 3 miles between the two units by bike.
Trailhead(s): There is a second trailhead at 932 Akers Ridge Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
Parking: Paid parking is available at both trailheads
Trail surface: Part paved, part natural
Blazes/markings: Each intersection is marked with a map
Restrooms: There are restrooms at the Cobb Parkway parking lot and near the Akers Ridge parking lot
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Fishing allowed: Yes
Best time to visit: If you arrive in the first weekend in November, like I happened to in 2016, especially if the weather is unseasonably warm, you might find dozens of fly fishers in the river. This is because of the "Delayed Harvest" rule, where fish must be released along this section of the Chattahoochee between November 1 and May 14 of each year. This is a time when the river is stocked with trout from hatcheries, so it's considered to be a good time and place for beginners to fish.

Guidebook mentions: Chapter 9 in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles (3rd edition), page 104 in Hiking the Hooch (1st edition), trip 78 in Afoot & Afield Atlanta (2nd edition), chapter 61 in Hiking Georgia (4th edition)

Features:

Restrooms
Boat ramp

Links:
Map (PDF)

November 6, 2016

November 4, 2017

Blue-tipped Dancer, May 22, 2021

November 6, 2016

More photos on Flickr

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Featured

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive & Interstate North)

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: East Palisades (Whitewater Creek & Indian Trail)

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Powers Island

Bob Callan/Rottenwood Creek Trail

Updated November 6, 2016, November 4, 2017 & May 22, 2021

Zonolite Park

August 09, 2020 by Shawn Taylor in parks

This former brownfield was cleaned up beginning in 2011. The pollutants were removed – as well as kudzu, privet, and other invasives – and there is now a nice meadow/seasonal wetland area and a creekside trail. Zonolite Park is home to Nickel Bottom Community Garden and a pollinator garden.

As of 2020, Zonolite Park & Herbert Taylor Park almost connect along Johnson Rd. Zonolite’s trails connect to a parking lot on Johnson Rd. on the north/east side of Peachtree Creek, and Herbert Taylor has a new trailhead on Johnson Rd. on the other side of the creek.

Address (approximate): 1101 Zonolite Place NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Cost of Admission: None
Acres: 13
Approximate miles of trails: 1.5
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5
MARTA directions: From Five Points, take the 16 to Briarcliff Rd NE @ Johnson Rd NE, then walk west on Zonolite Rd. Take the 2nd left on Zonolite Pl and continue to the end of the road.
Alternatively take the #6 from Inman Park/Reynoldstown or Lindbergh to Clifton Rd@Briarcliff Rd. Walk southwest on Briarcliff, take the first right on Zonolite Rd, and follow the directions above.
Parking: There is a lot at the trailhead on Zonolite Pl.
Trail surface: Some natural, some large gravel
Dogs allowed: Yes
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Community garden
Pollinator garden

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

Strip mall at the corner of Briarcliff and Clifton includes a Kroger and several restaurants
QuikTrip gas station on Briarcliff, 0.5 miles from the park entrance
Floataway Cafe is adjacent to the park, but only open for dinner

Links:

November 9, 2014

November 20, 2016

September 24, 2017

Red-shouldered Hawk, September 24, 2017

September 24, 2017

Gray Catbird, September 24, 2017

December 9, 2017

May 27, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Updated August 1, 2016, November 20, 2016, September 24, 2017, May 27, 2018, and August 9, 2020

Murphey Candler Park

January 06, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 1551 W Nancy Creek Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30319
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Brookhaven
Friends of the Park Group: Murphey Candler Park Conservancy
Acres: 135
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 11
MARTA directions: Not very transit accessible. There are buses you can take to cut the distance slightly, but probably the most time-efficient route is to take the train to Dunwoody Station, walk east on Hammond Drive, turn right on Ashford Dunwoody, turn left on Oak Forest Dr, take a slight right onto Ashwoody Trail, turn right on Ashwoody Ct, turn left on Long Branch Ct, and then enter at the northeast trailhead. This is about a 1.4 mile walk from train station to trailhead.
Driving directions: From downtown, take GA-400 N to I-285. Take exit 4A to I-285 E. Take exit 29. Follow the signs for Ashford-Dunwoody S and merge onto Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE. Turn left onto W Nancy Creek Dr NE. Parking is available on both the left and right sides.
Parking: There are several parking lots available at the park
Trail surface: Some paved, most natural
Blazes/markings: None
Dogs allowed: Yes
Fishing allowed: Yes
Best time to visit: Murphey Candler has great fall foliage
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 15 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Amenities:

Many picnic pavilions, most are reservable, many have grills
Playground
Tennis courts
Ball fields
Swimming pool
Restrooms

Links:

Features:

Pavilions with picnic tables
Multi-use fields
Bike racks near fields
Tennis courts
Swimming pool

February 18, 2013

November 5, 2017

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

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Featured

Ashford Forest Preserve

Brook Run

Dunwoody Nature Center

Updated August 3, 2016, January 18, 2017, November 5, 2017, and January 6, 2019

Lullwater Preserve and Hahn Woods

Lullwater Preserve

October 14, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Note: As of August 2022, the trail between Lullwater Preserve and Hahn Woods is closed for sewer line repairs. The suspension bridge is also closed.

According to a sign in Lullwater Preserve, "The place called Lullwater passed through four stages in its history: Piedmont forest; hunting grounds for the Cherokee and Creek nations; site of farms, mills, and residences for European American settlers; and finally as a resource for Emory University, which has used it alternately to house the president, to sell for profit, to build on, and to preserve for recreation and education."

Today, the park has a neat pedestrian suspension bridge over the south fork of Peachtree Creek.

Signs at some of the trailheads state that the trail is for use by Emory staff, faculty, and students. I have never heard of this being enforced, with many groups and individuals visiting regularly.

The PATH trail in Medlock, Melton, and Mason Mill parks is planned to connect to Lullwater Preserve, and construction began in 2017. As of October 2018, there is a fence blocking where I would expect the trail to connect, so I am unsure what is planned.

Also known as: Lullwater Park; Emory President’s Estate
Address: 1463 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322
Cost of admission: None
Governance: Emory University
Acres: 154
Approximate miles of trails: 4
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
MARTA directions: Take the #6 MARTA bus from Lindbergh or Inman Park to the Clifton Rd NE @ Haygood Dr NE stop. From there, walk north along Clifton Road for a little over a block. The entrance to the preserve is on the right.
Parking: Parking is available at the Hahn Woods trailhead at 866 Houston Mill Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. From what I understand, parking at the Clifton School at 1900 Starvine Way is free on the weekends.
Trail surface: Some paved, some natural, some gravel
Dogs allowed: Yes
Fishing allowed: Yes, catch and release only
Best time to visit: Early-November fall foliage is excellent
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 5 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

May 2, 2015

November 3, 2016

Hahn Woods beech, November 3, 2016

November 3, 2016

Great Blue Heron, January 12, 2017

December 9, 2017

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Featured

Mason Mill/Melton/Medlock Parks

WildWoods & Fernbank Forest

Lullwater Conservation Garden

Updated November 4, 2016, January 12, 2017, April 9, 2017, and October 14, 2018

Kittredge Park

October 03, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

The primary trail sections near the main trailhead are bordered with logs and filled with mulch and pine straw. There are numerous benches along the trail, and there is also a picnic area. The park has ball fields, a pool, a community garden, and a playground. The community garden and playground are at the Holly Lane entrance to the park.

Also known as: Elwyn John Wildlife Sanctuary
Address (approximate): 1500 Kittredge Park Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30329
Cost of admission: None
Acres: 29
Approximate miles of trails: 1.5
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 8
MARTA directions: Take the 30 bus from Lindbergh Station to Briarcliff Rd NE @ Woodlake Dr NE. Walk southeast on N Druid Hills. Turn right on Kittredge Park Rd and walk to the end.
Parking: Free parking is available at the end of Kittredge Park Rd. Street parking is also available off of Holly Ln near the playground.
Trail surface: Natural/mulch
Blazes/markings: There are some signs to mark the loop trail
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 10 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Amenities:

Playground
Ballfields and pool
Trash cans
Picnic tables

Nearby amenities/conveniences:
There are several restaurants, a Target, a drug store, and two gas stations at or near the intersection of N Druid Hills and Briarcliff, about a 10-minute walk from the Kittredge Park Dr. trailhead.

November 5, 2016

Nantahalla Crossing, Eagle Scout service project of Levi Siegelman, October 2012, photo from November 5, 2016

November 5, 2016

May 2, 2018

June 6, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

Good to combine with:

Featured

Peachtree Creek Greenway

Mason Mill/Melton/Medlock Parks

W.D. Thomson Park

Updated August 2, 2016, November 5, 2016 & October 3, 2018

Connally Nature Park

September 29, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Check out the rare pink lady's slipper orchids in late April or early May.

Connally Nature Park is also home to Atlanta’s champion white oak. As well as the champion, several other large, old white oaks are present along the trail.

The land was deeded by the Connally family to the City of East Point in 1991. East Point planned to use the land for a softball field or an elementary school but Trees Atlanta fought to preserve the land and the oaks and eventually won.

Address: Mulberry Ct, East Point, GA 30344
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of East Point
Acres: 27
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 7:00am to 10:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 7
MARTA directions: From West End station, take the #81 bus to Delowe Dr@Elinwood Dr. Walk east on Elinwood Drive for one block. Head left on Mulberry St. The park will be on your right.
Cycling directions: From East Point station, exit to the west (towards Main St.) Turn right on Main St. After 0.3 mile, turn left on Ware Ave. After 0.6 miles, turn left on Headland Dr. After 0.6 miles, turn right on Delowe. After 0.4 miles, turn right on Connally. Take the first right on Mulberry St. and then the first left into the park. There is no bike rack available. Total cycling distance is 2.2 miles. Note: Main St. is one way, so you will need to return via East Point St.
Parking: Parking is available at the trailhead.
Trailheads: Both trailheads connect to the grassy area near the parking area.
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: None
Dogs allowed: Yes
Best time to visit: Late April or early May
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Parking
Dog poop bags and trash can

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

Gas station, grocery stores, and restaurants at the intersection of Headland & Delowe

April 18, 2015

August 24, 2014

April 18, 2015

August 24, 2014

April 18, 2015

September 29, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

Good to combine with:

Featured

Hampton-Beecher Nature Preserve

Sykes Park

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

Updated August 3, 2016 & September 29, 2018

Hampton-Beecher Nature Preserve

August 19, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

This nature preserve is composed of two parks, one named after its former owner, jazz musician Lionel Hampton, and the other sharing its name with nearby Beecher Hills School. The nature preserve is largely mature forest. The trails are a combination of paved, multi-use trails and natural-surface nature trails. There are plans to connect the paved trails to the Beltline.

History: The park contains trenches and fortifications used by Union troops in the Battles of Ezra Church and Utoy Creek. Near this site were the locations of the Peyton Road wall, barriers meant to prevent African Americans from easily entering the Cascade Heights neighborhood.

Also known as: Lionel Hampton Park, Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park
Address: 366 Willis Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30310
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Atlanta
Acres: 54
Approximate miles of trails: 4
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5
MARTA directions: The park is 0.7 miles from H.E. Holmes train station
Cycling directions: Take MARTA to H.E. Holmes Station and exit towards M.L. King Jr Dr. Head left on MLK. After 0.2 miles, turn right on Willis Mill Rd. Continue to the end of the road, where the PATH trail begins.
Parking: Street parking is available at several trailheads, including the one at the end of Willis Mill Rd.
Trailhead(s):
Trail surface: PATH trail is paved, other paths are natural surface
Blazes/markings: PATH trails are marked, others are not
Dogs allowed: Yes
Best time to visit: Fall foliage is excellent
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Playground
Fitness trail

Links:
PATH Foundation
West Atlanta Watershed Alliance

Grey trails are paved, green trails are unpaved

July 26, 2014

June 7, 2014

October 18, 2014

November 19, 2016

August 19, 2018

November 19, 2016

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

Featured

Aug 3, 2016

Outdoor Activity Center

Aug 3, 2016

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

Aug 3, 2016

Updated August 3, 2016, November 19, 2016 & August 19, 2018

Constitution Lakes

April 14, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Formerly the site of South River Brick Works, many bricks can still be found here. This park is also home to the Doll's Head Trail – brainchild of Joel Slaton – a creepy art project communally created using objects found in the park.

Address: Intersection of Moreland Ave and S River Industrial Blvd SE
Cost of admission: None
Governance: DeKalb County
Acres: 267
Approximate miles of trails: 3
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
MARTA directions: From Five Points Station, take the #49 bus to Bailey St SE @ Fayetteville Rd SE. From there, walk Southwest on Fayetteville Rd. Continue south on Moreland. Turn left onto S River Industrial Blvd SE. The sign for the park is immediately ahead. It's about a nine minute walk from the bus stop to the park entrance.
Parking: There is parking at the trailhead
Trail surface: Paved and boardwalk from the parking lot to the lake. Other sections are natural surface or boardwalk
Geocaching: Yes
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 2 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Links:

May 24, 2015

November 22, 2016

Great Blue Heron, April 16, 2017

April 16, 2017

November 22, 2016

For more photos, see my flickr album.

Good to combine with:

Southside Park
Old Atlanta Prison Farm (post forthcoming)
South River Trail (post forthcoming; PATH Foundation link)

Updated August 2, 2016, November 22, 2016, April 1 & 16, 2017, and April 14, 2018

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: East Palisades (Whitewater Creek & Indian Trail)

April 10, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 4050 Whitewater Creek Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 (approximate) OR 1425 Indian Trail NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30327
Cost of admission: Free, $5 parking per car
Governance: NPS
Acres: 393
Approximate miles of trails: 5
Hours: Dawn to dusk, exact park hours are posted at the trailheads
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 10
MARTA directions: Not really MARTA accessible
Parking: Parking available at both trailheads
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: Some trails are blazed with blue. Each trail intersection has signage.
Geocaching: No
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 8 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition), chapter 8 in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles (3rd edition), page 110 in Hiking the Hooch (1st edition), trip 77 in Afoot & Afield Atlanta (2nd edition), chapter 62 in Hiking Georgia (4th edition)

Links:

Trail map

October 31, 2016

May 10, 2017

October 31, 2016

May 10, 2017

October 31, 2016

May 10, 2017

April 10, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

REI Hiking Project

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Updated November 1, 2016, May 10, 2017 & April 10, 2018

Olmsted Linear Park

March 31, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

In 1890, Atlanta businessman Joel Hurt was planning Druid Hills to be Atlanta’s “ideal residential suburb”. He approached Frederick Law Olmsted — a co-designer of New York City’s Central Park — to design the Olmsted Linear Parks. Originally, a streetcar ran along the edge of the park. A trolley shelter still stands in the Deepdene segment, at the intersection of East Lake and Ponce.

The park consists of six segments. From west to east, they are: Springdale, Virgilee, Oak Grove, Shadyside, Dellwood, and Deepdene. With the exception of Virgilee, the segments are names after a feature of the segment. Virgilee Park is named after Druid Hills developer Joel Hurt’s daughter who died at a young age. Virgilee Park was originally going to be called “Oaklawn.”

The five western segments are pastoral, large grassy areas punctuated by old trees. The easternmost segment — Deepdene — is very different. Deepdene is a natural woodland with a stream flowing through it. While all the paths in the five western segments are paved, most of the trails in Deepdene have a natural surface. Deepdene is the largest of the park segments, at 22 acres.

Address: 1000 South Ponce De Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Cost of admission: None
Acres: 45
Approximate miles of trails: 4
Hours: The City of Atlanta part of the park (Springdale, Virgilee, Oak Grove, and Shadyside) is open 6:00am to 11:00pm; the Dekalb County portion (Dellwood and Deepdene) is open 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 4
MARTA directions: Take the #2 bus from North Avenue or East Lake station. There are several stops along Ponce that are adjacent to the park
Cycling directions: The Freedom Park PATH is near the park
Parking: On-street parking is available on S Ponce and N Ponce alongside the park segments
Geocaching: There are geocaches in the park
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 8 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Links:
Olmsted Linear Park Alliance: Web Facebook
Olmsted Plein Air Invitational

November 8, 2014

October 8, 2016

Springdale Segment, December 10, 2017

March 31, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Updated August 1, 2016, October 9, 2016, December 10, 2017, and March 31, 2018

Morningside Nature Preserve

January 26, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

“The Wildwood Urban Forest Committee, a dedicated group of neighborhood residents, worked for three years to stop the destruction of 30 acres of mature forest located in northeast Atlanta. The funding to purchase the property included donations by neighbors, a private foundation and both city and state greenspace funds. The Nature Conservancy negotiated with the developer and finalized the sale of the land. The parcel known as the Wildwood Urban Forest was transferred to the City of Atlanta after the City Council unanimously passed a resolution to purchase the parcel in 2001. It was renamed The Morningside Nature Preserve in February 2006.” —The Morningside Nature Preserve Master Plan

Address (approximate): 2020 Lenox Road NE, Atlanta GA 30306
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Atlanta
Acres: 34
Approximate miles of trails: 2.5
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5
MARTA directions: Take the 27 from Midtown Station to Cheshire Bridge Rd NE@Liddell Dr. From there, walk east on Cheshire Bridge. Take the next right onto Wellbourne Drive. The entrance to the park is on the left. It's about a 0.2 mile walk from the bus stop to the trailhead.
Trail surface: Dirt

Features:

Suspension bridge
Water fountain and bike rack at Lenox Rd trailhead

Finding the primary trailhead:
From Cheshire Bridge Rd, turn East on Woodland Ave NE. Take the first right onto Lenox Rd NE. Drive 0.3 miles. The parking lot for Morningside is on the right, just past the railroad tracks.

There are two other trailheads available. One is on Wellbourne Dr. Some street parking is available. The third trailhead, on Wildwood Rd NE, is unmarked. You’ll walk down a gravel road for a while, and then the trail will split from the road on your left. There is street parking available at this trailhead.

Parking: The primary trailhead has a parking lot with bike racks and a water fountain.

August 10, 2014

February 4, 2017

May 9, 2017

Swallow-tailed Kite, May 9, 2017

January 24, 2018

Good to combine with:

Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve and Herbert Taylor Park
Confluence Trail (post forthcoming)

Updated August 1, 2016, February 4, 2017, May 9, 2017, and January 26, 2018

Lullwater Conservation Garden

December 10, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

This tiny 6.5 acre park is home to a number of truly large trees, including a state co-champion beech.

The Lullwater Garden Club was founded in 1928, and they purchased Lullwater Conservation Garden from Emory University in 1964.

Address (approximate): 834 Lullwater Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Admission: Free
Acres: 6.5
Approximate miles of trails: <1
Hours: Uncertain
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 4
Trail surface: Natural

Links:
Lullwater Garden Club

November 8, 2014

November 3, 2016

Georgia state champion beech, November 3, 2016

November 3, 2016

Under several large tulip poplars, November 3, 2016

November 3, 2016

November 3, 2013

November 3, 2016

December 10, 2017

Good to combine with:

Updated November 4, 2016 & December 10, 2017

BeltLine Interim Hiking Trail: Eastside Trail Northern Extension

December 01, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

  Note: As of July 2020, construction has begun to pave this section. Trails north of Westminster Drive may not be accessible.

Sometimes before sections of the BeltLine are paved, they are opened for access to people on foot or bicycle. These are considered "interim hiking trails" since they will eventually be converted to multi-use path and hopefully also light rail.

This particular interim hiking trail stretches from the paved Eastside BeltLine trail at 10th and Monroe northwards alongside Piedmont Park to Montgomery Ferry Drive.

Address (approximate): 997 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta GA 30306
Admission: None
Acres: N/A
Approximate miles of trails: ½
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 3
Trail surface: Dirt and gravel with some railroad ballast

Features:

Directly adjacent to Piedmont Park
Several Art on the BeltLine pieces

October 1, 2016

December 1, 2016

Good to combine with:

Piedmont Park
BeltLine Eastside Trail (forthcoming)
Morningside Nature Preserve

Featured

Oct 3, 2016

Bike-N-Bird: Piedmont Park, October 1, 2016

Oct 3, 2016

Updated October 3, 2016 & December 1, 2016

Tanyard Creek Park

November 30, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

The Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought here during the Civil War. Historical markers at the trailhead provide details about the battle.

The trail is part of the BeltLine, so it will eventually connect to other trail segments.

Address (approximate): 484 Collier Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Admission: None
Acres: 21
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm

Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5

Links:
PATH Foundation
Beltline

June 17, 2014

November 30, 2016

June 17, 2014

July 22, 2014

November 30, 2016

July 22, 2014

May 30, 2015

Photo by Marc Turnley, October 16, 2016

October 16, 2016

November 30, 2016

Good to combine with:

Updated August 1, 2016, October 23, 2016 & November 30, 2016

Woodlands Garden

November 20, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 932 Scott Blvd, Decatur, GA 30030
Admission: Free
Acres: 7
Approximate miles of trails: 0.5
Hours: Daylight hours
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6

Features:

Visitors center
Outdoor classroom

Links:
Woodlands Garden

Mockernut Hickory, November 20, 2016

November 20, 2016

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum, November 20, 2016

November 20, 2016

November 11, 2013

Devil's Walkingstick, November 20, 2016

November 11, 2013

November 20, 2016

Good to combine with:

Updated August 3, 2016 & November 20, 2016

Spink-Collins Park

October 30, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Both Spink and Collins allow on-street parking, but parking on Spink is usually the better bet. There's a gate at the end of Spink St. You can park here and walk around the gate, continuing down the road to enter the park.

Address (approximate): 1800 Spink St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Admission: None
Acres: 21
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 7
Trail surface: Mostly natural, some paved or boardwalk

Features:

Picnic tables
Grills
Playground
Fitness trail

October 30, 2016

Good to combine with:

Whittier Mills Park (post forthcoming)

South Bend Park

September 25, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

The Southtowne PATH trail goes through South Bend Park. Check out its page for more info. When viewed from the PATH trail, it seems like this park is thoroughly overgrown with kudzu, but the park does hold some remnants of old-growth forests.

The main trailhead for unpaved paths is located along Lakewood Avenue between the entrance marked "South Bend Park Swimming Pool" and the entrance marked "South Bend Center for Arts and Culture". The trailhead is on the west side of the creek. As of September 2016, it is marked with a "leave no trace" sign.

Address: 2000 Lakewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Admission: None
Acres: 77
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm

Miles from downtown Atlanta: 4

Features:

Picnic pavilion
Water fountains
Multi-use PATH trail
Playground

Good to combine with:

Featured

Sep 25, 2016

Sycamores and Kudzu at the Atlanta Kudzu Festival, September 24, 2016

Sep 25, 2016

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

August 03, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 2852 Cascade Rd. SW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Admission: None
Acres: 120
Approximate miles of trails: 3
Hours: Summer: Weekdays 7:30am to 3:00pm, weekends 7:30am to 7:30pm; Winter: Weekdays 7:30am to 3:00pm, weekends 7:30am to 6:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6

Links:
Atlas Obscura

June 21, 2014

October 30, 2013

Good to combine with:

Shamrock Forest

shamrock forest

July 31, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address (approximate): 2700 Delcourt Drive, Decatur, GA 30033
Admission: None
Acres: 72
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Probably 7am to dusk like other parks in DeKalb county
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 10
Features:
- Picnic area

There are trails near Druid Hills Middle School and Laurel Ridge Elementary School. These trails are very wide and have a pine straw and dirt surface. The Shamrock Forest trail is more of a traditional nature trail. There are a few steep sections, but the trail is mostly fairly flat. The surfaces are mostly easy to walk on, but there are a few small sections of railroad rock or roots. There are surprisingly many trails for the park's size. Despite the trail density, you usually can't see the nearby trails.

There is a small parking lot at the trailhead. There are additional trailheads at the end of Balsam Dr., the end of Blueberry Trail, and behind University Heights United Methodist Church on Balsam Dr.

Links:
Laurel Ridge Neighborhood
RecPlanet