Intrenchment Creek Park

September 06, 2022 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Intrenchment Creek Park is the western end of the South River PATH trail. It is also home to an RC Airfield.

Address: West Side Pl, Atlanta, GA 30316
Cost of admission: None
Governance: DeKalb County
Acres: 125
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
MARTA directions: From Inman Park-Reynoldstown Station, take the 32 to Bouldercrest Rd SE@Westside Pl. From there, walk northwest along Bouldercrest. Turn left on West Side Place. The entrance to the trail is clearly marked on the right. Walking distance from bus stop to trailhead approximately 0.2 miles.
Parking: Parking is available at the trailhead on West Side Place. Two handicap accessible spaces are available.
Trail surface: Approximately 0.5 miles of PATH trail (continues beyond the park for about 5 miles) and approximately 1.5 miles of unpaved trails
Geocaching: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes

Amenities:

Picnic pavilion

Links:

Note: The area of land highlighted in this blog post is all east of Intrenchment Creek. West of the creek is the land associated with the Old Atlanta Prison Farm. No trespassing is allowed in the prison farm buildings, and the area is frequently patrolled by the police. You may see that OpenStreetMap has marked land west of the creek as “City of Atlanta greenspace – keep out”. I haven’t heard of anyone getting in trouble for being on the trails west of the creek as long as they stay away from the buildings, but it might be best to stay east of the creek. There is no bridge across the creek between the two properties.

November 11, 2018

Cladonia peziziformis, November 11, 2018

November 11, 2018

Green Anole, November 11, 2018

November 11, 2018

Intrenchment Creek, June 7, 2015

Good to combine with

Featured

Southside Park

Constitution Lakes

Brownwood Park

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

Peachtree Creek Greenway

December 12, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

On December 12, 2019, the first mile of the planned 12-mile Peachtree Creek Greenway opened. Currently extending along the North Fork of Peachtree Creek from N Druid Hills Rd to Briarwood Rd, the greenway will one day connect to the Beltline and PATH 400 to the south and extend to Doraville MARTA station to the north.

Address: 2036 N Druid Hills Road
Cost of admission: None
Governance: Current trail is in the City of Brookhaven, future segments will be in other cities
Approximate miles of trails: 1.2
Hours: The trail is lit and is open 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
Transit directions: MARTA busses #8, #39, and #47 all stop near the greenway. Of those, the #39 runs the most frequently. From Doraville or Lindbergh station, take the #39 to Buford Hwy & N Druid Hills. From there, walk southeast on N Druid Hills for about a block. The greenway is clearly marked on the left.
Parking: There are three parking lots for the greenway: One on the north side of N Druid Hills just east of the creek, one on the south side of Corporate Blvd just east of the creek, and one on the south side of Briarwood Rd just west of the creek.
Trailhead(s): As well as the parking lot trailheads mentioned above, there is also a trailhead at Corporate Square (note: this trailhead is not handicap accessible) and a couple private, locked trailheads for nearby residence.
Trail surface: Paved
Blazes/markings: The trail is well marked with mile markers and directions to points of interest
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Bike repair stations
Benches
Trash & recycling cans
Lighting

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

The trail is in a fairly urban area, and there are many gas stations, restaurants, and bus stops nearby

Links:

Peachtree Creek Greenway

Current Trail

Current + Planned Trails

December 7, 2019

North Fork Peachtree Creek, December 7, 2019

Good to combine with

Featured

Kittredge Park

Confluence Trail

Ashford Forest Preserve

October 26, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

This land was formerly a protection area for DeKalb-Peachtree (PDK) airport's east-west runway. The former runway signals can be seen throughout the park. Since the airport stopped using that runway, the land has sat unused. In 2017, the city of Brookhaven purchased the land for preservation.

There are three trailheads: Park Lane, Skyland Drive, and Clairmont Road. Only the Clairmont Road trailhead is clearly marked in a way that is visible from the road.

Park Lane trailhead

Clairmont Road parking lot

Skyland Drive trailhead

Also known as: PDK Greenspace
Address (approximate): 3890 Clairmont Rd, Brookhaven, GA 30319
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Brookhaven
Acres: 33
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 9
MARTA directions: From Chamblee Station, take the #19 to North DeKalb Health Center or the Clairmont Rd@Georgian Dr stop. From there, walk north on Clairmont. An unmarked entrance to the greenspace is on the west side of Clairmont.
Cycling directions: Exit Chamblee Station towards New Peachtree Rd (not to be confused with Peachtree Rd). Make a right on New Peachtree Rd and head southwest. Continue as the road makes a sharp left turn and becomes 8th St. Take 8th St until it ends. There, make a left on Skyland Dr. Take the first right on Park Ln. Continue on Park Ln until it dead ends. One of the trailheads is at the end of Park Ln.
Parking: No dedicated parking lot, just neighborhood street parking
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: The trails are blazed with flagging tape
Dogs allowed: Yes, must be on leash
Geocaching: None yet
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Trash can at Skyland Dr. trailhead

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

Adjacent to PDK airport and:
- The PDK airport playground
- Downwind Restaurant and Lounge
- The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant
Georgian Hills Park
- Three playground areas
- Pavillion
- Basketball goal
- Multi-use field

Links:

May 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

Featured

Mary Scott Nature Park

Murphey Candler Park

Updated May 23, 2018 and October 26, 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

WildWoods & Fernbank Forest

Fernbank Forest

September 16, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Once you've entered the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, walk down the stairs (or take the elevator) and exit through the doors to get to the woods.

Address: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Admission: $20/adult, see site for other prices (includes museum admission)
Acres: 75
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Open 10-5 daily. Fernbank Forest closes at 4:30pm; WildWoods and the museum close at 5.
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 4
MARTA directions: Take the #2 bus from East Lake or North Avenue Station to Ponce De Leon Ave NE @ Clifton Rd. From there, walk north on Clifton Rd. The entrance to Fernbank Museum of Natural History is on the right. The woods are accessed through the museum. The walk from the bus stop is approximately 0.2 miles.
Cycling directions: Follow the Stone Mountain PATH trail to its intersection with S Ponce. Turn right on S Ponce. At the first intersection, turn left onto Clifton Rd. Cross Ponce and continue on Clifton. Turn right into the Museum area. Continue straight to the end where the museum is. Go around the dinosaurs to the right to the bike rack. (The rack is to the right of the main entrance, next to the parking lot.)
Parking: There are two parking lots at the museum.
Trailhead: Once you have paid and entered the museum, go downstairs and out the doors. The trails begin just outside the doors.
Trail surface: Mostly paved, with some natural and boardwalk sections

Amenities:

Playgrounds
Cafe
Museum
Restrooms and water fountains in the museum and at the Kendeda Pavilion in WildWoods
Vending machines in the museum
Movie theater

Links:
Wildwoods
Fernbank Forest

WildWoods

WildWoods is a new, outdoor exhibit of Fernbank Museum of Natural History. It features several hands-on elements, an elevated boardwalk, interpretive signage, and a couple of playground areas. In the 1930s, there was a landscaped garden here. A stone wall remains from those days.

October 20, 2016

March 17, 2018

Features:

Two playgrounds
Restroom
Seasonal exhibit
ADA accessible

Just past the WildWoods area lies Fernbank Forest.

Fernbank Forest

Until July 2012, Fernbank Forest was publicly-accessible. At that time, a lease ended, and the property was transferred from the Fernbank Science Center and the DeKalb County School District to Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

In September 2016, it reopened for self-guided tours as part of Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Museum admission or membership is required for forest access.

Fernbank Forest is an old-growth Piedmont forest, with large beech trees, tulip poplars, and 7 trees on Trees Atlanta's champion trees map. Some segments of the forest are very similar to Deepdene Park in Olmsted Linear Park, which is located nearby. In the years while the forest was closed to the public, the museum restored the forest, removing invasive species. Restoration work continues.

Links:
http://www.fernbank.edu/forest.htm
http://www.clatl.com/news/article/13081005/fernbank-forest-reopening-in-2016

Atlanta's champion Eastern Hemlock, October 20, 2016

October 20, 2016

Cooper's Hawk, December 30, 2017

Barred Owl, March 17, 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:

Featured

Lullwater Preserve and Hahn Woods

Olmsted Linear Park

Lullwater Conservation Garden

Frazer Forest

Woodlands Garden

Updated October 24, 2016, December 30, 2017, March 17, 2018, & September 16, 2018

Sykes Park

July 04, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

In June 2018, two mountain bike trails opened at Sykes Park. The beginner trail was formerly a nature trail, and the intermediate trail is brand new. Hiking is allowed on both trails, but remember to hike in the opposite direction of the posted signs, since the signs are intended for bikers. The trails at Sykes Park are part of a planned network of more trails (including Southside Park) called "Ride & Fly" due to the trails' proximity to the Atlanta Airport.

Address: Earl Godfrey Cir, East Point, GA 30344
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of East Point
Acres: 44
Approximate miles of trails: 1 now, 4 total planned
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 8
Parking: The park has dedicated, free parking
Trailhead(s): The trail is accessible from a few points along Earl Godfrey Cir. Trailheads are marked with signs that say which direction to bike on which day (hikers should head the opposite direction)
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: Each trail intersection is marked. Easy mountain biking trails are marked with a green circle, more difficult trails are marked with a blue square.
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Picnic pavilion
Exercise equipment
Restrooms
Basketball and tennis courts
Mountain biking

Links:

July 4, 2018

Photo by Marc Turnley, July 4, 2018

Good to combine with:

Atlanta Memorial Park

June 28, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 384 Woodward Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Atlanta
Acres: Approximately 200
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5
MARTA directions: From Midtown Station, take the #12 bus to Howell Mill Rd@Peachtree Battle. Walk South on Howell Mill across the creek. The trailhead will be on your left, before any intersection.
Cycling directions: From the Northside Beltline Trail at Tanyard Creek Park, follow the trail north. Follow a sign to turn left towards the tennis center. From the tennis center, take the connector trail north along Northside Drive. As of June 2018, the trail ends right at Atlanta Memorial Park. Note: as of June 2018, the trail is not quite complete. There are a couple sections where you need to go through some gravel and rocks and might need to walk your bike.
Parking: Free street parking is available adjacent to the park
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: None
Dogs allowed: Yes
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 19 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Amenities:

Playground
Water fountain

Links:

Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

Proctor Creek Greenway

May 07, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address (approximate): 1259 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Atlanta
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 3
MARTA directions: Take the train to Bankhead station. The trail begins immediately west of the station.
Trailhead(s): There are trailheads at Hollowell, Johnson, and Kerry Circle. The trail is paved, so the trailheads are easy to find.
Trail surface: Paved

The segment from Hollowell to Johnson was built as part of the Renew Atlanta bond of 2015. The trail segment was opened on May 7, 2018. The segment from Johnson to Kerry Cir (the "River Park Trail") is a PATH trail that was built many years earlier. The new segment makes the trail easily accessible by MARTA. The trail begins immediately west of the Bankhead MARTA station (east of the creek).

The greenway will eventually extend all the way to the Chattahoochee River, for seven miles total.

Links:

April 1, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

Good to combine with:

W.D. Thomson Park

April 22, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address (approximate): 1029 Mason Woods Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
Cost of admission: None
Governance: DeKalb County
Acres: 29
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
MARTA directions: From Decatur MARTA station, take the 19 bus to Clairmont Rd@Mason Mill Rd. Walk west on Mason Mill Rd. Turn right on Mason Woods Dr. The park entrance is on the right.
Parking: There is parking available in the park
Trailhead(s): There are two trailheads in the parking lot, clearly marked by blazed posts
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: Multiple colored blazed posts for the various trail segments
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 18 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Amenities:

Tennis courts
Single basketball goal
Mutli-use field
Playground
Pavillion
Water fountain
Bike rack

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

There is a gas station and a cafe at the corner of Mason Mill & Clairmont, about a 15 minute walk east of the park, and near the #19 bus stop.

Links:

DeKalb County Parks

April 4, 2018

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

Southside Park

Southside Sports Complex

April 16, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Thanks to a partnership of IMBA, REI, and the City of Atlanta, mountain bike trails are being built in this under-utilized park. Southside Park is currently Atlanta's largest park (until the westside reservoir park opens) at 211 acres. There will eventually be three trail loops: beginner, intermediate, and expert, but currently only the beginner trail is open (as of April 2018). It is known as the Evergreen Trail. It is about 1.25 miles long. All the trails combined will be about 7 miles long.

The trails are all open to hikers and runners. The trailhead signage shows which direction mountain bikers should travel based on the day of the week, and all other trail users should proceed in the opposite direction.

Check out MTB Atlanta's website for more info and a map of the planned trails.

Address: 3460 Jonesboro Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30354
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Atlanta
Acres: 211
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 7
Parking: Parking is available at the trailhead
Trailhead(s): The trailhead is clearly marked at the north end of the parking lot
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: None
Geocaching: None

Amenities:

Bike racks at trailhead
Ball fields
Mountain bike trail

Links:

MTB Atlanta

April 14, 2018

Summer Tanager, April 14, 2018

April 14, 2018

White-Breasted Nuthatch, April 14, 2018

April 14, 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

REI Hiking Project

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

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

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

Confluence Trail

June 28, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: End of Armand Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30324
Cost of admission: None
Governance: South Fork Conservancy
Acres: Unknown
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: Unknown
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
MARTA directions: Take the 6, 27, 30, or 33 east from Lindbergh Station to the Lindridge Dr NE stop. From there, walk south on Armand Rd to the end of the road.
Parking: There's neighborhood street parking available along Armand Rd.
Trailhead(s): Note: the trailhead is near a private property sign. You're allowed to hike on the trail, but please park in the cul-de-sac or elsewhere outside the Cedar Chase community.
Trail surface: Natural

July 24, 2014

June 10, 2017

June 10, 2017

Links:
South Fork Conservancy

Good to combine with:

Atlanta History Center

May 21, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

As well as the indoor exhibits and research center, Atlanta History Center also features nature trails, gardens, and a demonstration farm.

The trails are scattered throughout the property. Here's a map to guide you to find them.

Address: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Cost of admission: $16.50 per adult (at time of writing)
Governance: Atlanta History Center
Acres: 33
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 10:00am-5:30pm Monday-Saturday; noon-5:30pm Sunday
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 6
MARTA directions: Take the 110 bus North from Arts Center station or south from Buckhead or Lenox station to the Peachtree Rd @ E Paces Ferry Rd NE stop. From there, walk west on West Paces Ferry. The history center will be on your left after 0.4 miles.
Parking: The history center has a parking deck
Trail surface: Mostly dirt

Links:
Atlanta History Center [Web] [Facebook]

May 20, 2017

Good to combine with:

Featured

May 21, 2017

Park Pride Community Garden Tour, May 20, 2017

May 21, 2017

Glenn Creek Nature Preserve

April 29, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

In 2004, the Glenn Creek Nature Preserve Alliance raised over $65,000 to facilitate the purchase of this property from the owner, who wanted it to become a nature preserve. $90,000 was added from the Georgia Community Greenspace Funds, and the property was purchased by the City of Decatur in December 2004. The Georgia Land Trust assisted. According to the deed, the land is to be used as a nature preserve in perpetuity.

Address: Fairview St, Decatur, GA 30030
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Decatur
Acres: 2
Approximate miles of trails: Less than 1
Hours: The park is open dawn to dusk, but the parking lots have more specific hours
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 8
MARTA directions: Walk from Avondale Station (total distance: 0.6 miles), following the below cycling directions.
Bike directions: From Avondale station/PATH trail, go north on Sycamore. Make a slight left on Ridgeland and then a left on Fairview. The park is at the end of Fairview. From downtown Decatur, go east on Sycamore and then continue north on Sycamore. Then follow the directions above.
Parking: On-street parking should be available
Trailhead(s): There is a single public trailhead at the west end of Fairview St.
Trail surface: Natural

Amenities:

Bike rack
Trash can
Interpretive signage
Viewing platform
Benches

Links:
Glenn Creek Nature Preserve [Web] [Facebook]
Map

April 29, 2017

Wood Thrush, April 29, 2017

March 8, 2013

Good to combine with:

Decatur Cemetery
Glenlake Park (post forthcoming)

Briarlake Forest Park

March 05, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

This old-growth forest was preserved by a grassroots neighborhood alliance that protested the development of the acreage.

Address: 3330 Briarlake Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: DeKalb County
Acres: 21
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 11
MARTA directions: Take the 30 from Lindbergh Station to the Briarlake Rd stop. From there, walk 0.4 miles north on Briarlake Rd to the house at 3330 Briarlake Rd. The house is part of the park.
Trail surface: Natural

Links:
Briarlake Forest Park
Park map

February 11, 2017

Good to combine with:

Frazer Forest

Frazer Center

February 05, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 1815 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: Frazer Center
Acres: 39
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5
MARTA directions: Take the #2 bus from Five Points station past Clifton Rd to the S Ponce De Leon Ave stop. From there, go southwest on S Ponce less than a block to the center.
Trail surface: Natural, paved, mulched

Amenities:

Gardens
Bike rack

Links:
Frazer Center
Friends of the Frazer Forest

February 5, 2017

Good to combine with:

Frazier-Rowe Park

December 20, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 2886 Lavista Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
Admission: None
Acres: 6
Approximate miles of trails: <1
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 9
Trail surface: Some paved, mostly natural

Features:

Playground
Water fountain
Picnic tables
Native plant nursery
Interpretive signage
Paved exercise loop trail
Exercise equipment
Bike rack
Outdoor classroom

Links:
Frazier-Rowe Park
Friends of Frazier-Rowe Park

December 19, 2016

Good to combine with:

Mason Mill
Briarlake Forest Park

Brownwood Park

November 07, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 607 Brownwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Admission: None
Acres: 12
Approximate miles of trails: <1
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 3
Trail surface: Some natural, some paved

Features: