Lullwater Preserve and Hahn Woods

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

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:

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve

March 25, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve (formerly South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserve) opened in 1995. All of the trails are clearly blazed with plastic diamonds in colors corresponding to the maps shown at the trailhead. (Although the brown and orange blazes are the same color or very close.)
Right at the trailhead, there is a short (∼0.1 mile) interpretive trail with an outdoor classroom. The interpretive trail is mulched.

The other trails are a combination of dirt and boardwalk. The dirt sections can be very boggy if it has rained recently.

The Beaver Pond Trail and Outer Loop Trail have clear views of the central wetland meadow and beaver pond. There is a thick bamboo grove along the Outer Loop Trail. There are various points of access to South Fork Peachtree Creek along the Outer Loop Trail.

There is a second classroom area along the Pine Forest Trail.

The Beaver Pond Trail features a photo blind and an observation deck. The observation deck has a high chair that allows a clear view of the beaver pond and wetland meadow.
All of the trails have signage explaining various ecological features of the area.

Finding the primary trailhead: From I-285: take exit 39A onto US-78 W. After 2.2 miles, turn right on Harrington Dr. Take the 1st right onto Wood Trail Ln. The trailhead is at the intersection with Pine Bluff Dr and is clearly marked.

From downtown: Take Scott Blvd to its intersection with Medlock Rd and N Decatur Rd. Turn left on Medlock Rd. When the road ends, turn right on Wood Trail Ln. The trailhead is at the intersection with Pine Bluff Dr and is clearly marked.

Parking: Free on-street parking is available at the trailhead.

Address: Intersection of Wood Trail Ln & Pine Bluff Dr, Decatur GA 30033
Cost of admission: None
Acres: 28
Approximate miles of trails: 1.5
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 8
MARTA directions: From Midtown or Decatur station, take the 36 to N Decatur Rd @ Sunstede Dr. Walk north on Medlock Rd. until it ends at the International Community School. Turn right on Wood Trail Ln and walk to the end of the street. (About a 20 minute walk total, from the bus stop.)
Cycling directions: From Decatur MARTA station, head east on Ponce. Take a left on Glendale Ave and continue to the end of the road. Take a left on Forkner Dr. Cross Church St. and continue straight-ish on Medlock Rd. Continue until Medlock ends at the International Community School. Turn right on Wood Trail Ln and continue to the end of the street. A bike rack is available at the trailhead. [Directions]
Trail surface: Natural and boardwalk
Geocaching: There are caches in the preserve
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 3 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)