ATLnature

ATLnature is your guide to Atlanta's trails and other rad nature stuff in the city. Live in the city but miss hiking on the weekends? Don’t have time (or a car!) for a trip to north Georgia? Did you know there are over 30 nature trails inside the perimeter of 285 alone?

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Ashford Forest Preserve

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
Park Lane trailhead
Clairmont Road parking lot
Clairmont Road parking lot
Skyland Drive trailhead
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:

  • North DeKalb Greenspace Alliance

  • City of Brookhaven

May 2018

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May 2018

For more photos, see my flickr album.


From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist.org
View more observations near Ashford Forest Preserve on iNaturalist.org »

Good to combine with:

Featured
Mary Scott Nature Park
Mary Scott Nature Park
Murphey Candler Park
Murphey Candler Park

Updated May 23, 2018 and October 26, 2019

October 26, 2019 /Shawn Taylor
atlanta page 4, near bus-5 min, free admission, near downtown-10 miles, itp page 2, near: murphey candler
parks
1 Comment
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Brook Run

Brook Run Park
January 07, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: Dunwoody
Acres: 102
Approximate miles of trails: 2 miles multi-use path, 2 miles nature trails
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 15
MARTA directions: Take a gold line train to Chamblee. From there, take the 103 bus to Peeler Rd@Cherring Ln or take the 132 bus to N Peachtree Rd @ Barclay Dr
Parking: Plenty of parking is available at the park
Trail surface: Some concrete multi-use path, some paved nature trail, some natural surface

Amenities:

  • Dog park

  • Community garden

  • Skate park

  • Zip line "Treetop Quest"

  • Playground

  • Veterans Memorial

  • Bike rack & fix-it station

  • Restrooms & water fountains

Links:
Brook Run Park
Brook Run Dog Park


History

Before Brook Run became a park, this land was home to the Georgia Retardation Center for 30 years. A description of the facility's history can be found on Burnaway. The main buildings have been torn down.

Here are some photos I took in 2007 when the site was vacant, but before the buildings were torn down.

June 10, 2007
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June 10, 2007
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Today

April 2, 2017
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Eastern Phoebe, January 7, 2018
Eastern Phoebe, January 7, 2018
January 7, 2018
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Frozen creek, January 7, 2018
Frozen creek, January 7, 2018
January 7, 2018
January 7, 2018
April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017 April 2, 2017 Eastern Phoebe, January 7, 2018 January 7, 2018 Frozen creek, January 7, 2018 January 7, 2018

Good to combine with:

  • Murphey-Candler Park

  • Dunwoody Nature Center


Updated April 9, 2017 & January 7, 2018

January 07, 2018 /Shawn Taylor
atlanta page 3, near bus-5 min, multi-use path, free admission, north metro, dog park, near: murphey candler
parks
1 Comment

Dunwoody Nature Center

Dunwoody Nature Center
November 11, 2016 by Shawn Taylor in parks

The nature center parking lot is small, but more parking is available at Dunwoody Park, and there is a trailhead there as well.

Address: 5343 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Admission: Free
Acres: 22
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: The trails are open 7am to sundown, 7 days a week; the office is open 9am to 5pm M-F
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 16
Trail surface: Natural

Features:

  • Picnic area

  • Playground

  • Interpretive signage

  • Events

  • Hammocks

Links:
Dunwoody Nature Center
Park map

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Good to combine with:

  • Big Trees Forest Preserve

November 11, 2016 /Shawn Taylor
atlanta page 3, free admission, north metro, nature center, near: big trees, near: murphey candler
parks
Comment