Friendship Forest Wildlife Sanctuary

September 26, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 4380 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Clarkston, GA 30021
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: City of Clarkston
Friends of the Park Group: Friends of Friendship Forest
Acres: 18.5
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 10
Transit directions: The MARTA #120 from Avondale Station stops right in front of the wildlife sanctuary
Cycling directions: The Stone Mountain PATH runs directly across the street from the wildlife sanctuary. The PATH goes through downtown Decatur and downtown Atlanta, and connects to the BeltLine.
Parking: There is a parking lot at the Ponce trailhead. There are a couple accessible parking spaces available.
Trailhead(s): The main trailhead is at the parking lot on Ponce. There is also a trailhead at the end of Clark St.
Trail surface: Some paved & boardwalk; some natural
Blazes/markings: Unpaved trails are unmarked
Restrooms: There are restrooms next to the parking lot and also some next to the amphitheater
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Restrooms
Picnic tables
Covered amphitheater/outdoor classroom
Bottle fill stations & water fountains by restrooms

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

Refuge Coffee Co. is 0.5 miles southwest of the wildlife sanctuary

Links:

December 21, 2016

September 26, 2021

Little Blue Dragonlet, September 26, 2021

September 26, 2021

More photos on Flickr:

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Featured

Johns Homestead

Pine Lake

Updated December 21, 2016 and September 26, 2021

John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve

Big Trees Forest Preserve

August 14, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

In 1989, there were plans for this land to become a car dealership, but it was saved by John Ripley Forbes and the Southeast Land Preservation Trust. Powers Branch creek runs through the preserve.

Also known as: Big Trees Nature Preserve
Address: 7645 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Sandy Springs
Acres: 30
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 15
MARTA directions: Take the #87 bus from Dunwoody Station to the stop at 7741 Roswell Rd. (North Fulton County Government Center). There is no crosswalk near this stop, so it might be best to return by using the same bus stop (instead of crossing the street) and taking the #87 north to North Springs Station.
Trailheads: The trailhead is clearly marked in the parking lot just south of the government center. There are restrooms at the trailhead that are also visible.
Parking: There is free parking available at the main trailhead
Trail surface: About the first 100 yards of the Big Trees Loop trail (starting at the main trailhead) is paved; the rest of the trails are natural surface
Blazes/markings: Most of the intersections are marked with trail names
Geocaching: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 51 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Amenities:

Dog poop station
Restrooms
Water fountains
Numerous benches
Interpretive trail numbers (info here)

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

There is a grocery store, drug store, and a couple restaurants half a mile south of the park, at Roswell Rd & Trowbridge Rd.

Links:

October 22, 2016

Jelly fungus, October 28, 2018

October 22, 2016

Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar, October 28, 2018

October 22, 2016

October 28, 2018

Coprinellus mushrooms, October 28, 2018

Red-footed Cannibal Fly, August 14, 2021

Ebony Jewelwing, August 14, 2021

More photos on Flickr:

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Featured

Morgan Falls Overlook Park & Morgan Falls River Park

Dunwoody Nature Center

Lost Corner Preserve

Updated October 25, 2016, October 28, 2018, & August 14, 2021

Big Creek Greenway

July 24, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: There are many access points for the trail. The southernmost one is at Big Creek Park, at the intersection of Old Alabama and Belcourt Pkwy
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: City of Roswell, City of Alpharetta, and Forsyth County
Acres: N/A
Approximate miles of trails: About 24 miles of greenway, plus several adjacent hiking and mountain biking trails. The Alpharetta/Roswell section has 8 miles and the Forsyth County section has 16 miles
Hours: March thru October – 6:00 am to 9:30 pm, November thru February – 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 21 (southern end), 38 (northern end)
Transit directions: There are a few convenient access points. All buses depart from North Springs Station.

You can take the 140 or 141 to North Point Pkwy @Mansell Rd and walk east until you reach the greenway.
You can take the 140 or 141 to North Point Pkwy @ North Point Ct and walk south on Haynes Bridge Road to the Haynes Bridge trail spur.
You can take the 140 to North Point Pkwy @ Old Milton Pkwy or take the 185 to Old Milton Pkwy @ North Point pkwy (same intersection) and go southeast on Old Milton Pkwy. On the north side of the road, you'll see stairs leading down to the trail.

Trail surface: Mostly paved with some boardwalk, also with some natural-surface alternate routes or spurs

Amenities:

Restrooms
Water fountains
Bike rentals

Links:
Big Creek Greenway
Maps
Forsyth County map

March 19, 2017

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, April 8, 2017

March 19, 2017

Common Whitetail, July 24, 2021

Sweetheart moth, July 24, 2021

Good to combine with:

Featured

Roswell Riverwalk

Big Creek Park

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Vickery Creek

Updated April 30, 2017 and July 24, 2021

Johns Homestead

June 18, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

The house at Johns Homestead was built in approximately 1832, and is one of the oldest remaining houses in DeKalb County. More information about the buildinds and land are available from Friends of Johns Homestead Park and The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The park was created in 2004 when DeKalb County purchased the homestead land. The lake section was added via a separate purchase in 2006. The City of Tucker was incorporated in 2015, and the park now belongs to the city.

Address: 3071 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Tucker
Friends of the Park Group: Friends of Johns Homestead
Acres: 50
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 11
MARTA directions: Take the 75 bus from Avondale Station to the Lawrenceville Hwy @ Lovely Ln stop. This stop is right in front of the homestead.
Parking: There is a parking lot for the park on Lawrenceville Highway, just NE of the homestead buildings.
Trailhead(s): There are two trailheads along Lawrenceville Highway, one at the parking lot and one at the homestead buildings. The trails are also accessible from Edinburgh Drive and Stapp Drive.
Trail surface: Mostly natural, some gravel
Blazes/markings: None
Restrooms: None
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Fishing allowed: Yes
Accessibility notes: As of June 2021, on the trail connecting the homestead to the lakes, there are two footbridges across small streams that are narrow (~12” wide) and bouncy. There are plans to replace these with full pedestrian bridges.
Links:

Friends of Tucker Parks
Concept Plan (note, this includes several trails and other amenities that are not yet build)
Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation

July 4, 2017

Pileated Woodpecker, January 6, 2018

January 6, 2018

Frozen Twin Brothers Lake, January 6, 2018

Slaty Skimmer, June 18, 2021

More photos on Flickr

From around the web

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

Featured

Friendship Forest Wildlife Sanctuary

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve

Shamrock Forest

Updated July 15, 2017, January 6, 2018, and June 18, 2021

Decatur Legacy Park (Former United Methodist Children's Home)

E Decatur Greenway

May 15, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

This land was purchased by the City of Decatur from the United Methodist Children's Home in 2017 when they moved to Tucker. The park is partly developed with buildings, a playground, and playing fields, and also has nature trails around the lake and a community garden. The East Decatur Greenway is adjacent to the park.

Address: 500 S Columbia Drive, Decatur GA 30030
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Decatur
Acres: 77
Approximate miles of trails: 3
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 7
MARTA directions: Leave Avondale Station via the pedestrian bridge to E College Ave. Once the bridge ends, turn left. Walk through the parking lot to the trailhead for the PATH.
Cycling directions: Coming from Avondale Station, follow the same directions as above. Alternatively, bike the Stone Mountain PATH to Avondale Station and then use the MARTA pedestrian bridge or Sams Crossing road to connect to E College Ave.
Parking: Parking is available along the dirt road on the southeast side of the ball fields.
Trailheads: The unpaved trails begin at the parking area and also at two spots along the PATH
Trail surface: PATH is paved, other trails are natural surface
Guidebook mentions: None

Amenities:

Global Growers' Decatur's Kitchen Garden

Links:

“Decatur completes purchase of United Methodist Children's Home," Decaturish, August 16, 2017
“Sale of United Methodist Children's Home Complete," Decatur Metro, August 17, 2017
East Decatur Greenway
Master Plan

Eastern Pondhawk, May 9, 2021

April 8, 2018

May 9, 2021

April 8, 2018

Canvasback, February 13, 2019

October 26, 2019

More photos on Flickr

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with:

Featured

Glenn Creek Nature Preserve

Decatur Cemetery

Updated February 26, 2019, October 26, 2019 and May 15, 2021

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

Roswell Riverwalk

Roswell Riverwalk Trail

December 17, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Unlike most of the posts on this blog, this one features a multi-use path instead of a nature trail. Most of the trails here are paved or boardwalk, and bicycles are welcome.

The Roswell Riverwalk provides connections to several trails: the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Vickery Creek (which in turn connects to Old Mill Park), and Allenbrook.

In November 2018, the fifth and final phase opened, running along Willeo Road from the Chattahoochee Nature Center to Willeo Park.

Location: Along Riverside Rd, Azalea Dr, and Willeo Rd
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: City of Roswell
Acres: Linear
Approximate miles of trails: 3.5 miles one way
Hours: Unknown
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 17
MARTA directions: Take the 85 bus from North Springs Station to the Riverside Rd stop. Walk west on Azalea Dr. On the south side of Azalea Dr, you can access the Riverwalk.
Parking: Parking is available at several parks along Azalea Dr and Riverside Rd.
Trail surface: Mostly paved and boardwalk, with one gravel section and some dirt side-trails
Geocaching: Yes

Amenities:

Parks along the riverwalk have restrooms, water fountains, pavilions, and playgrounds

January 26, 2017

Wilson's Snipe, March 4, 2017

October 22, 2017

January 21, 2018

January 26, 2017

Riverwalk bridge over Big Creek, January 26, 2017

Confluence of Big Creek and the Chattahoochee River, January 26, 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

Big Creek Greenway

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Gold Branch

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Vickery Creek

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Allenbrook

Old Mill Park

Updated January 27, 2017, October 23, 2017, January 26, 2018, & December 17, 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

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

Big Creek Park

August 11, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 1600 Old Alabama Rd, Roswell, GA 30076
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Roswell
Acres: 160
Approximate miles of trails: 1.4 miles of unpaved hiking trails + 7 miles of mountain bike trails; connects to 7 miles of Big Creek Greenway
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 22
MARTA directions: From North Springs Station, take the 140 or 141 to North Point Pkwy @ Mansell Rd (the first stop after the Mansell Rd Park & Ride). From there, walk East on Mansell Rd. The path will be on the right. Once on the path, take the first left. Take the first right to walk over the creek and then take another right. Continue straight to enter the park. The walking distance from the bus stop to the Big Creek Greenway paved path is about a block, but the walking distance from the bus stop to the unpaved portion is about 1.5 miles.
Parking: From the Old Alabama Road entrance, there are two parking lots
Trailhead(s): This map shows the trailheads from the greenway and parking lots
Trail surface: Park trails are natural surface; greenway trails are paved and boardwalk

Amenities:

Bike rentals (at North parking lot)
Trash cans
Restroom
Mountain bike trails
Pump tracks

Links:
City of Roswell
RAMBO

March 19, 2017

August 11, 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

Jul 24, 2021

Big Creek Greenway

Jul 24, 2021

Dec 17, 2018

Roswell Riverwalk

Dec 17, 2018

Jul 19, 2017

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Island Ford

Jul 19, 2017

Jan 27, 2017

Old Mill Park

Jan 27, 2017

Updated May 21, 2017 & August 11, 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:

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Vickery Creek

Vickery Creek Trailhead

January 26, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

If you'd like to check out some scenic views, you can combine this walk with Old Mill Park by walking through the covered bridge located at VC 15 on the map.

Address: 259 Riverside Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
Cost of admission: Free + $5/vehicle for parking
Governance: National Park Service
Acres: 2,888
Approximate miles of trails: 5
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 19
MARTA directions: Take the 85 bus from North Springs Station to the Riverside Rd stop. Walk 0.1 miles east on Riverside Rd. The entrance to the Vickery Creek parking lot is on the left.
Trail surface: Natural

Links:
NPS
Park map

January 26, 2017

January 21, 2018

Eastern Phoebe, January 21, 2018

Golden-crowned Kinglet, January 21, 2018

January 21, 2018

Good to combine with:

Edited January 27, 2017 & January 26, 2018

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

Today

April 2, 2017

Eastern Phoebe, January 7, 2018

January 7, 2018

Frozen creek, January 7, 2018

January 7, 2018

Good to combine with:

Updated April 9, 2017 & January 7, 2018

Herbert Greene Park

Herbert Greene

November 11, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 4300 Dollar Mill Way SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: City of Atlanta
Acres: 56
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 9
MARTA directions: Take the train to H.E. Holmes station, then take the 865 bus to Utoy Cir SW@Dollar Mill Way SW. Walk west on Dollar Mill Way SW to the end of the street. Continue straight ahead into the woods (the trailhead is not clearly marked).
Parking: On-street parking is available
Trail surface: Natural

Utoy Creek, November 11, 2017

November 11, 2017

Utoy Creek, November 11, 2017

November 11, 2017

Beech tree, November 11, 2017

November 11, 2017

Beech tree, November 11, 2017

Utoy Creek, November 11, 2017

November 11, 2017

Utoy Creek, November 11, 2017

Good to Combine with:

Boat Rock Preserve

Piedmont Park

October 21, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Piedmont Park is a large, heavily-used neighborhood park in Midtown Atlanta. Piedmont Park was home to the Piedmont Exposition in 1887 and the Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895. In the early 20th century, the park was redesigned by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted.

As well as the many paved trails and greenspace areas, there are also some wooded, natural (or boardwalk)-surface trails in the park. Those trails can be found in the areas of this map marked "The Northwoods" and "Six Springs Wetlands". Also, part of the path around Lake Clara Meer is not paved.

Another place to check out is the demonstration orchard and apiary. Those can be found just south of the dog parks.

Address (approximate): 1084 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Admission: Free. Paid parking is available at the Botanical Garden located within the park.
Acres: 185
Approximate miles of trails: 1 mile of natural-surface or boardwalk trails + 3 miles of paved trails
Hours: Park hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm // Northwoods and Six Springs Wetlands hours: 6:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 2

Features:

Restrooms
Water fountains
Apiary
Demonstration orchard

Links:
Piedmont Park Conservancy
Park map

October 1, 2016

December 1, 2016

Eastern Screech-Owl, January 14, 2017

October 1, 2016

January 7, 2017

Orchard Oriole, April 22, 2017

October 19, 2017

For more photos, see my flickr album.

Good to combine with:

Featured

Oct 3, 2016

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

Oct 3, 2016

Updated August 4, October 3, December 1, and December 30, 2016; January 7, January 28, April 22, May 1, October 19, & October 21, 2017

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Allenbrook

Allenbrook House

February 19, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 227 S Atlanta St, Roswell, GA 30075
Cost of admission: Free + $5/vehicle for parking
Governance: NPS
Acres: Unknown
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 19
MARTA directions: Take the 85 bus from North Springs Station to the Chattahoochee Circle stop. There's an unofficial trailhead right at the bus stop, or you can walk 0.1 miles Northwest to the parking lot.
Trail surface: Natural

Links:
NPS
Park map

February 12, 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:

Kelley Cofer Park

February 04, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 4259 N Park Dr, Tucker, GA 30084
Cost of admission: None
Governance: Presumably Tucker, GA
Acres: 17
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: Unknown
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 15
MARTA directions: From Doraville station, take the 124 bus to Britts Gate Lane. From there, walk 1/4 mile east along N Park Dr to the park. (The 75 from Avondale is another option, with a bit longer walk.)
Trail surface: Natural