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

Westside Park

westside reservoir park

August 22, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

The Westside Park grand opening was held in August 2021. The former Bellwood Quarry has been converted into a reservoir for City of Atlanta water.

Bellwood Quarry was established in the 1890s to provide granite to the city and surrounding areas. The site was originally a Fulton County convict labor camp. More recently, the quarry was run by corporations. The city purchased the land from the quarry operator, Vulcan Materials, in 2006. This column by Sundiata Rush for the Saporta Report includes some more information about the history of the site.

A number of movies & TV shows have been filmed at the quarry, including The Hunger Games and Stranger Things.

As of August 2021, with only Phase 1 complete, almost all of the trails are paved and wide. The master plan calls for 4.1 miles of natural-surface walking trails and 3.2 miles of natural-surface mountain biking trails in a future phase.

Also known as: Bellwood Quarry Park
Address: 1660 Johnson Road Northwest, Atlanta, GA
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: City of Atlanta
Acres: 280
Approximate miles of trails: 2.5
Hours: 6am to 11pm
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 3.4
Transit directions: Take MARTA to Bankhead Station and use the Proctor Creek Greenway to connect to the park. Or take MARTA bus #26 from Bankhead Station to Perry Blvd NW & Johnson Rd NW. Walk about 0.2 miles southwest on Johnson Road to the park entrance.
Cycling directions: The park trails connect to the Proctor Creek Greenway
Parking: There are two large parking lots available, off of Johnson Road
Trailhead(s): The two main entrances on Johnson Road are clearly marked and visible from the road. Trailheads are clearly marked from these parking lots. There’s also neighborhood connectivity via Grove Park Place.
Trail surface: Many of the trails are paved and ADA accessible
Blazes/markings: Trails are paved and most intersections have maps
Restrooms: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash

Amenities:

Restrooms
Pavilions
Water fountains
Playground
Scenic overlooks

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

MARTA rail station

Links:

Westside Park

August 22, 2021

More photos on Flickr:

From around the web:

Recent iNaturalist observations

Good to combine with:

Featured

Proctor Creek Greenway

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

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

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

KSU Sports & Recreation Park Lakeside Trail

November 11, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Also known as: Kennesaw State University--Sports and Recreation Park; The Walking Trail
Address: 393 Big Shanty Rd NW, Marietta, GA 30066
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: Kennesaw State University
Acres: 88
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: Daylight hours
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 22
Transit directions: Take the CobbLinc Rapid 10 from Arts Center Station to Busbee Park & Ride. Cross George Busbee Pkwy NW at Big Shanty Rd NW to access the trail
Parking: Parking is available at several areas around the park, although it might vary depending on what sporting events are happening
Trail surface: Paved
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Fishing allowed: No

Amenities:

Picnic tables
Ball fields & volleyball pits available for those with a KSU ID

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

A couple restaurants across Big Shanty Rd

Song Sparrow, November 11, 2019

Blue Jay, November 11, 2019

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, November 11, 2019

Nelson Lake, November 11, 2019

November 11, 2019

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with

Featured

Noonday Creek Trail

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Noonday Creek Trail

November 11, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address: 3015 Bells Ferry Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30066
Cost of admission: Free
Approximate miles of trails: This post covers 2 miles each direction, but the trail extends on beyond that, mostly adjacent to roads
Hours: Unknown
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 21
Transit directions: The CobbLinc #40 and #45 stop at several places in the area. The CobbLinc Rapid #10 stops at Busbee Park & Ride, which is fairly accessible via multi-use paths and adjacent to KSU Recreation Park
Parking: Parking is available at the east end of the trail, at the Bells Ferry trailhead
Trail surface: Paved

Amenities:

Restrooms & water fountains at eastern trailhead

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

Town Center Mall

Noonday Creek, November 11, 2019

November 11, 2019

Red-shouldered Hawk, November 11, 2019

November 11, 2019

Zagster Bike Share, November 11, 2019

November 11, 2019

For more photos, see my flickr album.

From around the web

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days

Good to combine with

Featured

KSU Sports & Recreation Park Lakeside Trail

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Mason Mill/Melton/Medlock Parks

Mason Mill Park

November 02, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

These parks are all linked together by both a paved multi-use trail and by unpaved hiking trails. This is a very popular park, especially on weekends.

The PATH trail connects Mason Mill Park to Medlock Park. The PATH trail is partly paved and partly boardwalk. It is intended for high volumes of pedestrians and cyclists. A map is available online.
The hills along the PATH route are minimal. The PATH trail has several nice views of South Fork Peachtree Creek from an elevated boardwalk.

On the other hand, the off-road trails have many very steep hills with some tricky footing, often with exposed roots. There are some blazes on the off-road trails: red, blue, and white rectangles painted on trees.

[Edit, November 2019:] The PATH has recently been extended from Mason Mill Park north all the way to N Druid Hills Rd and also west from Melton Park all the way to Emory University. It’s now quite convenient to combine a trip to these parks with Lullwater Preserve.

Finding the primary trailhead: Make a right from N Druid Hills Rd onto Clairmont Rd. Take the second left onto McConnell Dr. A large, free parking lot is available at Mason Mill Park.

Address (approximate): 1340 McConnell Dr., Decatur, GA 30033
Cost of admission: None
Governance: DeKalb County
Acres: 140+
Approximate miles of trails: 4
Hours: PATH: dawn to dusk; parks: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 5
MARTA directions: Take the 19 bus from Chamblee or Decatur station to Clairmont Rd@McConnell Dr. From there, walk East on McConnell Dr. The PATH trails begin at the end of McConnell Dr., heading north and east.
Cycling directions: My preferred route is to take MARTA or the PATH to Decatur Station. From there, go east on Sycamore St. then left on Sycamore Pl. Take the first right on E Ponce and then the first left on Glendale. Take a slight left to stay on Glendale. At the end of Glendale, take a left on Forkner. Cross Church St. and continue straight(ish) on Medlock. Take Medlock all the way to the end, then turn left on Gaylemont Cir. Once you see Medlock Park, turn left into it.
Parking: Parking is available at Medlock and Mason Mill Parks.
Trail surface: The PATH trail is paved and boardwalk. Other trails are natural surface.
Geocaching: Yes
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 4 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests

Features:

Mason Mill Park
- Bike racks
- Playground
- Multi-use field
- Recreation center
- Tennis courts
- Picnic area
- Garden
- Bathroom
- Dog park (separate from the main park)
Medlock Park
- Baseball and softball fields
- Playground
- Swimming pool
- Picnic area

Links:

DeKalb County (includes information about programming available at the parks)
PATH Foundation
DeKalb County master plan

August 13, 2016

October 26, 2014

August 13, 2016

January 17, 2017

Medlock Park Community Garden, January 17, 2017

April 29, 2017

February 18, 2018

November 2, 2019

Good to combine with:

Featured

Lullwater Preserve and Hahn Woods

Kittredge Park

W.D. Thomson Park

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve

Updated August 2, 2016, January 17, 2017, April 29, 2017, February 18, 2018, & November 2, 2019

Mary Scott Nature Park

February 02, 2019 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Much of the trail is gravel. The rest of the trail segments are natural.

Address (approximate): 4168 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
Admission: None
Acres: 11
Approximate miles of trails: 0.6
Hours: 7:00am to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 11

Features:

Parking
Playground
Picnic tables
Trash cans
Park journal
Bike rack

Finding the primary trailhead: Take I-85 North to exit 93. Make a right on Shallowford Rd. Drive 0.8 miles and then turn left onto Briarcliff Rd NE. Drive 0.2 miles, and the entrance to the park will be on your left.

Parking: There is a small, free parking lot available at the main trailhead. The trailheads at both roads named Overlook Dr NE each have some on-street parking available.

Links:
Friends of Mary Scott Nature Park: Web Facebook

January 26, 2013

Playground, February 2, 2019

February 2, 2019

Good to combine with:

Updated August 3, 2016 & February 2, 2019

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

Bob Callan/Rottenwood Creek Trail

Bob Callan Trail

November 04, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

Address (approximate): 200 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339
Admission: None
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Unknown

Miles from downtown Atlanta: 12

Finding the primary trailhead: Take I-75 North to exit 258. Turn right on Cumberland Blvd. Cross under I-285. Pass Interstate N Pkwy SE, then take the next right at a sign for Bob Callan Trail.

Parking: Limited free parking at North trailhead (about 10 spaces). Larger paid lot ($3 per day) at South trailhead. Restrooms available at South trailhead.

November 4, 2017

Redbreast Sunfish, November 4, 2017

November 4, 2017

Good to combine with:

West Palisades

Updated August 3, 2016 & November 4, 2017

Mercer University Cecil B. Day Campus Nature Trail

September 24, 2017 by Shawn Taylor in parks

There are two unconnected trails at Mercer. The east trail has seen more use and better upkeep than the west trail. The east trail has two segments on opposite sides of the road just south of the east parking lot.

The east trail trailheads are marked with a sign saying “Mercer University Cecil B. Day Campus Nature Trail” and listing the rules of the trail. Some of these signs are obscured by trees and set far off the road where they may not be easily visible. The west trail trailheads are marked by wooden signs saying “Nature Trail”.

Address: University Cir, Atlanta, GA 30341
Admission: None
Acres: 97
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 13

Finding the primary trailhead: Take I-85 North to exit 94. Turn right onto Chamblee Tucker Rd. Follow the signs to Mercer University. Once you are on campus, the east trails are accessible from East Parking, and the west trails are accessible from West or East AACC Parking.

East trail trailhead coordinates: 33.871915, -84.260159
West trail trailhead coordinates: 33.874295, -84.265083 and 33.873723, -84.266796

Parking: Parking appears to be free; no permit needed. Parking may be limited during peak class times.