OUTDOORS
Treat yourself to a walk in the woods at one of these local parks Words and Photos by Isadora Pennington In metro Atlanta, even when you’re stuck at home or in a high-rise office building, you usually find yourself only a few minutes from the natural beauty offered by local parks and nature preserves. Now, as spring colors the trees and trails and the community begins to open up from some of the restrictions imposed to fight the spread of COVID-19, it’s a good time to go for a walk in the woods. Here are five nearby places where metro residents can find trails leading through towering trees or along babbling creeks. Blue Heron Nature Preserve 4055 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta 30342 Tucked away in the heart of Buckhead, this 30-acre woodland retreat offers the chance to see various landscapes and an array of wildlife. The grounds include trails, sandy beaches along a meandering creek, swampland, wildflower fields and a community garden, all shaded by towering trees. The property is the home of the Audubon Society and Amphibian Foundation and hosts plenty of conservation efforts helmed by the Blue Heron staff. The shaded trails provide comfortable walks for much of the year. Roswell Riverwalk 9100 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075 There’s a reason this walkway surrounded by natural beauty has earned nearly five stars in online reviews. The nearly 4-milelong trail along the Chattahoochee River links a number of local parks, including Don White Park, Azalea Park, Riverside Park and Willeo Park before it delivers you to the Chattahoochee Nature Center and the Roswell Historic District. The well-maintained boardwalks are great for visitors of all ages and walkers of all skill levels. It’s also ideal for bikes and strollers. Mason Mill Park 1406-1458 McConnell Dr., Decatur 30033 South Peachtree Creek Trail winds through Mason Mill Park in North Decatur. An array of paved trails lead to elevated boardwalks that travel through the treetops of beautiful dense woodland and
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MAY 2021 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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