4 minute read
OUTDOORS
Treat yourself to a walk in the woods at one of these local parks
Words and Photos by Isadora Pennington
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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 facebook.com/AtlantaSeniorLife
overlook Burnt Fork Creek. Mason Mill Park also is home to a dog park, the Central DeKalb Senior Center and DeKalb and Agape Tennis Centers. This intown gem offers wonderful and accessible nature walks just steps away from Emory University. Hidden down rough paths and visible in peeks from the boardwalks are the ruins of the Decatur Waterworks’ water treatment facility that was completed more than a century ago. These structures, while crumbling and forgotten, have been decorated with colorful graffiti that offers a visual surprise amongst the native trees and bushes that flourish around and atop the ruins.
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and History Center
9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek 30022
Located on 46 acres of ravine forest, this pristine natural wonder includes lush woodlands, and about 2.5 miles of scenic walking trails that include a walk along a peaceful creek, rocky shoals and plenty of native wildlife. When I was there, I even saw a deer on a ridge only a few hundred yards away. The site also is home to historic farmstead buildings dating back to the 1800s. The Autrey Mill Heritage Village includes a general store, historic church, tenant farmhouse and smokehouse. Kids will love visiting the gardens and feeding the chickens, goats, ducks, and bunnies.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mount Vernon Raod, Lithia Springs 30122
Just 15 miles from downtown Atlanta sits Sweetwater Creek State Park in east Douglas County. With 2,549 acres of lush natural woodlands, this property is home to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company and mill town of New Manchester. The general store and textile mill were destroyed by the Union army during the American Civil War and the area became an official state park in 1972. History buffs will appreciate the historical artifacts on display at the visitor center, and the park’s grounds offer wooded walking and hiking trails, the George Sparks Reservoir, a bait shop, and gift shop. At times the creek is lazy and meandering between river rocks, while after a rain it is often rushing and powerful. Keep an eye out for snakes, turtles and plenty of native birds.
Time for The Mansions
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Sharing meals with friends.
Time for . . . getting active. Exercise
classes. Gardening.
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Physical therapy. Memory care.
At The Mansions at Sandy Springs, we provide: • An affordable rate – includes medication management • FOX Stronger Living – Exercise Physiologists and therapists on site daily • Daybreak Memory Care Program – focusing on what residents CAN do • The largest apartments in the Sandy Springs/ Peachtree Corners area
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