Secret Gardens

ATTRACTIONS Secret Gardens

7 Gwinnett parks offering unexpected discoveries

BY LANE HOLMAN

F

rom a former girls school with a haunted past to a nature trail where dinosaurs roam, Gwinnett parks are full of surprises, history, and quiet corners to retreat into nature.

1

Rushing waters

Just off Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, Freeman’s Mill Park draws nature lovers to the cascading waters of an 1870s grist mill on the Alcovy River. The picturesque stone dam and the mill, which was functional until 1996, are popular photoshoot backdrops. A half-mile trail and a playground also make this historic treasure a top spot for families.

2Stealth Shangri-La

Who knew that just behind a Duluth car dealership, there is a vast greenspace with three miles of trails? Locals seeking an excellent place to run, a roomy dog park for the pooch, or somewhere the kids can work off the wiggles need look no further than McDaniel Farm Park. In addition to the farm-themed playground, there’s a perfectly preserved 1930s farm and a restored 1956 tractor.

3Dinosaurs near the mall?

Not far from Mall of Georgia, Buford’s sprawling Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center offers dozens of ways to get in touch with nature—and prehistoric creatures. The center boasts more than five miles of trails for all fitness levels, including a braille trail for the sightimpaired. Explorers will find dinosaur statues along the trails, and adventurers can tackle Treetop Quest, with ladders, ropes, and zip lines in the canopy.

High-Tech Hide and Seek

For anyone looking for a challenging adventure with family or friends, geocaching offers a modern twist on treasure hunting. Participants use phone apps or GPS devices to get clues to find a hidden cache, usually a small container with stickers, small toys, or coins. Gwinnett County has a lively geocaching scene, with new caches popping up weekly, especially around Snellville, Lilburn, and Stone Mountain Park. Newbies should sign up at geocaching. com, which offers app downloads, local maps, and beginner’s etiquette.

4Whole lotta history

In the mid-1800s, Gwinnett’s Thomas Hudson was a guy who did all the things: local postmaster, store owner, state legislator. Now, visitors looking for a dose of olden times can visit his post office and home at Lilburn’s Yellow River Post Office and Hudson-Nash Farm. This quiet little park—just five acres—features a short trail, a picnic area, and restrooms.

5A classic gathering place

Duluth’s Shorty Howell Park draws families, sporty types, and those who just want to get outside. The park is home to bustling youth baseball and softball leagues as well as an activity building that hosts fitness classes. Many organizations hold events here, and kids love the playgrounds and find the small lake and its bossy geese irresistible.

6Ghosts vs. brides

It's hard to compete with the splendor of the dozens of weddings that take place at Lawrenceville Female Seminary every year. Still, the word is at least one ghost, that of a former student, makes herself known around the place. A regular stop on local ghost tours, the 1850s Greek-style building is home to the Gwinnett History Museum. It shares a gracious lawn with the historic Isaac Adair House.

7Tranquility, trains, and trolls

Loganville’s Vines Park is a low-key garden with scenic paths surrounding a lake. It’s popular with those in search of a serene escape from the noise and bustle—though yogis unrolling their mats should watch out for the troll who lives here. (Look for eyes peeking out of a mound of dirt.) A miniature railroad with more than 1,000 feet of track is maintained by volunteers and runs during the summer.