18 places to bask in Atlanta’s greenery
The city in the forest’ keeps its tree canopy on fleek
Photo credit: Courtesy of Olmsted Park
Trees are nothing to sneeze at in Atlanta — except during pollen season, of course. The “Atlanta Tree Canopy” even has its own Wikipedia entry and a 38-year-old protection ordinance within city limits. We’re that serious about our leafy friends. Our collective obsession has earned Atlanta a national rep as “the city in the forest,” while giving us plenty of reason to throw shade at less arbor-endowed metropolises. To bask in our glory, just look up. But if fuller communion is what you seek, here are 18 places to soak up the city’s preferred, and most preserved, natural resource.
Atlanta Beltline Northside Trail
With the opening of the Northside Trail in April 2010, the neighborhoods around Collier Hills are now linked by a continuous mile-long trail. The updated trail traverses the Howard Property, “Cathedral Woods,” and Bobby Jones Golf Course, from Ardmore Park to Atlanta Memorial Park through Tanyard Cr...
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Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail
Enjoy the rustic charm of this former railroad corridor winding behind old warehouses, historic neighborhoods, and under bridges while you can. More than $40 million is expected to be spent turning this overgrown gem between Washington Park and Adair Park into a glimmering multi-use path.
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Atlanta Memorial Park
The 200-acre park winds along Peachtree Creek in one of Atlanta’s loveliest neighborhoods. It includes a running trail, fields, playgrounds, 23 tennis courts (at the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center), and the Bobby Jones Golf Course.
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Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center
The 46-acre preserve is a favorite for families and hiking day trips. The Heritage Village maintains the charming rural heritage of a General Store, chapel, and farmhouses. Nature enthusiasts can explore 2 miles of walking trails through the forest or dip their toes in Sal’s Creek.
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Avondale Lake
A small lake located in the heart of Avondale Estates with a lovely landscaped walking path around its perimeter.
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Brook Run Park
Dunwoody’s largest park is comprised of more than 100 acres, featuring a dog park, skate park, community garden, children’s playground, walking trails, and picnic areas.
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Brookhaven Park
One of the city’s largest greenspaces, Brookhaven Park is popular with dog lovers. It’s central to the neighborhood and within walking distance of a number of important locations, including Oglethorpe University, the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA station, and Town Brookhaven, the neighborhood’s behemo...
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Cabbagetown Park
The site of the former Grant School, now Cabbagetown Park, marked the last option for developing a substantial swath of greenspace within the Cabbagetown neighborhood. After years of wrangling over details, price, and land use with the Atlanta Public School system throughout the late 1990s, the neig...
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Candler Park
A 55-acre greenspace with outdoor pool, tennis courts, playground, picnic area, and recently restored soccer field sits in the middle of the neighborhood with the same name. The renovated nine-hole golf course now includes a restored, naturalized creek.
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Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Established in 1979 with city, state and federal funds, the 120-acre woodland and former Creek Indian settlement features steep inclines, a babbling creek, a waterfall, and is home to deer and more than 150 native plant species. It includes an old spring house where tourists once bathed and the rema...
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Chastain Park
Its 320 acres include a running/cycling path, tennis courts, an 18-hole public golf course, as well as an art gallery. Most notable is the ivy-trimmed amphitheater.
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Findley Plaza
In the market for some poetry or hobo handicrafts? Perhaps you’d like to play hacky sack or get a brochure about Zendik Farm. Or you just want to hang out with Wolf and enjoy some of the best people-watching in the city. Then head down to the corner of Euclid and Moreland avenues.
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Grant Park
The 131-acre greenspace that gave the surrounding neighborhood its name is arguably the city’s most mellow and picturesque. On weekends, it’s a stomping ground for family reunions and one of Atlanta’s most popular farmers markets.
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John A. White Park and Golf Course
The 106-acre park contains a 40-acre, nine-hole golf course that remains a bit of a hidden gem in southwest Atlanta, despite its prime location less than 5 miles from Downtown. The park also features picnic grills, a swimming pool, and clubhouse.
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Lenox Park
A nice-size park with a trail for running, jogging, or walking. While slightly less known to non-residents, Lenox Park is well-known to people who live in the neighborhood, and is busy most days with families, pets, and more. It’s also home to plenty of ducks, so be sure to bring some bread.
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Morningside Nature Preserve
Formerly called the Wildwood Forest, it’s a 31-acre woodland plot that was saved after citizens fought to protect the rare and pristine oasis in the city. The nearly mile-long trail is a pleasant trek for hikers and cyclists — and the suspension bridge spanning the South Fork of Peachtree Creek is w...
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Olmsted Linear Park
The result of a public-private partnership between the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Fernbank Inc. that includes six segments — Oak Grove, Shadyside, Virgilee, Dellwood, Springdale, and Deepdene. It was the brainchild of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. in 1890.
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Outdoor Activity Center
This 26-acre urban nature preserve includes about 2 miles of trails, as well as a team-building ropes course, and a children’s nature-themed playground. Among the learning facilities are a tree house classroom, a 650-gallon freshwater aquarium, and a multipurpose building. Adjacent to the facility i...
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The list above first appeared in the 2015 CL Cityguide and was updated by CL Staff recently.