State Botanical Garden of Georgia
2450 S. Milledge Ave. • 706-542-1244 • www.uga.edu/botgarden
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is maintained by UGA and encompasses more than 300 acres. The Garden is a popular destination for Athenians, with its five miles of well-kept nature trails, some of which follow the banks of the Oconee River. The mission of the Garden has been “to foster appreciation, understanding and stewardship of plants and nature†since its founding in 1968, and to create a “living laboratory.†Several beautiful, diverse gardens flourish, such as the International Garden, Native Flora Garden, Shade Garden and Heritage Garden. The Visitor’s Center houses a gift shop and three-story conservatory. Classes, seminars and art exhibitions are held all year long. Smoking and pets are not allowed on the premises.
The following parks are run by Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services (706-613-3800, www.accleisureservices.com) and are open during daylight hours. Call for seasonal schedules. No smoking is allowed in ACC parks.
Bishop Park
705 Sunset Dr. • 706-613-3589
Julius F. Bishop Park features athletic fields, basketball courts, a playground, a seasonal swimming pool, a paved walking path, a picnic area and tennis courts (including covered courts). Named for a former Athens mayor, the park is home to many youth sports, including the Athens-Clarke Gymnastics Academy. The Athens Farmers Market is held at the park from May through November.
Memorial Park
293 Gran Ellen Dr. • 706-613-3580
Memorial Park is located in the historic Five Points area, spanning 72 acres. The Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, a small zoo that houses eagles, bobcats, white-tailed deer, owls, bears and alligators, is inside. Other amenities include a three-acre lake, a seasonal swimming pool, picnic shelters, a playground and a confined dog park. Check Kidstuff in the Flagpole Calendar for seasonal kids’ events like Zoo Day and the Groundhog Day Celebration.
North Oconee River Greenway
205 Old Commerce Rd. • 706-613-3615
The North Oconee River Greenway covers 150 acres spanning 3.5 miles and links local parks, neighborhoods and community centers. This “linear park†boasts a 10-foot-wide path which connects to Cook’s Trail at Sandy Creek Nature Center and follows the North Oconee River south from the nature center toward downtown and Dudley Park.
Sandy Creek Nature Center
205 Old Commerce Rd. • 706-613-3615
The Sandy Creek Nature Center is an educational preserve that connects to Cook’s Trail and to the North Oconee River Greenway. It encompasses wetlands, woodlands and field ecosystems that span 225 acres in total, including more than four miles of hiking trails. The center’s Environment, Natural Science and Appropriate Technology Building (ENSAT) has a natural science resource library, interactive exhibits, a gift shop and live reptiles and amphibians. The remains of a 100-plus-year-old brick factory and a 19th-century log house are open for exploring. Check the weekly Flagpole Calendar for Sandy Creek’s seasonal events and activities for kids.
Sandy Creek Park
400 Bob Holman Rd. • 706-613-3631
Sandy Creek Park is the largest of the county’s parks, covering 782 acres surrounding Lake Chapman. It boasts hiking trails, picnic sites, horse trails, playgrounds, fishing spots, basketball courts and tennis courts. The park is home to a disc golf course ($1 per person) and a public dog park (private dog parks available at $1 per dog per hour). For ages 4–64, there is a $2 entrance fee; for all others, admittance is free.
Southeast Clarke Park
4440 Lexington Rd. • 706-613-3871
This 124-acre park has several attractions, including a playground, skate park, dog parks and recreational facilities. The World of Wonder Playground is the largest volunteer-built playground in the state of Georgia. The 1,700-sq.-ft. area is filled with slides, swings, bridges and mazes. Nearby, the Skate Park is 14,000-sq. ft. of ramps, bowls and rails which are open to BMX bikers and skateboarders. Wiggley Field is a main attraction for dog lovers where there are separate areas for small and large dogs to enjoy. Southeast Clarke also offers softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, a walking/jogging path and nature trails.
Other Parks
Ben Burton Park
616 Mitchell Bridge Rd. • 706-613-3800
Dudley Park
100 Dudley Park Dr. • 706-613-3615
East Athens Community Center
400 McKinley Dr. • 706-613-3593
Heritage Park
2543 Macon Hwy. • Watkinsville • 706-769-3965
Holland Youth Sports Complex
250 Vincent Dr. • 706-613-3604
North Oconee River Park
300 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pkwy. • 706-613-3615
Reese & Pope Park
375 Pope St. • 706-613-3800
Rocksprings Community Center & Park
291 Henderson Ext. • 706-613-3603
Satterfield Park
3028 Cherokee Rd. • 706-613-3589
Thomas N. Lay Park
297 Hoyt St. • 706-613-3596
Wesley Whitehead Park
495 Cherokee Rd.
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