The Best Family-Friendly Parks In & Around East Cobb
Courtesy of Page Morgan
Going to the park is among the many things to do in East Cobb. You can go people-watching, set up a picnic and read a good book, let the kids and your dogs play, and participate in sports with your loved ones. We highly recommend the following family-friendly parks in and around East Cobb. Hyde Farm Park www.nps.gov/places/hyde-farm.htm Located off Lower Roswell Road in nearby Marietta, Hyde Farm Park is a 135-acre green space that used to be a farm from the 1830s until 2009. Now the farm, its land, and surviving buildings are used as a recreational and educational facility. Many believe that Hyde Farm is one of Cobb County's greatest treasures. Drive down picturesque Hyde Road and amble along the terrace gardens just beyond the old farmhouse. You can even drink water from the farm's working well. Immerse yourself in the past and imagine yourself in a time when Cobb County was just like Hyde Farm. Mabry Park Approximately 10 minutes away from East Cobb, Mabry Park has the distinction of being one of East Cobb's newest and biggest parks. Opened to the public on May 2, 2019, it spans a bountiful 26.5 acres. Walking trails, a community garden, a playground, pavilions, and a pond with an overlooking bridge are some of Mabry Park's highlights. Find shade under a grove of trees and enjoy views of the open meadows. | East Cobb Park www.cobbcounty.org/parks/parks-andnature/locations/east-cobb-park East Cobb Park consists of 13 stunning acres of green space. Within the grounds are an outdoor stage, classrooms, and pavilions that can be rented for birthday parties and other events. There are also walking paths, playgrounds, fields, picnic areas, scenic bridges, and creek overlooks. Keep an eye out for fun events that include Pops in the Park, a free concert that features local musicians. Come holiday time, come to East Cobb Park for the Holiday Lights Celebration. Wright Environmental Education Center www.cobbmastergardeners.com/project/ wright-environmental-education-center If you're looking for diverse flora and fauna, head to the Wright Environmental Education Center. An Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, it features 19 acres of protected land where you can find a large collection of plants that are native to Georgia. This park is only open for scheduled visits so make sure to sign up. You can park on Post Oak Tritt Road next to Chestnut Ridge Christian Church. Sweat Mountain Park www.cobbcounty.org/parks/parks-andnature/locations/sweat-mountain-park Sporty types will love Sweat Mountain Park. It features four tennis courts, three baseball fields, batting cages, and two practice fields. But even non-athletes can enjoy the park! There's a playground, a picnic pavilion, and a concession building. Pet owners can take their beloved pooches to the off-leash dog park, which includes separate areas for large dogs and small dogs that weigh thirty pounds or less. Sweat Mountain Park is open every day from dawn till dusk, except on Wednesday mornings when it's closed for maintenance. | Sope Creek Trail www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/ a-getaway-close-to-home-sope-creek If you're craving adventure, head to Sope Creek Trail within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It's a three-miles nature trail that is great for mountain biking, hiking, and running. While you're there, peep into the ruins of a paper mill destroyed by Union soldiers during the Civil War. There's also a big pond near the trailhead that has peaceful views and wildflowers during warm months. Gold Branch Trail www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/goldbranch-trail-bull-sluice-lake Located within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Gold Branch features serene views of the river. Expect mirror-like reflections from both this part of the Chattahoochee as well as the adjacent Bull Sluice Lake, which was made when the Chattahoochee River was dammed downstream at Morgan Falls. This lake spans a massive 600 acres. Many waterfowl visit here, making it a popular bird-watching and fishing area in East Cobb. Get back to nature and appreciate all its beauty as you watch local birds or catch a fish. Gold Branch Park also has many forests that allow you to unplug from busy city life. Hike along the Gold Branch Trail and enjoy the sight of large rock outcrops crusted in moss and lichen. Walk through a young hardwood forest. The Gold Branch Trail follows Bulls Sluice Lake's banks and has many interesting twists and turns. Gaze at the lakeside vegetation or rest your eyes on the tree line at the opposite shore. |