If you have not yet visited Herbert Greene Nature Park, you will not want to miss this opportunity. Herbert Greene is one of Atlanta’s true natural area gems, located near the Boulder Park neighborhood just outside I-285. Boulder Park is indeed named for the ancient, rounded rock formations found along the west side of Atlanta and extending through Palmetto, GA.

A rustic nature trail takes us along the banks of Utoy Creek, which offers a beautiful “morning light” view of the creek as it enters the park from the adjacent neighborhood. The creek takes a deep bend with a sandbar, then flows on through a healthy and diverse forest with several notable rock formations.

Majestic Beech trees show a forest well on the way to recovery, and Sycamore and River Birch, which have distinctive, artful bark patterns, adorn the banks of Utoy Creek, which at this point has really become a small river just before joining the Chattahoochee.  Scarlet Oak and Sourwood contribute a range of autumn reds, and Basket Oak (Swamp Chestnut Oak), unusual for our area, can also be found here.

This greenspace holds on to its rural character, and more wildlife than is usual for an urban zone call this natural area home, from deer to tiny tree frogs and likely everyone in between. Connected closely to the Chattahoochee River corridor, this greenspace also hosts neo-tropical migrating songbirds, as well as herons and other water birds.

Photographers will enjoy opportunities to photograph  interesting light in the forest, a high diversity of forest tree types with varying bark types and leaf shapes, and by the end of Oct 24, we should be seeing some great fall color. If you don’t have a camera we’ll provide one for you, and your photos can help tell the story of Atlanta’s special Nature.

We’ll walk approximately 1.5-2 miles at a slow, easy pace on flat terrain.

To register (RSVP) click HERE

Details and directions sent to registered participants.

A donation of $15 or more helps our programs.

photo (top), Utoy Creek at Herbert Greene Park, by Debra Murray, (right) Herbert Greene Park, by Barbara Baggerman