Gardens & Parks
Parks
Flagpole Magazine's guide to parks in Athens.
Map of ACC Leisure Services Facilities
Shows locations of parks operated by ACC government.
The
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
A 313-acre preserve set aside by the University of Georgia to foster appreciation, understanding,
and stewardship of plants and nature. Features miles of hiking trails, a three-story tropical conservatory, and
gardens showcasing native and international flora.
Read about the history and growth of the Botanical Garden.
Bishop Park
A 33-acre park offering athletic fields, basketball courts, a swimming pool, a gym, a playground, tennis courts,
a walking trail and a picnic area.
East Athens Community Park
A new facility featuring athletic fields and paved walking paths.
Founders Memorial Garden
Created as a living tribute to the twelve Georgia women who in 1891 formed the first garden club in the nation, this 2.5 acre garden on the grounds of the University of Georgia campus features a perennial garden, a formal boxwood parterre, a camellia walk and arbor, and a shaded garden with azaleas, rhododendrons, ground covers, and stone paths.
Latin American Ethnobotanical Garden
Highlights medicinal plants of cultural significance in Latin America and focuses attention on the critical need for conservation of this biodiversity.
Memorial Park
Covers 72 acres in the historic Five Points district and features a three-acre lake, swimming pool, playground, picnic shelters,
and an enclosed dog park. Additionally, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, the Birchmore Trail, and Athens Creative Theatre are located at the park.
Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
Bear Hollow's exhibits of native Georgia wildlife such as black bears, bobcats, deer, eagles, owls, and river otters
teach visitors about wildlife and our community's reliance on natural systems of the environment.
North Oconee River Greenway & Riverside Parks
The Athens Greenway system consists of over 700 acres of greenspace and riverside parks, including a 3.5 mile paved bicycling and walking path which connects with Cook’s Trail at Sandy Creek Nature Center and follows the North Oconee River south toward downtown Athens and UGA.
Oconee Forest Park
A 60-acre natural area on the UGA campus providing recreation, teaching, and research opportunities for the community while preserving its 100-year-old forest.
Sandy Creek Nature Center
225 acres of woodlands, fields, and wetlands serve as a wildlife sanctuary and environmental education facility. Provides more than 5 miles of nature trails. The ENSAT Center features interactive learning centers which promote understanding of our natural environment.
Sandy Creek Park
Nearly 800 acres featuring Lake Chapman surrounded by rolling fields and woods. Offers a variety of outdoor recreation
opportunities including playgrounds, sports areas, swimming, hiking, camping, horse trails, dog runs, disc golf and picnic areas.
Southeast Clarke Park
This 124-acre park has an array of amenities including baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, a walking path and nature trails. The park is also
home to the World of Wonder Playground, Wiggly Field Dog Park, and Skatepark of Athens.
World of Wonder Community Playground
Located in Southeast Clarke Park, the World of Wonder is Georgia's largest community-built playground.
Features two acres of mazes, slides, swings, bridges, tunnels, climbing walls, and an enclosed area for toddlers.
ACC Leisure Services Program Guide
A schedule of events held at facilities of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department
including Lyndon House Arts Center, the Morton Theatre, Sandy Creek Nature Center, and area parks.