Sandy Creek Park, spanning 260 acres around Lake Chapman, offers visitors a diverse range of activities and amenities. It boasts the distinction of being home to the sole beach in Athens-Clarke County, providing a unique opportunity for aquatic recreation. With over 28,000 square feet of sandy shoreline and more than half an acre of designated swimming areas, the beach at Sandy Creek Park is a favorite destination among locals and tourists alike. Additionally, the park features an extensive network of trails totaling over 14 miles. These trails wind through easy-to-moderate terrain, catering to hikers, walkers, and equestrians of all ages and skill levels. While the beach and swimming areas are accessible year-round, it's important to note that bicycles are prohibited on all park trails. Furthermore, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Dog Park
• Picnic Tables Available
• Basketball Court.
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SANDY CREEK PARK REVIEWS
Sandy Creek Park is a BEAUTIFUL park. They have a large lovely swim area with beach, a beautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous GA trees, lots of trails, disc golf, nature center, multiple gazebos and picnic areas! They have kayaks and canoes avaible for rent, cheap. They don't allow big motor boats so it's safe to take the kids out and kayak peacefully. It's a very big park, playgrounds, volleyball all kinds of stuff. A wonderful way to spend a day any time of year.
Love Sandy Creek. It can easily compete with state parks. Lots to do and see. The trail is much longer than you would expect. Dog park is great. Amazing facilities. Friendly staff. Would strongly recommend. Dog-friendliness: This is one of the best places for dog families. There are a ton of places to take your dog. However, the dog parents here pay more attention and have better behaved dogs.
Nice, large park. If you have a dog, this is the place to take them! Our kids enjoyed the playground and riding their bikes on the paved path. The lake was pretty and there is a Sandy beach for swimming in the summer.
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Sandy Creek Nature Center is the region's pivotal hub for environmental education, offering a wealth of natural wonders spread across 225 acres of woodlands and wetlands. Visitors can explore over 4 miles of trails, including an ADA interpretive trail and a connection to the North Oconee River Greenway, providing ample opportunities for outdoor adventure. The center is a treasure trove of ecological marvels featuring live reptiles, amphibians, and marine and freshwater aquariums, alongside interactive natural history exhibits and an extensive resource library, all housed within an eco-friendly building. Serving as a gateway to outdoor exploration, the center offers online registration for programs catering to adults and children, ensuring engaging and informative experiences for all ages. Moreover, visitors can immerse themselves in history on-site at the circa 1815 log house and enjoy several wildlife observation areas scattered throughout the grounds. The center provides comprehensive information about summer camp offerings for those seeking summertime adventures.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Picnic Tables Available
• Playground Slides Available
• Pet Friendly.
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Working Hours:
Sun & Mon: Closed
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SANDY CREEK NATURE CENTER REVIEWS
Go here at least twice a week to walk my dog. Trails are well maintained, staff is extremely friendly, and I see community events here all of the time. They work with homeschoolers, private and public schools to give educational classes about the environment and preservation. Love spending my time here! Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys long walks & nature. Oh also, it is attached to the Greenway Trails.
Sandy Creek Nature Center is a real gem for the Athens community! We took our three grandchildren (ages 7,4 and 2) over the Thanksgiving holidays, and they all had a great time. The exhibits are so well done. We had the good fortune of bumping into two SCNC naturalists (Kate Mowbray and Michelle Cash) who took the time to chat and answer questions. Great place, great staff. Highly recommend.
Neat place for kids and they have a gift shop! Lots of free programs, plenty of parking, hiking trails, access to Greenway, an ADA trail (flat boardwalk, but downhill), and kids playground which is very neat and rustic. A few picnic tables but not many. Apparently, they host kid birthday parties there as well.
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North Oconee River Greenway spans 3.5 miles and is 10 feet wide, offering a paved multi-use path accessible to all non-motorized activities. Beginning at the Sandy Creek Nature Center, the trail seamlessly connects with Cook's Greenway Trail and extends southward along the North Oconee River until Dudley Park. Along this scenic route, visitors can delve into the area's rich history, including sites like the Former Cook and Brother Amory, Chicopee mill, Dudley Park, and Athens railroad, among others. The trail welcomes visitors daily from sunrise to sunset, providing ample opportunities for exploration and recreation. However, it's essential to note that the trail may experience flooding during heavy rains, particularly near the river. To further enhance the experience, Pulaski Heights, Millege Extension, and Trail Creek Trail offer additional links to the Greenway, ensuring convenient access for all. Visitors can take advantage of parking, picnicking areas, and other recreational amenities conveniently located along the Greenway route.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Restroom Facilities Available
• Dog Friendly Park
• Well Maintained Paths.
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NORTH OCONEE RIVER GREENWAY REVIEWS
I love walking here. It's always so beautifully maintained and it's not usually super busy or crowded. There's so many activities to do (i.e. walk, run, skate, bike) and a lot of people bring their dogs. Playground: Near the nature center, there's a playground for kids. It's really cute. It's right next to the parking lot of the nature center too, so you don't have to walk to get to it if that's not what you're trying to do. Dog-friendliness: You can bring your dogs. Plenty of people do. Just pick up after them and keep the trails nice for everybody who uses them!
Love coming here for a walk or run! Came here on a sunday afternoon with my husband and walked for about 2 miles. The greenway is gorgeous, and safe. There's parking along the greenway, you can also park at the sandy creek nature center.
This is the best place to bike in Athens. Our 7 and 10 year old are able to do the whole trail (or all the trail I know about). It's all paved, mostly shaded, and lots of fun to go from the Sandy Creek Nature Center to the downtown area. We usually stop at Lexington Rd.
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