Area Parks and Recreation Guide
With today’s busy schedules, it’s nice to know you have somewhere fun to take your kids after school or on the weekends. Here’s a glance at Atlanta’s parks and recreation departments; they aren’t just grass and trees anymore. And the best part is they’re free!

City of Acworth: 770-974-3112. www.acworth.org. The Parks and Recreation Department conducts special events and activities throughout the year. It sponsors annual events such as a Daddy-Daughter Dance and an Arbor Day Celebration in February, an Easter Egg Hunt, a Halloween Carnival in October, and Santa’s Arrival in Acworth on the first Friday evening in December.

City of Alpharetta: 678-297-6100. www.alpharetta.ga.us. The Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department provides year-round sports, activities and special events. It also has programs for children and operates an equestrian facility in the southeast at Wills Park.

Bartow County: 770-387-5149. www.bartowga.org. Four parks, one community facility. Features: boat ramps, picnic pavilions, campsites and organized activities.

City of Chamblee: 770-986-5016. www.chambleega.com. There are plenty of chances to get involved in Chamblee. Join a sports team, relax at a park, or participate in the city’s other community activities.

Cherokee County: 770-924-7768. www.crpa.net. Seventeen parks, three community centers, one bike trail. Features: ponds, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, outdoor basketball courts, baseball/softball fields, walking/running tracks, concession buildings, tennis courts and organized activities.

Clayton County: 770-477-3766. www.co.clayton.ga.us. Thirty-five parks, three community centers, seventy athletic fields. Features: twenty-nine tennis courts, thirteen playgrounds, two fishing ponds, one swimming pool, beach pavilion, nature preserve.

Cobb County: 770-528-8800. www.cobbcounty.org. Thirty-five parks, four cultural centers, four aquatic centers, two community centers. Features: baseball/softball fields, concession buildings, playgrounds, fitness trails, football fields, gymnasiums, tennis courts, batting cages, sand volleyball courts, lakes and organized activities.

Coweta County: 770-254-3740. www.coweta.ga.us. Thirteen parks, four recreation complexes, one swimming pool, one athletic complex. Features: ball fields, gymnasiums, playgrounds and organized activities.

City of Cumming: 770-781-2030. www.cityofcumming.net. A number of recreational events, such as fairs, sports and camps are available to residents. There are also a number of volunteer activities offered.

City of Decatur: 404-377-0494. www.decaturga.com. The city’s department offers a full program of athletics, classes, recreation services, tennis, aquatics, and summer camps; community services, include children’s and youth services.

DeKalb County: 404-371-2631. www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks. Eighty-three parks, three recreation centers, one tennis center, one golf course. Features: ball fields, basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, trails, tennis courts, swimming pools, lakes and organized activities.

City of Doraville: 770-936-3850. http://doravillepd.home.mindspring.com/city. Doraville’s department offers sporting and learning activities and special events all year.

Douglas County: 770-920-7129. www.co.douglas.ga.us. Ten parks, one nature preserve. Summer camps, youth activities, athletic leagues sponsored by the county. Features: ball fields, playgrounds, trails and organized activities

Fayette County: 770-716-4320. www.admin.co.fayette.ga.us. Three parks (two under development), one activities center. Features: ball fields, tennis courts, lakes, boat ramps, fishing, playgrounds and organized activities.

Forsyth County: 770-781-2215. www.forsythco.com. Ten parks, one nature preserve, one community center, one soccer complex. Features: ball fields, trails, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, kitchens, gymnasiums, disc golf course and organized activities.

Fulton County: 404-730-6200. www.co.fulton.ga.us. Twenty-two parks, two recreation centers, three tennis centers, two natural preserves. Features: picnic pavilions, tennis courts, trails, playgrounds, gymnasiums and organized activities.

Gwinnett County: 770-822-8840. www.gwinnettcounty.com. Twenty-eight parks (several more under development), three aquatic centers, three sports complexes and two museums. Features: ball fields, trails, playgrounds, concession buildings, restrooms, bike trails, gymnasiums, dog park, picnic pavilions, tennis courts, roller hockey rinks, community buildings and organized activities.

Hall County: 770-535-8280. www.hallcounty.org. Thirteen parks, two community centers, one nature center, one agricultural center and one soccer complex. Features: tennis courts, ball fields, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, restrooms, concession buildings, boat ramps, canoe/kayak facilities, trails, “spraygrounds” (water playgrounds for the little ones) and organized activities.

Henry County: 770-954-2031. www.co.henry.ga.us. Twenty-one parks, two nature centers, two sports complexes. Features: ball fields, trails, concession buildings, restrooms, picnic pavilions, BMX tracks and organized activities.

City of Kennesaw: 770-422-9714. www.kennesaw-ga.gov. One community park, thirteen neighborhood parks, three indoor recreational facilities and a community center. Kennesaw’s Recreation Department provides a number of classes, camps, fairs, and activities throughout the year.

City of Marietta: 770-794-5601. www.mariettaga.gov. Twenty-two parks, two recreation centers. Features: ball fields, picnic pavilions, gymnasiums, tennis courts, nature and jogging trails, and organized activities.

Paulding County: 770-445-8065. www.paulding.gov. Four parks, two recreational facilities, one mixed-use trail. Features: ball fields, tennis courts, picnic pavilions, trails, gymnasiums, community buildings, lakes, tot lots, horseshoe courts and organized activities.

City of Peachtree City: 770-631-2542. www.peachtree-city.org/recreation. The city offers instruction classes, aquatics programs, athletic programs, summer camps, special events and holiday programs. Features: picnic areas, playgrounds, fitness trails, fishing ponds, skateboard ramp.

Rockdale County: 770-785-5922. vwww.rockdalecounty.org. Eight parks, two sports complexes. Features: tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, ball fields, concession buildings, restrooms, basketball courts, boat ramps, lakes, fishing pier and organized activities.

City of Roswell: 770-641-3705. www.roswellgov.com. Eight parks, five recreation centers, one skate park, one physical activity center. The city offers a number of special events, athletic activities and summer programs each year. Features: tennis courts, swimming pools, racquetball.

City of Smyrna: 770-431-2842. www.ci.smyrna.ga.us. Sixteen parks, two museums, one sports complex, one aquatic center. The city offers a variety of recreational and athletic activities for youth and adults. Features: ball fields, sensory garden, walking trails, arboretum

City of Snellville: 770-985-3535. www.snellville.org. One multi-use park with fishing, fitness trail, tennis courts, soccer fields, swimming pool, pavilions, playgrounds. A variety of classes and outdoor and indoor activities are provided by the city’s department. Special events also occur throughout the year.

Top Playground Picks / Outdoor
*These are just some of our favorite playgrounds. Find info on others in our Playground Archive.

Best Friend Park. 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross. This 43-acre park is home to an aquatic center, tennis center and community building. The pool provides an interactive play center and there is a separate swing area. The playground features slides, climbing structures and more. 770-417-2212.

Centennial Park. Baker Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Atlanta. Less than a block from the children’s museum is a hidden gem of a playground in Centennial Olympic Park. Kids can hop, skip and jump on two playscapes. The playground features three slides, a bridge, a zip line and several towers where children can play tic-tac-toe and peer through Plexiglas windows. The bouncy ground covering is sure to cushion any falls. Benches for parents ring the play area. 404-222-7275.

Chattahoochee River Park. 203 Azalea Drive, Roswell. Situated along the Chattahoochee River, the park offers a relaxing scene with plenty of covered resting spots for a picnic lunch or small gathering. A popular spot on the playground is a tiny bridge overlooking a stream that flows into the river. Kids can toss rocks into the stream or watch for fish jumping in the Hooch. In the play area the equipment includes swings, slides and mini climbing walls. 770-641-3705.

Clarence Duncan Memorial Park. 6000 Rivertown Road, Fairburn. The park’s playground equipment includes teeter-totters, swings, a swinging bridge, monkey bars and more. Benches and picnic pavilions are located close to the playground so parents can sit in a shady area and watch their children play. If you’re bringing a picnic, throw in some extra bread for the pond’s ducks. The park also features hiking trails and an indoor pool, so bring your swimming suits along. 770-306-3136.

Ellsworth Park. Howell Mill Rd. at Collier Rd. NW, Atlanta. There’s lots to explore in this fenced-in area: a fort-like play structure with two slides, climbing wall and interactive features, swings for toddlers and older kids, spring toys, two spinner bowls and a teeter-totter. For moms, it’s a great meeting place for mom’s groups, play dates and picnics. And, all of the play equipment rests on recycled rubber material, which is bouncy and wheelchair accessible. 404-817-6734.

Hurt Road Park. 990 Hurt Road SW, Austell. This playground offers something for all ages. Bucket swings and sand play will occupy the little ones while older kids tackle the monkey bars, slides, tic-tac-toe, tunnel and a swing set of their own. Parents can watch their children play while relaxing on a shaded bench. 770-528-8890.

Jones Bridge Park. 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Norcross. The playground has three wooden play stations with a swinging bridge, a big twisty slide, monkey bars, climbing poles and more. A swing set and sand volleyball court add even more options for play. A shaded area with benches and picnic tables is close by for parents to watch their children play. And if you’re the proud parent of an angler, there’s a fishing hole here, too! 770-417-2212.

McCurdy Park. 5190 West Mountain St., Stone Mountain. Children enter a world of fairytales, mighty kings and court jesters at the majestic McCurdy Park in Stone Mountain. With its colorful towers, castle walls and passages to explore, as well as swings, winding wooden steps and various sized slides there’s plenty to entertain even the most active child. An enclosed tot lot features a bucket swing, small connecting tires to crawl through and bars to hang from. 770-498-8984.

Orme Park. 795 Brookridge Drive NE, Atlanta. This playground is situated in the heart of the Virginia-Highland. This shady playground – truly a neighborhood gem – has a little something for everyone, including swings for toddlers, older kids and parents, picnic tables, a playscape with a telescope feature, slides and monkey bars and the ever-popular sandbox. The park also features a nature area, perfect for walking the family pet or just exploring on your own. 404-817-6744.

PlayTown Suwanee. 425 Main Street, Suwanee. This 10,000-square-foot multi-level wooden wonderland is a treasure trove of things to do, including six slides (even “wavy and twisty” ones), a vertical tunnel, several bridges, swings, ladders, a rock climbing wall, chin up bars, and rings. In addition, there is a bus, castle, rocket, ship, playhouses, sand box and a hidden phone system. 770-945-8996.

Promised Land Playground. 2450 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. Constructed entirely of wood, the 10,000-square-foot playground readily inspires imaginative play. The entire play area is connected with bridges or elevated walkways, each leading to a castle-like area. Speaker boxes allow communication between different areas. Around the wooden complex are two swing and slide areas – one for toddlers and another for older children. A layer of wood chips provides ample cushion below. 770-971-2323.

Top Playground Picks: Indoor

During the cold of the winter, indoor play areas are the perfect places to take your kids. Two of our favorites are the areas in North Point Mall and the Mall of Georgia.

Mall of Georgia’s Kidgits Korner. 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. This soft play area is designed for the toddler age group. Climbing and sliding are the main attractions here. There are benches for the parents, as well as stroller parking. There’s also a small library for all to enjoy. 678-482-8788.

North Point Mall Children’s Soft Play Area. 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. Specifically designed for children under 42” tall, the play area has a heroes theme, with firefighters, a fire truck and an ambulance as well as a slide and a bridge to climb over and through. All are built with soft materials to protect against falls. The play area also has plenty of seating for parents plus stroller parking. 770-740-9273. 

Top Playground Picks: Special Needs

Children’s Playgarden. Ephesus Church Road, Douglasville. This playground in Clinton Nature Preserve features an airplane structure that allows children who use wheelchairs to access slides and other play items. Swings with back support, musical instruments, a covered playhouse, tot area and sand play area round out the other playground amenities. Water misters are also available for the really hot days. All of the equipment on this playground is wheelchair accessible. www.jrleaguedouglasco.org.

Unity Place. 143 Ozora Road, Grayson. Located in Bay Creek Park, this playground has a wheelchair accessible sandbox and play area. The slides use ramps to reach the top. Swings with mesh backing are lower to the ground, so they are easily accessible for special needs kids. 770-822-8840.

All Children’s Playground. Willowbend Road, Peachtree City. This playground features a rubberized surface that allows wheelchairs easy maneuverability. To ensure that every child can have fun, the entire play area is connected by ramps and bridges, and a tot lot is available for younger kids. 770-631-2542.