The Leaflet February 2024: Trail Blazers Visit Chastain Park in March! Welcome New Board and Staff Members, Springway Update

February 2024

Creating, Conserving, & Connecting Parks, Trails, & Greenspace in Sandy Springs

Announcing 2024 Trail Blazer Walks

Our popular Trail Blazers program returns in 2024 with a schedule of walks that includes new destinations and expert guides! The monthly series of guided walks explores parks and trails in and around Sandy Springs on the second Saturday morning of each month from March - October.

2024 Walks will Include these Locations and More!

Chastain Park with guide Brian Barnes of Chastain Park Conservancy
Morgan Falls Overlook Park and the section of the Spingway
Big Trees Forest Preserve nature walk with guide Helen Tapp
Marsh Creek Rain Garden, the Veterans Park and Library Garden
West Palisades CRNRA with guide Sally Bethea
Island Ford CRNRA with the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
Crooked Creek Park in Sandy Springs

Join Trail Blazers at Chastain Park!

Join us as we visit Chastain Park in Atlanta for the Sandy Springs Conservancy’s first Trail Blazers guided walk of 2024!

Saturday, March 9, at 8:30 a.m.

The walk will be led by Brian Barnes, Director of Operations and Volunteer Programs for the Chastain Park Conservancy. The walk will cover approximately 1 ½ miles on the north end of the park. We’ll explore the new nature trails, the pond, renovated pavilions, playground, art center and learn about the history of the park. We’ll also hear about initial plans to connect the park to Path 400 and Sandy Springs. Registration is required and space is limited.

- Register Now -

Welcome New SSC Board and Staff!

The Sandy Springs Conservancy announces the 2024 Board of Directors, welcoming seven new members, Alex Beasley of Trees Atlanta; Jerry Bell, a retired marketing executive at Coca Cola; Brian Daughdrill an attorney with Giacoma Roberts & Daughdrill; Samuel Elrod a project manager with Winter Construction; Kathy Logan, a principal at Copper Carry; Deborah Minor a retired nonprofit executive and Martha Vega a project manager with Winter Construction. SSC also announces the addition of a new staff position, Director of Operations, Kristen Ristino-Najewski. - Read More About the 2024 SSC Board -

Springway Update and What's Next

The first section of Sandy Springs new trail network, the Springway, is under construction and making progress around Orkin Lake near the Chattahoochee River and Morgan Falls Dam. Construction by the city of the board walk around the lake has been slowed due to rain and other environmental issues. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The 1.6-mile segment connects Morgan Falls Overlook Park to Orkin Lake to Roswell Rd at Cimarron Pkwy. The next section of the 5-mile loop is awaiting funding for construction. The entire city trail plan includes about 30 miles of connecting paved pedestrian paths throughout the city.

- More information on the Springway -

Free NPS Passes for Veterans, Senior Discounts

Did you know that the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, part of the National Park Service (NPS), has three river parks in Sandy Springs?! Island Ford, Powers Island and East Palisades.

The NPS offers free annual and lifetime passes for active military, veterans, and Gold Star Families as well as senior discounts. Regular annual passes are $80. NPS Entrance Passes

Things to Do!

Sandy Springs Eco-Steward Program

The City of Sandy Springs Environmental Stewardship Program designed for local residents eager to engage deeply with our many greenspaces and distinctive urban forest.

Monthly beginning in February. Registration Required

Historic Paper Mill Walk at Sope Creek

Join National Park Service Ranger Jerry Hightower for a walk through time, through a mature oak-hickory forest down the ridge to the scenic beauty of Sope Creek. Cross over the bridge and into the nineteenth century to discover the stories behind the massive stone ruins of the once bustling Marietta Paper Manufacturing Company. Sope Creek is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, located in East Cobb. Saturday, February 24, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Registration Required

Blood Rock Ridge Loop Trail Hike

Join National Park Service Ranger Jerry Hightower for a fairly leisurely hike along the river, across scenic Rottenwood Creek, and through the forest around Blood Rock Ridge.

At the Paces Mill Unit Paces Mill Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta. Sunday, February 25, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Registration Required

Yoga with Marianne

Learn simple steps to help ease stress and muscle tension. Participants must bring their own yoga mat. At the Sandy Springs Library. Saturday, February 24, 10:30am–11:30am.

Registration is not required.

Pollinator Garden Work Day at Island Ford

Be a part of a small volunteer group to rejuvenate the area in front of the Visitor Center into a pollinator garden with Birds Georgia. March 11, 9 AM - 12 PM

Registration Required

Thank You Supporters!

SSC would like to thank all of the supporters who made generous donations to SSC in 2023! Your support makes it possible for the Conservancy to continue to work toward our mission to make Sandy Springs a greener place for everyone to enjoy!

The Sandy Springs Conservancy mission is to create, conserve, and connect, parks, trails, and greenspace in our community. The Conservancy identifies opportunities, brings together stakeholders, builds partnerships, and provides funding to jump-start park, trail and greenspace projects throughout the city. Your support allows SSC to continue to this mission for the benefit of residents and visitors now and in the future!

Join us Online!

www.sandyspringsconservancy.org