6.5 Miles in 4 Decatur Parks

There are 4 parks that are close to each other in Decatur - Mason Mill, Medlock, Ira B. Melton and Clyde Shepherd. I've taken AOCers to 2 of these parks as part of my "after-work" hikes with the promise of taking them further into the Decatur woods. Well, today is the day I keep my promise.

Mason Mill Rec Center and Medlock Park
These 2 parks are connected to each other via the South Peachtree Creek Trail. The trail is all pavement and boardwalk and easy to traverse. It's also scenic with pretty homes on either side that you can see through the woods. (One of the homes here belongs to the founder of The Dekalb Farmer's Market.)

Ira B. Melton Park
This park is located between Mason Mill and Medlock. To get to it, we'll cross the creek. Unlike the other 2 parks with their playgrounds and bathrooms, this park is all woods with dirt paths that wind throughout the park. Be sure to wear your hiking boots (preferably waterproof) and poles if you're not sure-footed for crossing the creek.

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
This nature preserve is located in the Medlock neighborhood. To get to it, we'll walk on the road about 1/2 mile from Medlock Park. AOC events have been posted here in the past for bird-watching, but at this time of the year, we probably won't see too many birds. It's still a pretty little hike with wooden paths and a bamboo forest. 

About our hike
The terrain we'll be walking on will be a mix of pavement, boardwalk, creeks, and dirt. It's mostly flat, but there are some small hilly spots and even some holey spots (on the boardwalk). The distance we'll cover will be about 6.5 miles.

We'll start our hike at Mason Mill. We'll meet in front of the restroom by the playground (click icon above or see directions below). Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and to introduce ourselves.

Beginner's are welcome. Small to medium-sized dogs are welcome. I'm limiting it to 3 dogs for this hike, so please also register them when you register yourself.

The address for Mason Mill is 

1340 McConnell Dr., Decatur, GA 30033

Driving Directions:

1. From the I-85 "Clairmont Road" Exit (Exit #91) in NE Atlanta, take Clairmont Rd southward   ( toward Decatur)   about 2.3 miles to the  traffic light at McConnell Drive.   (This is the next light south of the big Clairmont/ North Druid Hills intersection.  If you reach the huge VA Hospital, you've gone a couple of blocks too far!)

2. Turn Left onto Mc Connell Drive, go just 0.1 mile, and turn Right at the stop sign to stay on McConnell.  (Note the small "Mason Mill" directional sign here.)

3. Then turn Left almost immediately at the  "Mason Mill Park"  entrance sign into the large free parking lot.  We'll  gather by the stone Restroom building  near that main entrance adjoining the children's playground.