Leita Thompson Morning Hike

Convenient to Woodstock, Roswell and Marietta, the trails at Leita Thompson Memorial Garden are some of my favorites.  There are 3 trails. The yellow one is 1.12 miles.  The blue one is 2 miles. The red one is 2.25 miles.  The red and blue trails offer a .25 mile extension around the lake. I will put all of them together, make a loop and backtrack (sort of a small lollipop) so we will just eek out 4.5 miles. The trails are non-technical, soft, fine gravel paths that make a very comfortable hiking or running surface.  However, from these short steep undulations through the woods you will receive a somewhat challenging workout, especially as we maintain a moderate pace.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on this hike and should stay in the back of our group.  On the form there is a place to indicate if you will be bringing your dog.  Be prepared to pick up any messes your dog creates.

There is one Porta-Potty in parking area.

Short history of the park: Leita Thompson, called “Miss Leita,” (1884-1978) had a strong appreciation for hard work, independence and women. At 16 years old, she joined the National Woman’s Party which later helped pass the woman suffrage amendment in 1920. She worked in banking and advanced to become one of the first female banking executives in the country. She advised women on retirement and provided disability assistance. She founded the Leitalift Foundation in 1956 to help support workingwomen make a living and achieve their goals. The foundation also provided social and professional recognition for outstanding women. For many years Leita Thompson, a hard working single woman herself, personally and through the Leitalift Foundation, made it possible for working women to enjoy a fuller life by providing housing on her property. Since the foundation's creation, at least 156 students, nurses, retirees and professional women received grants, support and recognition in the community.

Leita Thompson purchased the property in 1946 and made it her home until her death in 1978.  At that time her property, 107 acres, was left to the Leitalift Foundation. Later in 2001, the Leitalift Foundation donated it, more than 100 acres of prime, undeveloped land to the city of Roswell. The 2001 gift was then worth $20 million.

Today this land on Crossville Road consists of a dog park, pavilion, garden and miles of wooded trails in her name. The Arts Center West is now run by Roswell Visual Arts, a division of Roswell Recreation and Parks Department.

From Atlanta take GA-400 N to exit 7B W/Holcomb Bridge Rd in Roswell. Continue west on Holcomb Bridge Rd for 5.7 miles. Leita Thompson Memorial Garden is on the right side of the road. On your right you will pass Chick-fil-a, pass Mountain Park Rd, pass the dog park and pass Art Center West.  Take the next right where the sign that says "Leita Thompson Memorial Garden" and continue to the parking lot in back.

There is an overflow parking lot if not enough parking is available behind the pavillion.  As you head back toward Hwy 92/Woodstock Hwy, see the signs on your left that read "Overflow Parking" and "One Way." Enter this gravel road, park and back track down to the parking lot.

There is no fee to park.

We will meet in the parking lot behind the pavillion.