Intrenchment Creek Park--First AOC Visit!!

Come join the first ever AOC hike in Intrenchment Creek Park, a relatively new and undeveloped park in southeast DeKalb County.  We will ramble around the flat trails of the former Atlanta Honor Farm, a minimum security facility, still owned by the City of Atlanta.

We will wind our way around the area, getting in about 5 miles as we see the sights.

Beginners welcome who are comfortable walking for 2 hours, and exploring.  The trails are well worn, no rocks, and unmarked.  Creek crossing is on stepping stones, no bridge, and easy to hop across.

The park was created "in perpetuity" by the Blank Foundation and given to DeKalb County.  It has a pine plantation, riparian woods, and an RC airplane airport. Across the creek you might see ruins of the old prison farm, two ponds, old orchards, a police training grounds, and some stone edifices from the Carnegie Library which was torn down decades ago. More pictures HERE.

NOTE:  You can also pick up 6 miles of the PATH system South River Trail at this parking lot. It takes you through the woods all the way to GA State University Perimeter campus via the Michelle Obama Trail.  Almost no one is on this trail, which may someday connect to the Beltline and Panola Mountain Trail system. 

ICP trail Map aerial photo

Old Atlanta Prison Farm Map  (aerial photo, trails not complete)

South River Intrenchment Creek Park Trailhead

From the North and West, 

Take I-20 E to Flat Shoals Rd in DeKalb County. Take exit 62 from I-20 E
11 min (9.5 mi)

LEFT on Flat Shoals over I-20

RIGHT immediately on Fayetteville Road.  Follow 0.8 miles to next light

STRAIGHT through intersection and the road becomes Bouldercrest.

Take Bouldercrest Dr SE    2.1 Miles

When Bouldercrest bends to left, go STRAIGHT onto West Side Pl  

ENTRANCE on RIGHT

FROM the East and South:

Follow I-285 to Bouldercrest Rd. Take exit 51 from I-285 

Turn North, and Follow Bouldercrest Rd and Constitution Rd SE to West Side Pl
3 min (1.0 mi)

Pass by Hardee's (on the right in 0.2 mi)    0.5 mi

Continue STRAIGHT onto Constitution Rd SE    0.4 mi

Turn RIGHT onto West Side Pl  

ENTRANCE WILL BE ON LEFT

The park is the only hiking area in South Atlanta between Sweetwater Creek SP and Panola Mountain, and it is already threatened by a land swap that county commissioners are leaning toward approving.  A growing movie studio across the street was offered expansion land by a county planner, and you may wonder if this is appropriate. Is it worth it to sprawl into a last green space because a studio won't expand on existing developed land?  A short video describes the park and the struggle.

In the long run, the Park may grow into the old honor farm and a few dedicated citizens are hoping to save it.  Further, it is part of an extended vision of green space that might include Constitution Lakes and the Dolls Head trail, among other loosely protected plots.  More voices and hands needed for this important green space.  The South River Watershed Alliance is stewarding this vision.