North Georgia Family Fun

JJ Biello Park - "The Valley"

Trails
There are no trails here.

Playground
This playground is HUGE.  It is one of the largest in all of Georgia. It is so cool. Rock climbing walls, interconnected play areas...it is incredible.  The only problem - no shade except for the picnic pavilions.

Pictures

Swift-Cantrell Park

Trails
Outer trail is 1 mile; inner trail is 1/2 mile
Paved and perfect for a stroller
SUN SUN SUN - there is just no shade at this park. (Why do they level those trees?)

Playground
Really nice playgrounds. The one for the younger kids is fenced.  But, again, there is no shade.
There are covered picnic pavilions for some respite.
The restrooms are very close (as is parking) and they are nice and clean.

Other
There is a skate half-pipe and quarter-pipe (combined), and an off-leash area for dogs. One for small dogs and one for other dogs.
There is a lot of green grass for hanging out.  There were people sunbathing when we were there.

Sorry, no pictures.  Going there was unplanned and I was without a camera. Click here for pictures taken by someone else.

Wildcat Creek Trail

Trails
1.5 mile hike
After 40 minutes into the hike I had to stop. It became too intense a hike with my son on my back. This is definitely not a stroller-friendly hike.
The first part of the trail is very sunny. After the sharp turn and the natural "stairs" it turns into shade.
The water sound is very calming.  The creek is lined with rhododendron and will be pretty when in bloom.
The creek is a great place for small and big kids to play in.

I will probably not do this hike alone, again.  It is too difficult a hike (at least in today's heat) to do with my son.  Maybe soon I can get my husband to go so that we can take turns carrying him in the ergo carrier. 

Pictures

Additional Information

From Dawson County Website

Access to this network of connected trails is normally off Steve Tate Road in the northeastern part of the county. To reach Wildcat Creek Trail, take Steve Tate north until you are just past Pleasant Union Baptist Church. At that point, take a left onto Wildcat Campground Road, a well maintained gravel road that descends into the valley for about a mile. Keep an eye on the right for scenic views of the Amicalola River far below in a rocky gorge. The road dead ends as it flattens out in the river bottom and an information kiosk with trail information on the left as you enter the campground area will provide details on the three area trails. Wildcat Creek Trail is about 1.5 miles long and begins just upstream of the campground area. A small footbridge across the Amicalola provides access, and the trail follows Wildcat Creek along its length. Mountain laurels, azaleas, rhododendrons and other flowering mountain species dot the ridgelines as the trail follows a gentle course through the mostly flat valley. Some uphill sections and trail obstructions, including logs and rocks, and an easy ford across Wildcat Creek, are easily negotiated even by children. However, Wildcat Creek Trail still provides a solitary, backcountry hiking experience within an hour of a major metropolitan area. Hikers can finish the hike and return by the same trail, or join up with Fall Creek Trail. Falls Creek Trail is a more challenging hike, with significant elevation gain and more rugged conditions than Wildcat Creek. Turner Trail is part of an old homestead tract known as the Turner Estate, and provides access to the upper Wildcat Creek area over almost two miles of improved trail following an old road bed. To reach Turner Trail, go past the Wildcat Campground Road on Steve Tate Road to the trailhead at Turner Bridge where it crosses the Amicalola. Turner Trail ends up on Wildcat Creek, not far from the upper end of the Wildcat trail. This trail section also connects to Rocky Ford Trail as well as other unnamed trails in the area. Windy Ridge Trail begins at mile 1 on the Turner Trail and is a fairly strenuous hike to the summit of a 2,500 foot mountain ridge, and connects back to the Eastern Wildcat trail system by either the Rocky Ford Trail or the Wildcat trail. 

Roswell Riverwalk

Trails
An old website indicates this is 5 miles each way (10 miles total) from Don White to Willeo. I think it is 3.5 miles each way (7 miles) from end to end.
Regardless, it took us exactly 2 hours to walk from Azalea Park (the first parking lot at the .75 mile marker) to the "End" marker, and back. 
All paved or packed gravel perfect for the stroller
Sun and shade along the trail

Playground
There are several playgrounds along the way in the first 1-2 miles.

Pictures

 

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Trails
6 trails each about 1/25 mile long
River Boardwalk, Kingfischer and Homestead can be done with a stroller
Forest, Beaver Pond and Stone Cabin required the ergo carrier
Mostly shaded

Playground
No playground equipment

Other
See turtles in the lake, a beaver, raptor cages, a butterfly garden, picnic area and nature store
$5 entrance fee; free to members
Great calendar of events for kids and children
New Discovery Center coming soon
No Dogs

Website

Pictures

Allatoona Pass

Georgia Trails has a great summary of this trail.

Trails
3.4 miles in and out
The first part of the trail is pretty rigged (for a mom with a baby) and requires a carrier.
It is through the woods, along the lake edge; lots of shade.
Very secluded - come prepared with mace, etc
Once you get into the pass, the path is very flat and stroller friendly.  If you want, you can get to the pass from the parking lot, avoiding the woods, and just use a stroller. Not sure how long that path is.

Playground
There is no playground equipment
Kids can splash in the water in some areas

Other
Dogs are allowed - there were lots of people with dogs
This is a great historic area so be sure to print out the Georgia Trails summary (see above)

Pictures
(sorry these are blurry, but at least you get the idea)