Dearborn Park (Decatur)

Dearborn Park is located at 1310 Deerwood Drive, Decatur GA 30030. It is located in the Midway Woods neighborhood.

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Overview: A true shady escape – Dearborn Park is just this. It is a dark, shady, quiet park with a babbling creek running through it. Imagine pushing your child on a swing with a view of lush green foliage and a picturesque creek in your direct view…that is Dearborn Park. One of the main draws to us to this park is the quiet and of course, the water. There are a few boardwalk bridges that overlook it as well.

This simple park features a small but functional playground. It has 3 slides, one small set of monkey bars and a few ladders. It is pretty basic. There is a set of 2 infant swings and 2 belt swings closer to the creek. There are a few pieces of outdoor exercise equipment, a basketball court and the creek. The creek is a little slippery in places (especially the rocks) so please be careful!

Parking: Street

Surrounding Area: Residential

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible:  For the most part, no. Swings definitely not.

Ground Cover: Wood chips

Seating: Park benches and picnic tables which are scattered around the park

Pavilion: Yes with a small grill

Restroom: No

Direct Sun or Shade : Very shady

Fenced in? :  No

Infant Swings: Yes, 2

Quality of Playground Equipment:  Good but small

Ball Fields: Yes, a basketball court which is super shady.

Overall:  We like this park because of the shade, the closeness to nature and of course, the natural water. When we visited we saw other children fishing for small fish and listening to bull frogs. There are a few picnic tables tucked into lush forest areas so it’d be a perfect spot for a quiet, private meal. There are paved and unpaved areas – great for walking dogs or the adventurous toddler. It’s a beautiful area.

Glenlake Park (Decatur)

Glenlake Park is located at 1121 Church Street, Decatur GA 30030. When you first enter, the pool and tennis courts will be on the left. If you follow the path on the left, it will lead to the playground and the rest of the park.

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Overview:  Glenlake Park is located not far from the heart of Decatur. It is within close walking distance of the Decatur Cemetery, which is a beautiful and popular walking area. When you first enter Glenlake Park you notice the pool on your left which features a lot of covered areas from the sun. Next you’ll notice the tennis courts. You can find a restroom in the pool/tennis court area. If you follow the path and go over the bridge, it’ll lead into the playground and park area. Highlights of this park include – a little library, adult exercise equipment, basketball courts, a nice covered pavilion with grills, and a wonderful playground.

The playground equipment for children 2-5 features slides, climbing areas, music instruments and tubes to climb through. There are infant swings as well as belt swings. There is also a school bus for pretend play with seats, bells, and wheels.

The play equipment for children 5 and up features slides, a climbing wall, monkey bars and other climbing areas, and spinning cups and stands. We visited this park on a weekend morning and it was very crowded. Lots of younger children on the older children’s equipment.

The Glenlake Pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Parking: Dedicated lot

Surrounding Area: Residential, city

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes

Ground Cover: Wood chips

Seating: Park benches and picnic tables

Pavilion: Yes

Restroom: Yes, near tennis courts

Direct Sun or Shade : Somewhat shady

Fenced in? :  No

Infant Swings: Yes, 2

Quality of Playground Equipment:  Good

Ball Fields: Yes – soccer, tennis, basketball, etc.

Overall:  First impressions of this park were great. There were lots of nice families, grass looked very green and plush, and there seemed to be something for everyone. The playground equipment was in good condition and the park was bustling with people. My son had fun at first but got distracted when he saw a family playing with a basketball on the court. A tantrum ensued and we left but for the most part, we liked this park a lot and will be returning.

South Peachtree Creek Trail – PATH

The South Peachtree Creek Trail is a PATH trail. It runs between Mason Mill Park and Medlock Park. From Mason Mill Park, it can be accessed at the opposite end of the park of the playgrounds near the tennis courts. From Medlock Park, it can be accessed from the parking lot near the playground and baseball fields.

The South Peachtree Creek Trail features a paved walkway in certain areas and a boardwalk in others. It has a series of hills. There are a few bridges with the creek flowing below.  There are many access points where you can walk off trail. There are many areas to sit down and rest or enjoy nature including alcoves in the boardwalk with views over the creek. It is very well maintained.

There is a bridge where you can watch trains travel below you:

There is some interesting graffiti in the “Ruins” area.

Things to Note:  This trail can be very busy with people walking, pushing strollers, riding bikes, etc.  There is a part of this trail that intersects with a street. Please use caution when crossing with small children.  For the most part, the trail is shady but there are some areas that are in direct sunlight.

Overall: This is my son’s favorite place to go for a run. The boardwalk is a safe place for him to run free and enjoy nature but you need to be mindful of bikes.

Mason Mill Park (Decatur)

The approximate location of Mason Mill Park is 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur GA 30033. It is located within close walking proximity to the library.

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Overview:  Yup, the playground has a pirate ship here and 3 story slides. It could be why this is one of the more popular playgrounds in the area. We have been to this park on numerous occasions at different times of the day and it is always bustling with people. This park really has everything a child is looking for – with the exception of shade.

Mason Mill Park is a highly popular park in the Druid Hills area of Decatur. It is located within walking distance to a library. The park features a large playground with equipment for children aged 2-5 and equipment for children 5 and up. There are two separate swing areas – one featuring infant swings. There are a few covered pavilions in the area (the largest pavilions have grills), a restroom, water fountains, many tennis courts, a garden area, and a large open grassy area.

The playground equipment for children 2-5 features slides, climbing areas, spinning blocks and spiral ladder. It resembles a rain forest in it’s design.

The play equipment for children 5 and up features a playground that resembles a pirate ship with windows, a wheel and masts. There are two 3-story spiral slides, many smaller slides, many spinning blocks featuring X & O’s, dinosaurs and ABCs. There is a rock climbing wall and other climbing structures. This is a favorite playground for my son.

Parking: Dedicated lot

Surrounding Area: Library, offices, and residential

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes, with many ramps

Ground Cover:  Packed Mulch

Seating: Park benches, picnic tables and a small wall that many parents sit on

Pavilion: Yes

Restroom: Yes, in playground area

Direct Sun or Shade : Direct Sun

Fenced in? :  No, and close to the parking lot. Watch your toddlers who like to run!

Infant Swings: Yes, 2. There is very high baby traffic in this area usually.

Quality of Playground Equipment: Very good

Ball Fields: No, but there are many tennis courts

Overall:  This park is a very popular park in the area and it is usually bustling with children and their caregivers. It is easy to strike up a conversation with other parents here. The play equipment is new and in the older children’s area, very exciting. The access to restrooms is great for children but the proximity to the high traffic parking lot is a danger. This park is connected via a PATH trail to Medlock Park. You can read more about that park here. The park is very lacking in shade. Bring sunscreen for little ones.

 

Medlock Park (Decatur)

The approximate location of Medlock Park is 874 Galemont Circle, Decatur GA 30033. This entrance is best for some of the ball fields and the pool. We use the entrance on Scott Circle for the larger parking lot near the playground and access to the PATH trail.

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Overview:  Medlock Park is a definitely a park for baseball and softball – it features many well lit, fenced in fields that take up a vast majority of this park. The fields are well taken care of and the grounds are quite shady.  There are picnic tables scattered around the park, two large parking areas, a pool and a PATH trail connection to the Mason Mill Park. You can find more information on the PATH South Peachtree Creek trail here.

The playground is a little on the older side with a large focus on slides.  There is play equipment for younger children (basically just slides) and play equipment for older children with more slides, a bouncy bridge and some fireman style poles. There is a tire swing, a set of traditional belt swings and 2 infant swings.

Please note that when it rains a lot here, this area floods. After a rainstorm, this area remains muddy for a few days also.

The Medlock Pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. More information and photos will be available after the pool opens.

Parking: Dedicated lot

Surrounding Area: Residential

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes, with many ramps

Ground Cover: Wood Chips (newly added a few months ago)

Seating: Park benches, picnic tables and a small wall that many parents sit on

Pavilion: Yes

Restroom: Yes, near the baseball fields

Direct Sun or Shade : In the playground area, it is direct sun.

Fenced in? :  No, and close to the parking lot.

Infant Swings: Yes, 2

Quality of Playground Equipment: Older but safe.

Ball Fields: Yes, many.

Overall: This park is great for those playing baseball or those looking for a slower style playground as it isn’t very crowded. My son is a runner and he loves to run along the many ramps that form a large triangle. We often walk the PATH trail to this park, play and then walk the PATH trail back to our car. The playground is pretty basic without many bells and whistles. The picnic areas are shaded and in very lush grass.

McKoy Park (Decatur)

McKoy Park is located at 534 McKoy Street, Decatur, GA 30030.  There is an entrance on McKoy Street with a parking lot that has direct access to the pool and the baseball field. There is also an entrance on Adams Street on the dead end with closer access to the playground and pavilion.

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Overview:

There is playground equipment for younger children (2-5) as well as older children (5+) featuring small and large slides, music instruments like drums, monkey bars and many climbing/balance beams and activities. There are two infant swings, two belt swings and two accessible swings.  This park also features water fountains, restrooms and tall trees which provide ample shade.

The baseball field is fenced in, lighted and features a concession stand. This park also features an outdoor seating area for classes or impromptu meetings. This area is located near the skate park and basketball court.

McKoy Pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is open as early as 9am. There are season passes available for non-Decatur residents. There are picnic tables surrounding the pool area and a very nice shallow end for younger or less experienced swimmers. More information and photos available after the pool season starts.

There is a skate park at McKoy Park which features many ramps, rails and drop-in areas. There is usually a few people skating during the day and it’s much more full on weekends. There is a pergola area near the playground where spectators can watch the skateboarders.

 

According to the City of Decatur website, the park will be undergoing renovations during the second half of 2016. An update after the renovation will follow.

Parking: Dedicated lot

Surrounding Area: Residential, with a school nearby

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes, with a ramp into playground

Ground Cover: Wood Chips

Seating: Park benches, picnic tables and a small wall that many parents sit on in the playground area

Pavilion: Yes, with 2 grills.

Restroom: Yes

Direct Sun or Shade : Reasonably shady depending on time of day. Lots of tall, old trees nearby. Infant swings can be in sun.

Fenced in? :  No

Infant Swings: Yes, 2

Quality of Playground Equipment: Ok

Ball Fields: Yes. There is a baseball field with concession stand and a basketball court (that needs a little TLC)

Overall: We visited on a spring morning and there were a few nannies with their charges which were younger than 5. The skatepark had a few visitors and it was generally quiet. My son had a lot of fun exploring all this park had to offer – especially watching the skateboarders. I am happy that the City of Decatur chose this park for a renovation as the playground equipment looked in need of a refresh. We will definitely be returning.