A great place to unwind! Beautiful lake & trails! Please mark trails & have a map of the area!read more

Sterling Creek Park (SCP) is tucked away in the very back of a neighborhood called Sterling Creek…read morePlantation in Richmond Hill. You'll see signs to the park from Harris Trail Road when you turn in to the neighborhood. Keep going straight through the neighborhood until you get to the entrance to the park. SCP is the most unusual park that I have come across in this area, reason being that it shares space with the Police training grounds and gun range, as well as an active water treatment plant. See what I mean? That being said, I'll take trails and green space anywhere I can get it! - Background Info - There isn't too much info on this park online, but from what I could find, it seems that the city of Richmond Hill purchased this property back in 2012 with the intention of converting it into a park and the plan is to include running trails, nature trails, mountain bike paths, a fishing pond, restrooms, parking and camping. The property is about 187 acres of forests, wetlands, ponds, and grassland habitats. The most recent article I found was dated January of this year (2019) and it looks like they celebrated the opening of Phase 2 with a Relay Race. - Parking - Once you drive past the park entrance, just go straight until you get to a white-ish building. It looks like it's had better days and definitely does not look brand new. This building also has the restrooms (we didn't use them, so I don't know for sure, but the male/female signs are outside the doors) and the big space around it that seems to be the parking. - What we did - The Little One and I set out for a quick adventure, as we had to get back for her sister's event at school. We parked the car by the restrooms and behind it, you will see a large sign (the map of the park) and a trash can in the distance, by the woods, and that is where the beginning of the trail is. Now, keep in mind, don't go in the woods just yet right there, just walk alongside the fence of the water treatment plant, to the right. You will come to a dead end and there will be a well worn path into the woods which will be the only part in the forest). The path in the woods isn't very long and the day we went, it must have rained heavily there because part of the road was super muddy and there were tons of truck tracks. Once you get out of the woods and into the clearing, there is another well worn path/road that runs along the fence again of the water treatment plant. Walk down and keep walking down and don't lost hope, because you will finally get to the wetlands and ponds area. This area has more signs. I think we did parts of the yellow line and parts of the blue line (refer to pic). There is also a Youtube video that gives you a quick aerial view of the park to give you a general idea of what it is like. - My thoughts - The park is secluded, especially it being inside a neighborhood. I don't even think many of the residents of RH know about it. We saw one person along the trail, but at the same time, it was the weekday also. I read the article of the Relay Race that they held by the lake, after we walked the trail, and looking at the photos and videos posted online, I am still confused as to which lake they were running around, because it does not look anything close to the lakes and ponds we saw. I am going back to explore more when we have more time. All in all, the area is a bit confusing and I think they just need more signs at the beginning of the trail almost all the way until you pass the fencing of the water treatment plant. The presence of the water treatment plant gives you this sense that you shouldn't be there. The lake and ponds areas were my favorite part and they are clearly marked in that area, probably because it's the newest phase. I will update this review once I find the lake in the article!

If u are like me and want to get back into shape. Be like me and take a short walk around the…read morewetland trails. Throw on some tunes and enjoy the beautiful nature scenery.

My husband wanted to work around the house, so I decided to pack up the kids and their bikes and…read moretake them out of the house so he can focus. I wanted that wall painted! JF Gregory Park (JFGP) seemed like the perfect place to enjoy the day and burn some energy. We met up with friends to play at the playground, went for lunch and then returned to hit the trail, the kids on bikes and me on foot. Named after J.F. Gregory, basically Henry Ford's right hand man for all of his operations in Richmond Hill, the 335-acre community park includes: 3 plus miles of walking and biking trails; a fenced in playground that is recognized by the Playful City USA program; 25,000 square feet covered pavilion (most of the food vendors set up here at The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival that occurs every year); picnic areas, The Veteran's Monument; Richmond Hill City Center; John W. Stevens Wetlands Education Center. Parking: There is a parking all over the park, but for the trail, we parked in the dirt lot before the trail head, near the Richmond Hill City Center. Trail Description: The trail is over 3 miles and is just one giant loop. When you get to the "Rice Cultivation on the Ogeechee River" historical marker, whether you go straight or left, you will find yourself back at the marker. If you go right of the marker over the bridge, this will lead you near the John W. Stevens Wetlands Education Center. I would say about half of it is paved, the other half a dirt gravel road, but well worn for bikes to get through (I would use mountain bikes or bikes with thicker tires and treads). There is a lookout deck, benches and trash cans along the way, as well as the exercise stations (VitaCourse 2000, similar to the ones seen at Tom Triplett Park in Pooler, see my review). Difficulty Level: Easy for all ages in terms of terrain, moderate in terms of length. What we did: We did the entire loop and also went right at the marker to explore that path which led us to the John W. Stevens Wetland Education Center so we walked around the front and then walked back to the car that way. JFGP is such a great spot in Richmond Hill to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you just want to sun bathe, spend time with kids, have a picnic, walk, run or bike the trail. There is something for everyone to do and most importantly, do it together.

Little One and I have been cooped up in the house because she has been sick, so I took her out to…read moreget some fresh air. The DeVaul Henderson Lake Loop (DHLL) seemed to be the best bet due to length of the trail. When you are on Hwy 144 and you get to the roundabout, turn in on Veterans Memorial Parkway, where the Bryan County Administrative Complex is. The trail is located right next to it. You can't miss it. Parking - You can pretty much park anywhere on the grass along Veterans Memorial Parkway. I like to park toward the other end, by the elementary school, where you see the 4 wooden posts. Trail Description - From the 4 wooden posts, down to the paved path, the ground is dirt and a mix of sand and pine needles, and not paved, but that distance is minimal. It is surround by tall trees. Once you get down to the paved part, the signs indicate that it's a 0.5 mile loop. This loop has 3 different connection points to other parts of DeVaul Henderson Recreation Park (to soccer fields and restrooms) and I believe to the side of the Bryan County Administrative Complex. The connection points are located on the opposite side of Veterans Memorial Parkway. There are park benches all around the lake, as well as flotation devices in case someone gets in and needs some saving. There was a unique bench (kind of like one of those stone benches you see in gardens) and it had a sign "The Murphy Bench" that was placed there in memory of an infant boy. How tragic, but so touching. Difficulty Level - Easy for all ages. It is stroller and wheelchair friendly too, but might experience some bumpiness when going down that first small stretch to the paved path. Beware - There are signs that say "Beware of Wildlife". I am assuming they mean alligators, because that is what they always seem to warn you about around these parts, but we did not personally see any. But do we ever really see them when they are around? Unless they decide to come out of the water. However, we did see a lot of ducks swimming in the lake, as well as a beautiful white one just sitting on the side in the grass. This is a great place to run, walk, speed walk, scoot (my Little One took her scooter) and I saw some people fishing too. It's a great pit stop if you happen to be in the area. You can fill up on gas at the Shell Station and stretch those legs before you go on the next leg of your trip. Get outside, People!

This lake loop is 1/2 mile. The path is paved and stroller friendly. It also connects to other…read morepaved pathways leading past the soccer fields, baseball fields, softball fields, dog park and finally into the Green Creek trails. There are restrooms available.

Near some botanical gardens, this separate tract of land was not particularly happening when I…read morebriefly dropped in, but it is free. A lake with a small bridge is the main attraction, with some areas around it to walk and a picnic enclosure. The highway is nearby and audible to some extent. There are some short trails, but signs caution against swimming in the water (which is true pretty much anywhere in the region given the robust reptile population).

It was a beautiful day last Friday and my youngest and I had been cooped up in the house most of…read morethe week, so for Adventure Friday, we decided to explore Chatham County Wetlands Preserve. This 494-acre wetland preserve and park is another piece of property purchased by Chatham County. They created a 20-acre lake and have planted more than 20,000 trees. This park is tucked away on Highway 17, on Chief of Love Road. Parking - When you turn off on Hwy 17, you just have to continue driving until you get to a fork in the road. I stayed to the left and then we found ourselves in a huge gravel lot where it seemed the most appropriate to park the car. Trail Description - Once I parked the car, we walked to the fork where I could see the barrier and hiking sign (I saw it on the drive in). We started there and kept to the left. It started out as a pretty well marked path, under the trees. Once you get out of the shaded part, it's just grassy. It will bring you around the lake, and it's wide open, so there is no way you would get lost. We opted to take a shortcut and cut through on the bridge. There was a man there fishing. He said some days the fish bite like crazy and other says, nothing, so just a tip to anyone who likes to go fishing. There are picnic tables and a covered picnic area in the middle by the bridge that are great spots for meal and snack breaks. There were beautiful flowers along the way and also a patch of what I think are called Cypress Trees at one end of the lake. They are pretty much dead, but I thought they were pretty to look at the cluster of them. The reflection of the trees on the sunny day was just perfect. My Fitbit clocked the portion we did as about 1 mile. Kid-Friendly - Absolutely! Very flat trail, however not paved. Unless you have a B.O.B or a jogging stroller with bike-like tires, I would just use a baby carrier. Thankful that Chatham County is very nature focused and is committed to providing green space in the area for its residents. There seemed to be another trail by the park sign, so we will have to come back to explore that portion!

It's a short .7-mile trail, perfect for a stroll or bike ride. It's always clean and never crowded…read more Close to the soccer and baseball fields. It is within walking distance from McAllister Elementary School and the Buckhead East neighborhood.

This is a great walking trail found in Richmond Hill along Hwy 144. It's just before you get to…read moreFire Station 1 on the same side of the road. The trail is about 0.7 miles one way and paved all the way, great for all levels. The speed limit is 55 miles/hr on that portion of the road so be careful when you slow down to turn into the parking lot because I don't think many people even know there is a trail here unless you live in the area. People probably will not expect you to turn off randomly into a dirt lot. There are actually 3 points of entry on this trail. First one as mentioned above off Hwy 144, the second at Fort McAllister Road (which is the other end of the trail) and the third being behind the baseball field and Bark Park in DeVaul Henderson Recreation Park. The trail is nice and shaded. You will be walking alongside the "Green Creek" where the water has this disgusting, yet beautiful bright green moss that coats the surface of the water, hence the name I am assuming. There are a few benches spaced out along the trail for snack and rest breaks. Shortly after you start the trail, you will arrive at a small bridge which is the access point to DeVaul Henderson. Parking - Access to Hwy 144 is the only point of entry with a small lot. The entry point on Fort McAllister seems more like a large spot off the side of the road and if you go through DeVaul, nearest parking is by the new playground, so you'll have to walk a little bit to get to the bridge. Great little trail to get some fresh air and a place where littles can burn some energy. Currently, tot is passed out for a nap. Win!

What a beautiful place to camp in the Spring. Clean, spacious, and has a couple nice hiking trails.read more

If you love history with a side of gorgeous scenery, Fort McAllister State Park is absolutely worth…read morethe stop. Fort McAllister is a Confederate earthen fort built along the Ogeechee River to protect Savannah during the Civil War. It's famous for for withstanding multiple Union naval attacks before ultimately falling during a land ambush in December 1864. By capturing the fort, Union forces had a clear path to the city of Savannah and kick-started Sherman's infamous March to the Sea. Today the park contains a visitors center, a small (but jampacked museum), campgrounds, the historical fort site, and more. The museum may be small, but it's packed with in-depth exhibits. You'll easily pass at least an hour here if you really take your time to read through everything. I especially loved the unexpected Henry Ford connection to the fort. Walking the grounds of the fort was the real highlight though. Fort McAllister is one of the best-preserved earthen forts from the Civil War, and you can explore the ramparts, cannons, and earthworks. Whether you're a casual visitor or a die-hard history buff, this park delivers a great walk in history's footsteps. Highly recommend carving out a few hours here!

Ok parking can be a bit hard, only negative…read more I love this place. The Spanish moss, vendors, soft southern grass, atmosphere, this place is what a city park should be. 5 star must see

Forsyth Park is a great open public space and offers so much!…read more There are basketball and tennis courts, a splash fountain, a wonderful enclosed playground, fields, ample amount of sidewalks, Fragrance Garden, and of course the beautiful fountain. You can often find people sunbathing on the lawns, playing frisbee or volleyball, taking a stroll, running through the park, or just simply sitting on one of the many benches enjoying the scenery. Most Saturdays you can find local vendors selling items or the Forsyth Farmers Market. A great place to source locally grown food such as veggies, meats, honey, mushrooms, pasta, breads, and so much more. There is a restaurant at the center, Collins Quarter. They have great patio seating and a great brunch spot. I would recommend getting a reservation. Other great spots are within walking distance such as The Sentient Bean for a coffee.

Best dog park around. It's definitely a hike to get to if you're not in the RH area but totally…read moreworth it! The grounds are very well kept and there's a clean protected pond for the dogs to swim in. If you don't want to toss the pups in the car a muddy mess, hit up the free dog washing station on your way out. Bring your own shampoo if you'd like.

This park is a bit of a drive from Pooler, but it's well worth it. The park is huge and clean -…read morewhich is a big difference from Daffin dog park. Plenty of parking and there's even a walking trail for runs and family time. I love the area for dogs to play on the outdoor gym. Really cute to see mine explore. There was an area to wash dogs, which is so helpful! Last time I went it wasn't working. Don't be like me, Make sure you check if it works BEFORE your dog gets in the pond. Great space and a cool bunch of people I've met going there too

Cute for a neighborhood park. It's basically a small walking path around a small man made pond with…read moreducks, geese and otters (yes I've seen outters) There's a small play ground for kids and a large grassy area for playing ball and a small fishing dock. No bathrooms!! So if you don't live close by like I do then you better hold it or become a Girl Scout and pee in the woods. Lol.

Outstanding park... gorgeous scenery and wonderful biking and hiking trails! Playgrounds and BBQ…read morearea!

This was my first time here and I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to the boat ramp…read morefacilities, there are also several covered picnic pavilions, numerous picnic tables, restroom facilities, a playground and a fishing pier. Everything appears to be well maintained and there were numerous family's and organizations utilizing the facilities. The view of the water is great from any vantage point. A great place to hang out a relax.

Not a safe place to explore with kids we assumed there would be a sandy area for kids to play but…read moreonly marshy near water and mucky water with garbage can't walk along the water like we wanted to would recommend just to go to the beach felt we wasted a day getting here