Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) Vickery Creek Unit
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Located in Southwest Atlanta near the Boulder Park neighborhood, Herbert Greene Nature Preserve is a serene 56-acre natural oasis offering a rich escape from the surrounding urban environment. Anchored along the banks of Utoy Creek, this hidden gem features a blend of rocky ridges, mature woodlands, and peaceful floodplain areas. With its ecological diversity and scenic beauty, the preserve is a recognized site in the Old-Growth Forest Network—celebrated for its intact forest canopy, native flora, and abundant wildlife such as river otters, deer, wood ducks, and kingfishers.
Visitors to Herbert Greene Nature Preserve can explore approximately one mile of soft-surface trails that wind through lush forest, ancient boulder outcrops, and creekside views. The terrain is mostly flat and accessible for casual walkers and nature lovers alike. Sandbars along Utoy Creek provide opportunities for quiet observation or reflection, while towering sycamores and river birch trees offer ample shade. Though lightly developed, the park provides a peaceful atmosphere ideal for nature photography, birdwatching, and guided naturalist walks hosted periodically by community groups and environmental organizations.
The Herbert Greene Nature Preserve is named in honor of Dr. Herbert Greene, a respected Atlanta educator and community advocate who championed environmental stewardship and local greenspace. In 2020, the Chattahoochee RiverLands Greenway Study proposed a tributary trail along Utoy Creek that would link the mainstem Chattahoochee Greenway to both Herbert Greene Nature Preserve and nearby Utoy Boulder Park—positioning the preserve as a key destination within a broader vision for connected, accessible urban nature. Its designation as part of the Old-Growth Forest Network further emphasizes its ecological importance and the need to preserve mature forest habitats within Atlanta’s evolving green infrastructure.
Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation