Park Yourself in Roswell

Many of our residents and even visitors from neighboring communities know and love Roswell for its award-winning recreation, parks, historic and cultural affairs offerings. Roswell’s recreation and parks system currently oversees over 1,000 acres of parkland, which include an abundance of nature-based activities, trail systems, river access, sports fields + facilities, historic home tours and programming. But we’d like to take the time to highlight a few areas of our parks system that aren’t so much in the spotlight. In this blog, we’re featuring some of our favorite spots in Roswell’s recreational system that are perhaps a little less-known or offer amenities that might catch you by surprise.

Waller Park
250 Oak Street

One of our absolute favorites, Waller Park is tucked away toward the backend of Oak Street and easily accessible from our downtown area. However, blink and you might drive right by it. That’s because one of our favorite aspects of the park is its access to Hog Wallow Creek by stone stairs, leading to the beautiful creek that cascades over river rock and meanders through cool, dense forest. The trail continues over a wooden pedestrian bridge and links up to the CRNRA trail system past Oxbo Rd. Waller Park is the perfect spot to have a picnic and dip your toes in the water in a setting less-frequented by visitors.

East Roswell Park
9000 Fouts Road

OK, so East Roswell Park isn’t exactly lesser known. In fact, ERP is frequently visited, as it has a variety of sports fields, walking trails, tennis courts, a spray ground, a playground and a recreational center. We’re highlighting this park because it offers something that our other parks do not: disc golf. Featuring concrete tees, the course’s elevation is mostly hilly, with tighter foliage, and has a length of 5,848 ft – with six holes under 300 ft., 10 holes between 300-400 ft., and two holes over 400 ft. It’s described as mentally and visually intimidating, but fear not, low scores can be posted. Up for the challenge? For more info, check out roswelldiscgolf.org.

Sloan Street Park
75 Sloan Street

While Old Mill Park and our historic homes get most of the attention in this area, a gem that can’t be missed is Sloan Street Park. Sloan Street Park is significantly smaller in size than most of its brothers and sisters, but its location is what gives it its appeal. Surrounded by private residences, several that were original mill houses, and walking distance from “The Bricks,” which were originally living quarters for Roswell Manufacturing Company mill workers, the park is known for its playground and large field for open play. It’s also a short walk to Founders Cemetery, Old Mill Park, the mill ruins and Vickery Creek Falls.

For any of our visitors interested in additional context on Roswell’s mill worker history, the park also features a monument worth seeing. On July 7, 1864, General Sherman ordered everyone connected with the Roswell Mills to be charged with treason. Mill workers were rounded up on the square where they waited a day before being sent to the Georgia Military Institute in Marietta. There, they were housed with other women and children from other mills. From there, they were put on trains, bound for the north. Many of the women were put out just north of the Ohio River in Kentucky. Located within Sloan Street Park is a monument dedicated to the memory of the 400 women mill workers and children. Some of the women eventually returned to Roswell, but some of the women's fates remain an unsolved mystery.

Big Creek Park
1600 Old Alabama Road

Situated off of Old Alabama Rd. is Big Creek Park, a go-to for local mountain bikers. Available for riders of all skill levels, Big Creek Park offers 6.8 miles of cross-country (XC) trails, a Freeride Area (designed with gravity riders in mind and consisting of a number of progressive features designed to build confidence and expertise in more advanced trail skills), dirt jumps, pump tracks, and is the trailhead for the 7.2-mile Big Creek Greenway. Open from dawn to dusk, Big Creek Park is a City of Roswell park whose mountain biking trails are maintained by our friends at RAMBO (Roswell Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization). RAMBO, a volunteer group dedicated to developing mountain biking opportunities in Fulton and Forsyth counties, fosters positive relationships with community leaders and land managers and promotes outdoor recreation on sustainable trail systems built in an environmentally sound manner. RAMBO also produces Night Rides and the annual Big Creek Quick Six Enduro, open to hundreds of riders, spectators and vendors.

Mimosa Hall & Gardens
127 Bulloch Avenue

Did you know that the grounds of our historic homes are actually considered parkland and are accessible to the public free of charge? You’re probably familiar with Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Smith Plantation – three historic homes that make up Roswell’s “Southern Trilogy.” The newest addition to the lineup operates a bit differently, however. Mimosa Hall & Gardens is a nine-acre antebellum estate originally built in 1841 for John Dunwoody, a shareholder in the Roswell Manufacturing Company. And, while the grounds are open to the public for exploration, the home itself is available for private event functions only. The 6,308 square-foot home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Its downstairs is set up to host meetings, bridal + baby showers, receptions, corporate events and other types of celebrations and gatherings. Located on Bulloch Avenue, Mimosa Hall is also the oldest net zero home in the country, as its roof is made up of integrated solar panels. Contact our team to line up to a site visit if you’re interested in hosting a private event within Mimosa’s walls.