Westside Park

Park · Atlanta

Westside Park

Park · Atlanta

2

1660 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Westside Park by Getty
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null
Westside Park by null

Highlights

Spacious park with skyline views and paved trails  

Google Rating
4.7
(435)
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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1660 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 Get directions

beltline.org

Information

Static Map

1660 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 Get directions

beltline.org

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance
parking private lot
crowd family friendly

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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@cntraveler

17 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

"You might recognize this park from television show "The Walking Dead." The former Bellwood Quarry has been converted into this 280-acre park with beautiful skyline views. Westside Park is a thing of beauty for nature lovers and photographers alike. A sculptural gateway that resembles dinosaur ribs, designed by Portman Architects, leads you into the spacious park with two and a half miles of paved trails that loop around a reservoir. There's a playground for kids and plenty of green space for those who want to have a picnic or just sprawl out. Bring your sneakers, as it's hilly." - Lia Picard, Jennifer Bradley Franklin

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-atlanta
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@cntraveler

Westside Park

"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? You might recognize this park from television shows like "The Walking Dead." The former Bellwood Quarry has been converted into this 280-acre park with beautiful skyline views. Atlanta's Westside Park is a thing of beauty for nature lovers and photographers alike. A sculptural gateway that resembles dinosaur ribs, designed by Portman Architects, leads you into the spacious park with two and a half miles of paved trails that loop around a reservoir. There's a playground for kids and plenty of green space for those who want to have a picnic or just sprawl out. Bring your sneakers, it's a bit hilly. Any standout features or must-sees? You didn't come all this way just to walk on a trail, did you? The crown jewel here is the Grand Overlook. You'll have to climb some steps to get there, but once you do you're rewarded with a beautiful view of the reservoir and city skyline off in the distance. Was it easy to get around? The 2.5 miles of paved trails are ADA compliant, but the park is hilly. There are steps to reach the Grand Overlook that can prove to be challenging so it's good to go mentally prepared. Parking is easy with two lots to choose from and there's plenty of signage to help you find your way. If you're there in the evening the park is well-lit and has plenty of callboxes available. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? If you're looking for something to do that's free, this is the place for you. Parking and admission are both free, and if you need to catch a breath of fresh air this is a lovely place to do it. It's also great spot if you're a fan of "The Walking Dead" as the reservoir is famous for its appearance in that show. If you don't like dealing with inclines, you may want to choose a different park." - Lia Picard

https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/atlanta/westside-park
View Postcard for Westside Park
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Gaby B.

Yelp
This park is massive! You can easily walk or run miles here. Ample sidewalk space and ADA compliant, this park is perfect for get together, meetups, a quick scrimmage game, or a sweet picnic with loved ones. I found my new place for the summer and to get some running miles in.
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Khadija G.

Yelp
I love discovering gems in my neighborhood. My trainer planned an outing for her clients to participate in outside the gym. She's trying to show us a variety of ways to stay active and move our bodies so she planned this hike. I've never been here before. I never even knew this existed. It's so nice, clean, and big! The hills almost took me out but I made it! I definitely will return with my family, friends, and pets.
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Sam Jacob D.

Yelp
This our first time visiting this park. Loved every bit of what the city has created. Thank you. From the entrance to the different spots we went and explored together this is an awesome park. Will definitely come again with our kids again. One thing can be improved is to clear of some of the plants or weeds blocking the view of the quarry and other part is to repair the signs. You can refer to my picture. Overall a great park to visit with your family and kids

Jessica F.

Yelp
Great environment Amazing food and people will definitely attend to next invite! I love it
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Matthew O.

Yelp
Really beautiful park that is like a hidden gem in Atlanta! I love how the city took a former quarry and really transformed it into something that is family friendly and a green oasis in a very urban area. The trails are well laid out and the maps make direction finding very straightforward. There are some areas where the trails are more steep since you are ascending and descending in a quarry. But the views are good and makes you appreciate a different aspect of Atlanta. All in all, a good place to visit for a literal change in scenery :)
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Gina F.

Yelp
Loooooooove this park. It's still a newer park so very clean and well kept. Have been here a few times to walk along the trails during the week and the park doesn't have much activity going on. Came on a Sunday to take my granddaughter to play and this park was so active. The parking lot had lots of cars and there were several birthday parties, lots of kids in the playground and many walkers and bikers in the trails. Will definitely be back.
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Stephanie G.

Yelp
What a beautiful park located on the westside of Atlanta. It's pretty tucked away, but I love the addition of this gem to the city. We came on Wednesday morning and it was pretty empty. I was shocked at its cleanliness and how big it is. Seriously, their restrooms are so clean! I didn't notice any dog poop bins though, just in case you forget to bring your own dog bags. The coolest feature of this park is the quarry (which has been featured in a few movies/shows). Of course it's fenced off but still really cool to see.
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Andrew B.

Yelp
This is not a park for wimps. Once the um, physical requirements for enjoying this space are fully appreciated, you'll be prepared to have a good time. If you have kids or vulnerable folks in your group, there are some really important caveats before you make the trip. Westside is the latest development project brought to you by Atlanta Parks and the friendly people at BeltLine.com.org.LLC.amazeballs. It's centered around this new water reservoir, filling up a now-defunct quarry. The park's layout slopes aggressively down from Johnson St NW to the reservoir, and from several high points you can look east to the always-lovely city skyline. A few hundred wooded acres cover the place, with well placed signage directing you on numerous walking paths. Sun exposure is a major issue here, and can be a health hazard if not planned for. It's a very young park with lots of recently planted, tiny little trees, so on hot days there is really no getting around the direct sunlight. The mature trees are in the wooded areas that aren't really accessible except when seen from concrete walking paths. Of the two parking lots on Johnson, I recommend the one at water level. The higher-elevation lot accesses the playground by a very steep path, which means a return hike back up the same very steep path in blazing sun with tired kids. It'll be pretty awesome in 20 years when the shade cover is mature.
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Lakeshea T.

Yelp
Absolutely beautiful!!!! Even though you have to ride through the dirtiest part of the city to get there upon arrival to the park it was quiet, calming and there wasn't a lot of noise. Walking the path to the reservoir's highest point was relaxing. Even when it started getting dark the help stations that they have setup frequently kept me calm. Only bad thing is there weren't any lights in certain sections. I highly recommend for waking, taking the kids to play and family fun days just being outside.
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Gen L.

Yelp
As it expands, I think that this will be THE park that Atlanta wants to enjoy. Right now, it feels a little disconnected from other developments and "attractions" that some people may want to enjoy. But right now, it's also new, fresh, extra clean, not that crowded, and overall beautiful. I love going to Westside Park just to chill out, have some space, and people watch while also not observing too many people. I hope that makes sense. Once you visit, you'll get it. This year, I also attended a jazz concert here, that was sponsored by The City of Atlanta as part of Jazzfest. It was great! Totally different from Piedmont Park, because you didn't feel overwhelmed by the number of people. I know park attendance will increase as density increases in the area and the beltline continues to be built out, but in the meantime I'm enjoying the almost "secrecy" of this park.
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Cissy W.

Yelp
Great new park in Northwest Atlanta! Beautiful setting with walking/running trails, bike trails and nice amenities. So fortunate the city was able to get this much land so closely located. It is an old quarry area which creates some nice features for the park. Easy access and plenty of parking. It also looks like there are areas that will accommodate outdoor events, large grassy spaces for festivals or entertainment. I loved the re purpose of the Birth of Atlanta Phoenix from the Olympic Games. The use of artistic elements throughout the park makes it more than just a green space. The entrance gateway sets the tone as you enter through what feels like the giant ribs of some ancient inhabitant. Great Spot!
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Joe P.

Yelp
This massive new park on the site of Atlanta's former Bellwood Quarry has something for everyone, from miles of trails to bike or run, to spacious lawns where you can just throw down a picnic blanket and chill out. The city acquired the quarry property in 2015 as a backup water supply, and the new reservoir serves as the visual centerpiece of Westside Park -- now one of best places from which to view the growing Atlanta skyline. While most of the rim is blocked off by ugly black security fencing, there's a fabulous overlook that offers the perfect backdrop for photographers at any level. Parking is conveniently available in 2 spacious lots off Johnson Rd, or you can use the Proctor Creek trail to arrive by bike. There's an awesome playground for kids, along with clean modern bathrooms and covered picnic areas in multiple locations. And many of the paved trails can get pretty steep, so whether you plan to run, bike or just walk, be prepared for a workout. At more than 280 acres, Westside Park is the newest jewel of Atlanta's public park system, and a treasure for residents and visitors of all ages.
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Nancy B.

Yelp
What a beautiful park! It's so clean and brand new! There's beautiful tall trees everywhere and paths that lead you to a play area for kids and another path for bikes. We saw a ton of dogs there as well. There's an area where you can see like the lake too. Everything is so pretty there! Parking is easy free parking infront.
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Sydney R.

Yelp
I'll start with the things I don't love so I can end this review on a positive note. Cons of this park: -It's challenging to find because it's in the midst of construction so if you're not paying attention you could miss it or if you don't put in the right address you'll be driving in circles. -There's no bike rental. Now this is changeable but the landscape is so beautiful I'd love to see a scooter or bike rental. -It's not a skate-able park. I wanted to roller skate in the park but there are so many hills so downhill and uphill would either be a struggle or an injury waiting to happen. Now on to the things I LOVE!! Pros of this park: -FREE PARKING!!! &TONS OF PARKING (2 Lots) I feel like Atlanta has a ton of parks with either NO PARKING & you have to play seek and find for a spot or paid so to finally have a free parking park is amazing!! -Bathrooms are well kept, tons of picnic tables, and water fountains! -Multiple trail options with tons of great scenery. I love that you can see downtown from the park. -Tons of green space for picnics and field games! -It's pet friendly! I loved the water fountain for your pets! -Security is on site during the park hours! And lastly, we have some water to admire. I'm from Louisville, KY and come from having a waterfront to walk along. The one thing I've missed is having a waterfront and while this isn't technically the same, it's very similar and brings me personal comfort! All in all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE WESTSIDE PARK and highly recommend you visit it yourself. I've left a few photos of my favorite moments here from the two times I've visited thus far! Hope you enjoy it (:
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Jim W.

Yelp
We noted via some online news that Westside Reservoir Park was finally open. We stopped by to check it out over Labor Day weekend. For reference, the park is about a mile or so from the Georgia Tech campus and the older Atlanta Water Works facility. There are apparently 2 entrances, each of which has their own parking lot. We took the first one that we saw; the other has a more unique archway that you drive through (which resembles a fish skeleton). We initially thought that the walking trails would circle the lake, but that proved not to be the case. There are extensive walking trails, including loops, within the park, but they only cover about 1/4 of the lake anywhere near its shores. One spur trail runs out to near the pump house, which looked fairly impressive with large walls of glass. There is also an overlook area at one of the highest points around the lake; this was popular for photos at the time. It was fairly warm the day we visited, but some of the trails are shaded. I believe that the ultimate plan is for the park to connect with the Atlanta Beltline, but that has not been done yet. There were a lot of grassy lawn areas, though they were spread out through the park. There were also at least 2 large shaded areas with picnic tables and restrooms as well. We noted at least one playground for younger kids. The trail at one point also affords great views of much of the Atlanta skyline, from Mercedes Benz Stadium north to midtown. The hill from the lake back up to our initial parking area was steep. I'll be curious to see how soon people scale the fence and try to jump off the 30-foot granite cliffs into the lake. I'm in no way advocating that, and I understand why the lake is fenced off. I just anticipate that this will be 'a thing'... If I lived in the area, I'd likely frequent this park for recreation.
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Faith C.

Yelp
What a great addition to the Westside! There's a lot to like about this place. For starters, there is plentiful free easy parking! There are 2 huge lots. I've come on both weekdays and weekends and haven't had any issue finding a spot. The park is still in the beginning stages, and there is just a lot of open space right now, but I can tell it is going to be even more amazing when they develop it more. There are multiple restrooms that are actually clean w/ changing tables, emergency phones, and water fountains. They have a small pavilion with a few picnic-style tables. There is a small playground. I highly recommend wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, potentially a hat because there is very little shade. There is not really any food options but sometimes they do have a food truck and a few cold treat stands. They could've done better with the fence, as it obstructs the view of the quarry, but I get it. It's still really nice to look at the water. Definitely check out the view of the skyline!
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Shantrell S.

Yelp
Love what they have done with this park! It's extremely clean and still has that new park smell. It is my new favorite park to get some serious miles done because of the hills. 1 loop around the park is about the equivalent of a 5K. There's plenty of free parking with two separate parking lots and entrances. Of the many times I have been, it's never been crowded. I am always able to find parking and keep a good amount of distance between me and others. One of my favorite park details is the designated bike lanes throughout. There's ample trees and foliage, perfect for dogs. Lots of green open spaces for outside yoga or lounging. Benches are placed everywhere for convenience. There is also a nice sized playground near the reservoir. As of now, there are three pavilions. One near each entrance and the third is in the middle of the park. The one thing many come to the park to see is the reservoir lookout. Near the center of the park, there's a reservoir lookout that shows the entirety of the reservoir itself and a nice outline of downtown in the background. Maps are placed at everywhere decision point in the park, however, I don't know if the maps make much sense or if I am just a terrible map reader lol.
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Steve V.

Yelp
We came here on a Saturday and entered in the entrance that does not have the art structure looming over the driveway. This entrance has plenty of parking and puts you near one of the open grass areas. If you are looking for a park with lots of open grass area, this is it! There are no sports fields though and not as much open space as Piedmont Park, but I'll take it! There is a network of paved trails and a very nice playground area that is good for all ages. It is not shaded and there is very little shade in this park. That said, the views of the reservoir (designated look out spots) and a glimpse of the Atlanta skyline more than make up for this. It just opened in August 2021, so everything is nice and new. The bathrooms are clean and I wish there were more food choices onsite. When we were there, we walked the whole thing and only saw an ice cream man.
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Saunsarae M.

Yelp
Beautiful park. 2 pavilions with grills, benches and bathrooms. The bathrooms are spacious and air conditioned. You can reserve the pavilions. One had birthday party, the other a Toastmasters meeting. The open spaces are well groomed and nice to picnic on. There were no bugs as I layed on my blanket. There are several paths to walk on. The reservoir is not much to look at, personally. There is one spot called the overlook that's nice to take pics because the city is in the background. There are lots of maps with "you are here". I hope they will add directional signage because its hard to know which way to go to or which path to get on to get to your specific part of the park. Nonetheless its not a big park so once you go a few times it will be easy to manage. The biggest issue is the hills!! There are 2 parking lots so there is potentially a way to avoid them if you want to get to one of the pavilions. But the rest of the park you will have to navigate. One is so steep and long it has a bench along the way. I went on a beautiful fall day but on a summer day it will be hard to escape the sun unless you are under a pavilion. I would come back for a good walk, a cool picnic or an event.
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Kevin P.

Yelp
Step hills, but the park is gorgeous and, I think, underused. We got there on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and there were maybe 50 people. Google Westside Park parking and on Maps or Google Maps and that worked better than putting in the address. Plenty of maps, but no directional signs. The view of downtown Atlanta and the reservoir are breathtaking. In maybe 10 years when everything is completed this will be close to the attractiveness of Piedmont Park, but I don't think it'll surpass it.
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Kee K.

Yelp
Nice new park larger than Piedmont Park by 100 acres or so. Tons of green space and walking paths to explore. A few hills to climb here and there if you like a more elevated walking experience. Tons of dogs if you have pets and looking to take them on a stroll. They have a playground for the little ones which seems to be pretty cool as well. I saw two pavilions if you're thinking of having a group of friends/family out for a picnic. Also, don't forget to check out the Reservoir. Great park, but since its new it was VERY busy on a Saturday afternoon. Hours are from 6am-11pm.
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Sheena S.

Yelp
Bike trails Walking paths Playground Pavilions Bathrooms Green space Picture opps The new park has it all. Grand opening was on Friday, 20th of August and we checked it out on Sunday the 22nd. It was already super busy. When we left, there was a line wrapped around the parking lot. Guess everyone wanted to come and see Atlanta's largest park. That's correct, bigger than Piedmont Park. Also, a big attraction is the Bellwood Quarry which has been featured may times in Hollywood. One of the most popular is the Waking Dead. The paths have painted letter and numeric markings, and there are maps frequently. It's brand new so I'm excited to see what additions come to. Me personally, I need more playground, hehe. But the park connects to the Proctor Creek Greenway and will eventually connect to the belt line.
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anar m.

Yelp
Location: Westside Reservoir Park Terrain: Huge park with paved paths in West Midtown, perfect for biking, walking, jogging, hiking. Parking: 2 large (free) parking lots *Make sure to pin your location when parking. This park is huge and easy to get lost quick! * Restrooms available with water fountains for refill at both parking lots
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Natalie H.

Yelp
GOOGLE WESTSIDE WATER RESERVOIR TO FIND PARKING! When using Apple Maps it took me to the beginning of a walking trail where cars weren't allowed past. After I found the water reservoir parking it takes you straight to the park. The park has free parking and there's emergency dispatch systems for safety. Easy trails to walk and plenty of space to take your dog. Has water fountains for pets too and a very clean bathroom. Only rating 4/5 stars because parking lot is hard to find
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Stacie N.

Yelp
Westside Park is now the biggest park in ATL!!! Very clean, plenty of free parkings, spacious & filled with lots of greeneries & scenic trails! Gorgeous reservoir that is picturesque & serene! Def will come back here w/ my bike next time!
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Montserrat O.

Yelp
Westside Reservoir park is Atlanta largest park surpassing Piedmont park by 100 acres. Beautiful greenery and scenery of nature. The walking trails are paved and have sections for scooters and bikes it was hard to find through the address online so I marked the location where we parked and used it again for directions. 72 Grove Park Pl NW Atlanta, GA 30318 I would recommend to go in a bike or ready for a good walk (you will sweat tons). There's 2 entrances to park! First one is for the playground and 2nd one is for general walking trail.
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Karen G.

Yelp
Excellent park with two different entrances. If you use Google it will take you to the first entrance. If you drive past it you'll see the 2nd entrance with a large white sculpture. This park is good for bikers and walking. I don't recall seeing mile markers along the path but they might be there. The layout of the park is well designed and the bathrooms are clean. Great job Atlanta! This was much needed in the Westside.
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Xiaohui Y.

Yelp
I heard about this park from many people so I decided to check it out. In general, I had a pleasant experience but there are some shortcomings about this park. First, I would like to share the things that I like about the park. 1) This park has many parking spots and it is very easy to find a space to park. 2) It has a good instruction for the trails. You can easily find maps along the trails. If you got lost, you could find a map easily and get back on track. 3) It has various trails that you can pick. Some of the trails are easier and some of them are more challenging but in general they all seem friendly. 4) It has nice biking trials. 5) Nice facilities such as bathroom and playgrounds. 6) You can overlook partial Atlanta skyline. However there are some shortcomings about this park that I may not consider coming back again soon. 1) This park is so new so it doesn't have many big trees that can provide you shade. If you come around summer time or maybe early Fall, it could get super hot and burn easily. 2) It has a nice lake and many green trees but besides that the scenery is OK not very impressive as others. 3) the trail is not too long (I remember the longest one is no more than 2 miles) so if you want to do a longer walk or run, you need to repeat or combine with other trails. Anyway, I would recommend this park to others but i would definitely encourage them to come in a cooler time or early morning or later afternoon. Also I would encourage you to bring sunscreen, water, sunglasses and hat. Without enough shades, it could get extremely hot!
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Ashley T.

Yelp
I truly enjoy coming to this park! It's easy to find and I really like that there is ample free parking with two huge parking lots. The scenery is beautiful and it's so peaceful. Each time that I've visited, I've been able to get a nice walk in and a bit of cardio trucking up those "killer" hills. There's a good bit of open greenspace where you're able to take in a nice view of the city from the westside or take a trip down to the quarry and just be still with the awe and beauty that is nature. I like that there are lots of different paths throughout the park and the restrooms are always clean (even though the lights don't come on until you step foot in there). There's also a cute little playground and several picnic areas to just hangout. I've noticed that there seems to be a pretty big neighborhood being built directly across from one of the parking lots so it's safe to assume that as time goes on the park will become more and more populated. Until then I will continue to enjoy the quietness of it. Super cute park and I will definitely continue to visit!
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Joi M.

Yelp
This park opened to the public several weeks ago. There is free parking at two separate parking lots. I like that the park is not as crowded (yet) on weekends as the Beltline or Piedmont Park. There are playgrounds and lots of greenery to play sports or picnic. There are walking paths and steep hills to climb. This is a great park to have events with family or friends. Many large groups of people were gathered at the picnic tables eating and drinking. A lot of people came to the park later on in the afternoon and then there was not much parking left. This is a great park to spend a sunny day at enjoying the outdoors.
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Chioma I.

Yelp
I waited to come here until the weather cooled down and my first visit did not disappoint. There is plenty of parking which is great considering this is Atlanta's largest park. The water feature, which serves as a 30-day critical water supply, also adds some beauty to this park. There's a playground for the kids (or adults, no judgment), tables for picnics or reading, plenty of open spaces, and bathrooms. The park has bike trails and running/walking trails, and a few decent inclines to get your heart rate up. At certain points you can also catch a glimpse of Atlanta's skyline. Overall, I found this to be a peaceful, lovely spot to get some fresh air and a little exercise. Definitely worth a visit or two.
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Sill S.

Yelp
I will definitely be back! Time of day: Saturday morning Parking: Used one of the many parking lots Grounds: Very clean and so many ways to enter the trails. I chose to walk a path that lead to the quarry (from The Walking Dead Season 1). I sat and read (benches throughout the park). If inclines are your thing, you will definitely get them here! Bike lanes and playgrounds, there is enough park for everyone.
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Karlyn W.

Yelp
Beautiful park nestled on the Westside. I love the various trail options, covered outdoor dining area with outlets, free parking, and bathrooms. See what everyone is talking about by planning a visit.
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Sarah B.

Yelp
Lovely new green space in the city. Not crowded as of yet, lots of twisty paths to explore.

Chris F.

Yelp
I love this park! Great trails, nice topography and the views are amazing. There is a skyline view other than the one at the overlook, that took me by surprise. It is really stunning. As someone posted in an earlier review, Westside Park is only through phase 1A and will see additional areas completed in the coming years. It connects to the Proctor Creek Greenway, which offers beautiful views of the rocks and creek. The last time I went to this park I saw three deer right beside the sidewalk inside the park. When they saw me, they quickly walked up the hill to the tree line and stopped there to assess the danger. They were correct in their assessment that I was not a danger and then just stayed right there. In the spring, I have seen families of deer, with fawns still with spots, but was surprised to see deer in the park. Very cool! Oh, one more thing. There is plenty of parking at two different entrances on Johnson, and the cars going into the parking lot have absolutely no negative affect on the atmosphere of the park. Neither do the parking lots for that matter.