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The system of parks and greenspace contains over 700-acres of greenspace. Located along the trail are over 50 interpretive panels which describe activities related to the former Cook and Brother Amory/Chicopee Mill, the North Oconee River, Dudley Park, Athens’ railroad, and the development of Athens’ over time.
The Greenway provides opportunities for individuals to experience nature in a variety of ways while linking parks, neighborhoods, points of interest, and activity centers. The North Oconee River Greenway is a 3.5 mile long, bicycling and walking path that is open sunrise to sunset.
The Greenway path is open to all types of non-motorized uses and dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Currently, the North Oconee River Greenway connects with Cook’s Greenway Trail at Sandy Creek Nature Center and follows the North Oconee River south toward downtown Athens and the University of Georgia.
You can check out the wildlife as you hike Cook’s trail, bike along our greenway or enjoy a family outing at one of our riverside parks. Check out our facility pages to learn more information and plan your excursion into the great outdoors.
Free admission.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired. |
| North Oconee River Park |
North Oconee River Park covers appoximately 20 acres between Martin Luther King Parkway and Willow Street.
The North Oconee River Park is bisected by the North Oconee River. The two halves of the park provide an urban oasis for both humans and animals. The west side of the park, which is mostly mature hardwoods, is bordered by the North Oconee River Greenway. The east side of the park is primarily open fields with scattered large hardwood trees. Picnic tables, benches, and grills can be found in both parks.
Operating Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily |
| Charles Aguar Memorial Plaza |
Charles Aguar is generally accredited with being the "father" of the Oconee Rivers Greenway system. He began advocating for a Greenway since the early 1970’s and lived to see the official ground breaking nearly 30 years later. Aguar was an advocate for protecting and conserving the rivers of Athens while providing recreational amenities for citizens to enjoy.
To celebrate his legecy a portion of the trail has been designated in his honor. A design competition was held to decide the layout of the area near the intersection of Willow Street and East Broad. The winning design was submitted by Lea Gardner (MLA) which left much of the site as it was. The meandering path lead one toward the river with benches located along the way.
Charles Aguar Memorial Plaza is located on Willow Street between East Broad and North Avenue.
Operating Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily |
| Heritage Trail/Cook and Brother Plaza |
The Heritage Trail was developed as part of the North Oconee River Greenway. The Trail illustrates Athens’ rich history displayed in the locale from Lickskillet at North Avenue and Willow Street, to Carr’s Hill at Oconee Street. Located along the trail are over fifty interpretive panels which describe activities related to the former Cook and Brother Amory/Chicopee Mill, the North Oconee River, Dudley Park, Athens’ railroad, and the development of Athens’ over time.
Take an educational walk through Athens’ natural and human history along Heritage Trail where you’ll learn about the North Oconee River, the town that grew up along it, the industry it supported and the townspeople who depended on it.
Heritage Trail begins at the North Oconee River Park, located at the corner of North Avenue and Willow Street and ends in Dudley Park. |
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| Dudley Park |
Dudley Park is a 12 acre park nestled in the confluence of Trail Creek and the North Oconee River, just a short walk from downtown Athens and the University of Georgia. This beautiful natural resource park features majestic hardwoods, open fields, and several picnic tables and benches and a grill.
Dudley Park serves as a great a connection point to the new North Oconee River Greenway trail system.
Parking is available on Poplar Street at Oak Street, and on MLK at First Street, directly across the street from the Chicopee Complex.
Operating Hours: Sunrise to Sunset |
| Ben Burton Park |
Ben Burton Park is a wildlife preserve comprised of a blend of floodplain and forest habitats. The Park is a 32 acre plot of land located off Mitchell Bridge Road featuring a hardwood forest, 1.2 mile mineral surface loop trail, picturesque shoals on the Middle Oconee River, fourteen picnic tables and two grills.
Ongoing Projects:
Streambank stabilization project to show possible ways to improve streambank health and decrease erosion that has occurred over time. |
| Cooks Trail |
Cook’s Trail is located within a linear greenspace that is managed to protect the health of both wild and human communities. The trail crosses an extensive wetland including a beaver dam swamp.
The 4.1 mile mineral surface trail incorporates a series of boardwalks and bridges to allow visitors to have a close-up experience with the natural surroundings.
Cook’s Trail links the Sandy Creek Nature Center to Sandy Creek Park. Parking is available at both parks and connection to the North Oconee River Greenway is located at Sandy Creek Nature Center.
Oxbow Loop is an additional .9 mile loop trail that circles around a beaver lake formed by a beaver dam.
The trail is open to non-motorized foot traffic from sunrise to sunset. Mountain bikes, dirt bikes and equestrian traffic is prohibited to preserve the condition of the trail. Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control. |
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| Contact - Address & Website |
| Phone: 706-613-3615 ext.242 - Address: - Address: 205 Old Commerce Rd., Athens, GA - North Oconee Greenway and Heritage Trail Website |
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