10 Best Parks in ITP Atlanta

The crown jewel of Atlanta parks. 200 acres of green space right in Midtown with skyline views that never get old.

• Active Oval for pickup soccer and frisbee
• Lake Clara Meer for a scenic loop walk
• Saturday Green Market for local produce and vendors

Connects directly to the BeltLine Eastside Trail, so you can walk or bike over from multiple neighborhoods. On a clear day, the Midtown skyline reflected in the lake is genuinely postcard-worthy.

One of Atlanta's oldest parks, right next to Zoo Atlanta. 131 acres with great walking paths, a historic gateway, and excellent people watching.

• Sunday farmers market is a neighborhood staple
• Loop trail is about 1.5 miles, mostly shaded
• Great playground and open fields for kids

The southeast corner near the zoo entrance has the best mature tree canopy in the whole park.

A linear park that connects the Carter Center to the BeltLine, cutting through Poncey-Highland, Candler Park, and Little Five Points.

• Paved paths perfect for biking, running, or walking
• Beautiful mature trees near the Moreland Avenue section
• Connects to multiple neighborhoods without touching a car road

One of the most underrated ways to cross the east side of the city entirely on greenway.

A relatively new park (opened 2011) that turned a flood-prone area into one of the best spots in town. Sits right on the Eastside Trail.

• Splash pad for kids in summer
• Amphitheater with occasional events and live music
• Stormwater pond that doubles as a scenic lake with a loop trail

Grab a coffee from Dancing Goats at Ponce City Market next door and walk the loop. Hard to beat on a Saturday morning.

Atlanta's newest major park and the largest greenspace in the city at 280 acres. Built on the site of the old Bellwood Quarry, the views of the reservoir from the overlook are genuinely stunning.

• Reservoir overlook with an unreal shade of blue-green water
• Multi-use trails still being expanded
• Still feels like a secret to many Atlantans

This park is going to be a major destination once all the planned phases are finished.

A beloved neighborhood park with something for everyone. The disc golf course here is one of the most popular in the city.

• Pool, tennis courts, golf course, playground
• Annual Candler Park Fall Fest brings out the whole neighborhood
• Great community feel year-round

Disc golf is free to play. Bring your own discs or borrow from a friendly local on the first tee.

A chain of connected parks designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm (the same family behind Central Park). Runs through Druid Hills along Ponce de Leon Avenue.

• Gorgeous old trees and open meadows
• Very little foot traffic compared to bigger parks
• Walk the full length from Virgilee Park to Deepdene Park for a peaceful two-mile stroll

Some of Atlanta's prettiest scenery, and you might have it mostly to yourself.

65 acres of old-growth forest right in the middle of the city. Seriously. Some of these trees are over 200 years old.

• Access through Fernbank Museum (with admission) or the free WildWoods paths
• Paved loop trail that's great for kids
• Museum trail goes deeper into the old growth

It feels like you've been transported to the north Georgia mountains, except you're ten minutes from downtown.

A small, well-loved park in East Atlanta. The kind of neighborhood park where everyone knows each other's dogs.

• Playground, tennis courts, community garden
• Mature tree canopy provides solid shade even in August
• Community garden plots sometimes have openings

Check with the East Atlanta Community Association if you're interested in a garden plot.

Located in the East Lake neighborhood, Coan Park has a recently renovated playground, walking paths, and a rec center.

• Never crowded, even on weekends
• Rolling terrain makes for a decent workout
• Walking loop has real hills (unlike the flat BeltLine)

If you want a tougher walk than the BeltLine without leaving the city, this is your spot.