#accessiblecampgrounds — Public Fediverse posts

#AtlantaGA - This Once Sewage-filled 'Filthy' River Was Too Dangerous to Use—and Is Now Transformed With #Trails, #Parks, and #Campsites

#Atlanta’s #ChattahoocheeRiverlands is opening new #campgrounds, #RiverAccess, and #GreenSpaces after decades of #EnvironmentalRestoration.

By Michael Cappetta
Published on June 29, 2026

"The home city of one of the busiest airports in the world just got a significant environmental upgrade.

"For decades, major portions of the 18,000-acre Chattahoochee Riverlands in Atlanta were largely inaccessible or closed due to hazardous conditions and water pollution from decades of sewage and sludge.

"Now, thanks to a new investment from the #TrustForPublicLand (#TPL), over 100 miles of trails, parks, and eight new campsites will be available to the public. Spanning as far north as #BufordDam and as far south as #ChattachoocheeBend State Park in Coweta County, the Chattahoochee Riverlands will provide unique river access and outdoor adventures for residents of the sprawling Atlanta metropolitan area over the course of the next decade.

"TPL’s goal is to expand and revitalize the area, connecting the #MetroAtlanta Region to the river and providing new outdoor access for one million people. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 1, 2025 civic leaders and TPL opened New Riverlands Park, one of two new points of entry to the area. The other, #CampbelltonPark, has an expanded, #ADAAccessible campsite, and TPL is working with the city to add an additional 70 acres, according to Saporta Report.

" 'Stretching across 19 cities and seven counties, this network of trails will bring people to the water’s edge, spark a lifelong love of the river, and reveal the magic of the #ChattahoocheeRiver to all,' said the team at TPL in a statement announcing the transfer of 14 acres of riverfront property in Sandy Springs to the National Park Service, effectively expanding the overall acreage of the Chattahoochee Riverlands.

"An updated interactive website can help visitors understand the variety of parks, hiking trails, and local dining options along the river, in addition to the many activity options for outdoor enthusiasts like running, cycling, camping, or even just a leisurely stroll through the riverside trails.

"The area was previously a dumping ground for wastewater and polluted stormwater, according to a report from Atlanta Magazine, making it unsuitable for recreational use. Now, thanks to upgrades from TPL and grassroots efforts from local advocacy group #ChattahoocheeNow, the water is cleaner and open to additional recreational uses. Still, TPL recommends visiting the #BacteriAlert website before swimming or wading in the water.

"This isn’t the only environmental upgrade project TPL is working on. In May, the organization announced an extension to the Empire State Trail, which currently spans from the southernmost point of #NewYorkCity's #BatteryPark, to the Canadian border in northern upstate #NewYork. The extension will push the trail east and connect it to the #LongIslandGreenway, a 200-mile trail that will eventually connect the #EmpireStateTrail to #Montauk."

https://www.travelandleisure.com/atlanta-chattahoochee-riverlands-transformation-12005120

#SolarPunkSunday #AccessibleCampgrounds #EnvironmentalRestoration #ConnectedTrails #Georgia #NewYork #TPL #LandTrusts #NationalParks

#AtlantaGA - This Once Sewage-filled 'Filthy' River Was Too Dangerous to Use—and Is Now Transformed With #Trails, #Parks, and #Campsites

#Atlanta’s #ChattahoocheeRiverlands is opening new #campgrounds, #RiverAccess, and #GreenSpaces after decades of #EnvironmentalRestoration.

By Michael Cappetta
Published on June 29, 2026

"The home city of one of the busiest airports in the world just got a significant environmental upgrade.

"For decades, major portions of the 18,000-acre Chattahoochee Riverlands in Atlanta were largely inaccessible or closed due to hazardous conditions and water pollution from decades of sewage and sludge.

"Now, thanks to a new investment from the #TrustForPublicLand (#TPL), over 100 miles of trails, parks, and eight new campsites will be available to the public. Spanning as far north as #BufordDam and as far south as #ChattachoocheeBend State Park in Coweta County, the Chattahoochee Riverlands will provide unique river access and outdoor adventures for residents of the sprawling Atlanta metropolitan area over the course of the next decade.

"TPL’s goal is to expand and revitalize the area, connecting the #MetroAtlanta Region to the river and providing new outdoor access for one million people. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 1, 2025 civic leaders and TPL opened New Riverlands Park, one of two new points of entry to the area. The other, #CampbelltonPark, has an expanded, #ADAAccessible campsite, and TPL is working with the city to add an additional 70 acres, according to Saporta Report.

" 'Stretching across 19 cities and seven counties, this network of trails will bring people to the water’s edge, spark a lifelong love of the river, and reveal the magic of the #ChattahoocheeRiver to all,' said the team at TPL in a statement announcing the transfer of 14 acres of riverfront property in Sandy Springs to the National Park Service, effectively expanding the overall acreage of the Chattahoochee Riverlands.

"An updated interactive website can help visitors understand the variety of parks, hiking trails, and local dining options along the river, in addition to the many activity options for outdoor enthusiasts like running, cycling, camping, or even just a leisurely stroll through the riverside trails.

"The area was previously a dumping ground for wastewater and polluted stormwater, according to a report from Atlanta Magazine, making it unsuitable for recreational use. Now, thanks to upgrades from TPL and grassroots efforts from local advocacy group #ChattahoocheeNow, the water is cleaner and open to additional recreational uses. Still, TPL recommends visiting the #BacteriAlert website before swimming or wading in the water.

"This isn’t the only environmental upgrade project TPL is working on. In May, the organization announced an extension to the Empire State Trail, which currently spans from the southernmost point of #NewYorkCity's #BatteryPark, to the Canadian border in northern upstate #NewYork. The extension will push the trail east and connect it to the #LongIslandGreenway, a 200-mile trail that will eventually connect the #EmpireStateTrail to #Montauk."

https://www.travelandleisure.com/atlanta-chattahoochee-riverlands-transformation-12005120

#SolarPunkSunday #AccessibleCampgrounds #EnvironmentalRestoration #ConnectedTrails #Georgia #NewYork #TPL #LandTrusts #NationalParks