This parks rating is 9 1/2 out of 10 stars
Address: 275 Pine Road, Newnan, Georgia 30263
Phone: 770-254-2685
The Parks web page says:
The James E. McGuffey Nature Center is located in the Coweta County Fairgrounds complex, south of Newnan. The Nature Center offers both educational and recreation opportunities for visitors.
Visitors may also enjoy hiking any one or all the numerous trails that travel through the diverse forest, bog and lake locations. There is even a paved nature trail for those with disabilities.
The James E. McGuffey Nature Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. Saturday from 8:30 A.M. until 30 minutes prior to sunset. Sunday from 1:00 A.M. until 30 minutes prior to sunset. Closed Mondays.
The James E. McGuffey Nature Center was developed in Coweta County in the early 2000s. The McGuffey Nature Center and Trails are located on 17 acres of the Coweta County Fairgrounds property in Newnan, Georgia. Six trails are associated with the Nature Center: Purple Accessible Paved Trail, Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green unpaved trails. The center is easily accessed from Interstate 85 and serves residents of Coweta and other nearby counties.
The good things about this park are that it has a handicap trail just off the parking area and several places for seating for large groups like scouts, church groups, or family gatherings etc. It also has a trail to the side of the parking area that leads through a nice flower garden.
The bad thing about this park is that a large section of the blue trail (the longest trail) is closed indefinitely. Apparently the water level of one of the streams caused one of the structures under a bridge to wash out and they may not be able to get equipment into the area to fix it.
What Kind of Park is this? The short answer is a nature center. This is a great place for teaching groups about native plants and the outdoors. It is a nature center but unlike other nature centers I've visited it doesn't have a visitor center/gift shop or any indoor area other then the bathrooms. What it does have are informative billboards attached to the walls of a large open overlook platform with a large seating area good for gatherings or a meeting spot. The platform overlooks a pond with a fountain, and between it and the parking lot is a "ceremonial ring" that also would seat a large group and be a great meeting area.
1. The Parks views: In addition to the forest there is a flower garden on one trail and a large garden with sun flowers etc next to it within walking distance. There is also the view of the pond with it's fountain that makes this a great place to visit.
2. The Parks cost: Absolutely free
3. The Parks bathrooms: A bathroom is right off the parking lot. It is cleaned and well maintained
4. How long is the hike? There are several paths and you can change the distance depending on the trails you choose and how many "laps" you make. The map at the pavillion gives the distance for each trail.
5. The parks shopping and souvenirs: This park doesn't have any so bring your camera and make your own. I did find a blue jay feather next to the pond so keep your eyes open and maybe you can find a treasure as well.
6. Does the park have wheelchair and stroller access? Yes but it's limited to only on one trail, the bathrooms and the meeting areas.
7. How helpful are the parks maps and markers? They were great! The trails had markers every few feet (not every quarter mile or more like some parks) and they were easy to see - on posts. There were two maps, one just past the parking area and the other on the walls of the pond overlook. The map had the trails color coded and the trail markers were THE SAME COLOR !! That shouldn't be surprising or a big deal but try going to a state park and find your way when it's not the case.
8. Is the park kid and dog friendly? Yes and No. Yes it's great for kids (keep the pond in mind if they can't swim, although no swimming is posted it can still be a hazard if kids are allowed to wonder off). No dogs are allowed in the park.
9. Was there a uniqueness to the park? Answer is The flower garden and the pond with the fountain as well as the overlook pavilion and ceremonial circle did make this a unique experience.
10. Was it worthwhile? Yes. I will be going back.
Bonus Questions
11. What amenities did the park provide? Parking, bathrooms, overlooks, garden area picnic tables seating for large groups and informative signs.
12. Was there tent, cabin and RV camping? No this isn't that kind of place.
13. Places nearby to eat? Yes
14. Was there a gas station nearby? Yes
15. How safe was the park? Very safe
16. Is the park maintained well? Yes
17. Is there good internet service? I forgot to check but I think so. It's close to town.
18. What would I have brought or left behind if I hiked this trail again?
I hiked in the afternoon and didn't take anything with me. I wished I brought a fan and something to drink. Most of the trail was shaded but the flower garden wasn't and I got really hot taking pictures. I didn't get bug bites but bug spray would not have been a bad idea either.
19. How far is this from Atlanta? 38 minutes.
20. Spirit Animal for the park?
The trails spirit animal is selected by any animal I see at the park or on my way to the park. I find that looking for the day’s spirit animal makes my hike more fun and reminds me to stop and enjoy the beauty of my journey. Today’s spirit animal is: A bluejay. I didn't see many animals in the park other than bees and butterflies in the gardens but a bluejay left me a feather so it's my pick for the day.
The name of this trail is? I took the blue and yellow trail.
What Kind of trail is this? Nature trails
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