Sandy Springs residents can grab a pair of loppers and help restore trails at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 15, the same morning the park celebrates its 48th birthday at Hewlett Field.
The Volunteer Trail Restoration Day starts at 9 a.m., according to a Patch calendar listing published Sunday. Based on the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy's standard volunteer day format, the work typically runs until noon and includes removing debris, pruning overgrowth, smoothing trail surfaces and improving safety along hiking paths that see more than 3 million visitors a year.
Tool supply is limited. The National Park Service provides gloves, rakes, loppers and trash bags, but volunteers must bring closed-toe shoes, long pants, a refillable water bottle, bug spray and sunscreen. Everyone must be at least 12 years old, and minors need a guardian at check-in.
A $5 daily parking pass or annual pass is required.
The specific trail location has not been announced. NPS Volunteer Coordinator David Thomas is the point of contact for details; interested residents can reach him at [email protected].
Park's birthday, same day
The trail work coincides with the park's 48th Birthday Bash, also starting at 9 a.m. at Hewlett Field, 1978 Island Ford Parkway. President Jimmy Carter signed the legislation creating the recreation area on Aug. 15, 1978, protecting 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River corridor from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek.
The conservancy, led by executive director Brittany Jones, has said the organization's mission centers on maintaining the trails, waterways and habitats that draw millions of visitors each year. In a July Instagram post, the conservancy noted that volunteers "regularly" turn out to clean and maintain trails across the park's 7,000-plus acres.
Bigger picture
The volunteer day is part of an ongoing push to keep up with heavy foot traffic. In December 2025, the park and conservancy launched a trail transformation project at the Island Ford headquarters unit, adding 2.2 miles of new trails as the first phase of a Comprehensive Trails Management Plan. That plan calls for 33 new miles of trails park-wide, a 50 percent increase that includes pedestrian-only, bicycle, multi-use and ADA-accessible paths.
How to take part
- What: Volunteer Trail Restoration Day
- When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. (expect to wrap by noon)
- Where: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (specific trail TBA; email David Thomas for details)
- Register: chattahoocheeparks.org/events
- Parking: $5 daily pass or annual pass required
- Birthday Bash: Same day, 9 a.m., Hewlett Field, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs
