Sandy Springs residents can help keep the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area's trails passable this fall. The Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy has posted four Saturday volunteer trail restoration days running September through December.
Each session runs 9 a.m. to noon at a different CRNRA unit:
- Saturday, September 5 — Johnson Ferry North
- Saturday, October 3 — East Palisades (Whitewater Creek entrance)
- Saturday, November 7 — Bowmans Island (Lower Pool Parking Lot)
- Saturday, December 5 — Gold Branch
Volunteers meet in the parking lot by the trailhead at each location. Work includes removing debris, pruning overgrowth, smoothing trail surfaces, and improving accessibility on popular hiking paths.
The staffing picture
The volunteer program takes on added weight as the park navigates federal staffing constraints. A hiring freeze has left CRNRA unable to fill permanent vacant positions, according to the conservancy's website. Scientists, administrative staff, and division chiefs have been pulled into covering basic tasks like trash collection and facility upkeep.
The conservancy wrote that it worries the park "may be stretched so thin that it will be forced to shift from proactive stewardship to reactive triage."
CRNRA spans 15 land units with 66 miles of trails and draws more than 3 million visitors a year, according to the conservancy. The park generated $237 million in economic benefits in 2024, supporting jobs and businesses across north metro Atlanta.
Brittany Jones, executive director of the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, has described the organization's role as "helping to bridge gaps in coordination, volunteer activation and project momentum" when federal operations are constrained.
What to bring
The conservancy provides gloves, rakes, loppers (limited supply), and trash bags. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes and should bring long pants, weather-appropriate layers, a water bottle, bug spray, and sunscreen.
All volunteers must be 12 or older. Minors need a guardian present at check-in.
A $5 daily parking pass or annual pass is required at all CRNRA units. Day passes can be purchased at the trailhead or online at nps.gov.
To register or ask questions, visit chattahoocheeparks.org or email [email protected].
Upcoming volunteer dates
- Saturday, September 5 — Johnson Ferry North, 9 a.m.–noon
- Saturday, October 3 — East Palisades (Whitewater Creek), 9 a.m.–noon
- Saturday, November 7 — Bowmans Island, 9 a.m.–noon
- Saturday, December 5 — Gold Branch, 9 a.m.–noon
