With the arrival of
the hustle and heat of another busy summer in Smyrna, it’s not unusual to long
for the sights and sounds of nature—the peace of flowing waters, the trills of
flitting birds about their business under the dappled shade of tall rustling
trees. If only we had time to take a few days, pack up the kids, fill up the
tank and find that spot in the mountains, right?
There is good news for
us…fantastic news actually: Smyrna …Cobb County … in fact, much of the greater
Atlanta area, is green.
Just in time for
spring, the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council hosted its April First Sunday Lecture series with Jonah McDonald’s introduction to “Hiking
Cobb County” at the Smyrna Public Library. Some sixty people of all ages
attended the talk to learn about many beautiful nature hikes available in west
and north metro and Cobb County. Author of Hiking Atlanta’s Hidden Forests and a ten-year resident of Atlanta, Mr.
McDonald proved that nature is not something you only see once a year on
vacation. He shared the locations of many “greenspaces” within and around
Smyrna—not just the ever-popular Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
and Silver Comet trail but lesser known gems too, such as Heritage Park, the
East and West Palisades, Cochran Shoals and Lost Mountain. These nearby spots
can be enjoyed in a day or even in an afternoon.
Mr. McDonald shared
with the group that his goal—besides offering us a mini-vacation—is to increase
the community’s participation in the local environment and so foster a sense of
stewardship, especially among young people, that will help preserve the city’s
vast natural beauty—a beauty that many do not even realize is there beside the
malls, the office parks and the parking lots.
So when the heat is on
this summer—whether in your backyard or on that conference call—take heart!
Families and nature-lovers can spend an afternoon breathing in the scents and
sounds of champion oaks and towering poplars, peaceful rivers and rushing
waterfalls…and maybe even catch a sight of a little bit of wildlife—all without
leaving the city!
Jonah
McDonald is the founder of an outdoor guide service providing hiking, camping,
backpacking and outdoor education programs throughout the Southeast. As an
educator and naturalist, he has designed and taught wilderness and outdoor
programs for several Atlanta-area independent schools. McDonald thru-hiked the
Appalachian Trail in 2002. Hiking Atlanta’s Hidden Forests was inspired by his
many days spent exploring the greenspaces of metro Atlanta.
The "First Sunday" lecture series is
held in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room and is jointly sponsored by the
Friends of Smyrna Library and the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council.
