Talking Rock Nature Preserve – State of the Park Report
The following is a quick summary of STPAL’s primary park building project – Talking Rock Nature Preserve as well as the most up to date trail map.
They are split into 3 groups based on STPAL’s commitment to providing low-impact outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and educational opportunities for the local community.
Recreation
- Completed
- Eight Miles of multi-use trails for mountain biking and hiking completed (Over 10 miles available as of 07-04-2019!)
- Three geocaches hidden around park
- Several community rides on the trails
- On-site map detailing trail system
- Bike repair station/pump at the current parking lot
- In Process
- An additional miles of multi-use trails
- An additional parking lot
- Bike racks near trailheads
- More trail maps near trailheads
- Aspirational
- Disc golf course
- Downhill track
- Pump track
- Additional geocaches
- Small local races
- Cast iron grills
Environment
- Completed
- The land is perpetually conserved
- Trails were built sustainably
- Butterfly and Bat houses
- In process
- Chimney swift tower (completed summer 2019!)
- Planting native plants near the apiary (completed but more needed due to summer 2019 drought)
- Planting native plants at Jon’s Corner (completed but more needed due to summer 2019 drought)
- Aspirational
- Become Pollinator Habitat certified by Environmental Education Alliance
- Become Wildlife Sanctuary certified by Atlanta Audubon Society
Education
- Completed
- Three message boards across the preserve
- Apiary with a partnered beekeeper training program
- Field study site for Reinhardt biology department
- In process
- Chimney swift tower (completed summer 2019!)
- Wildlife education signage (will be completed in November 2019!)
- Aspirational
- Elementary school field trips to the preserve
- Additional signage on the history of the land