Weekend Wanderings: Trail Nerd Edition – Mason Mill Park

This weekend, my son Will and I traded concrete for canopies and headed over to Mason Mill Park for a little “research.” (And by research, I mean nerding out over boardwalk design and tree preservation, because that’s how we roll.)

Why Mason Mill? We’re diving into the design process for the Blueway Trail – the future connector between PATH400, Blue Heron, and Chastain Park – and wanted to see how other trails have handled environmental sensitivity. Spoiler alert: Mason Mill nailed it.

From the moment we stepped onto the trail, it felt like a tranquil walk in the woods… because it was a tranquil walk in the woods. The boardwalks were gently nestled into the landscape, with wood tones that melted into the scenery rather than screaming “Look at me, I’m infrastructure!” We passed families with strollers, birdwatchers, hikers, and a surprisingly lively stream of folks heading to a local “No Kings” rally at the VA. Mason Mill, apparently, is where democracy and biodiversity flourish.

What really blew my mind, though, was the sheer connectivity. I had no idea how close the VA is to Buckhead and Lindbergh until I walked there. That’s one of the things I love most about trails – they connect places in ways that completely vanish when you’re stuck in traffic, silently resenting that one guy who always forgets how a four-way stop works.

Even cooler? The web of nature trails that spider off the main path, taking you right down to the creek. It’s the perfect detour if you’re craving that “off-the-beaten-path” feeling without actually needing a machete. And perhaps the biggest miracle of all: not a single mosquito ambush. I’m not saying it was enchanted, but I’m not not saying that either.

All in all, it was an inspiring visit – one that reminded me how powerful (and peaceful) thoughtfully designed greenways can be. It reinforced our commitment to making the Blueway Trail a seamless, beautiful, and environmentally sensitive experience that invites everyone to connect – to nature, to community, and to places they never realized were right next door.

Stay tuned. Big things are coming. And hopefully still no mosquitos.