The park officially opened in mid-May 2023 and activated Dunwoody’s first splash pad.
I moved to the Lofts Apartments on Nov. 4, 2012. While directing the movers to my new apartment, I noticed a sign across the street that was standing before a long, deep strand of trees.
Coming: Perimeter Center East Park.
The park, as the years passed, and did not get built, became a running joke between my friends and I while hanging around the pool. From time to time, I would read an article in the local paper or see a publicity release on line that the new park was being considered.
My neighbors would cynically stare at me and say; “Do you really think that park is going to be built?”
I had been part of the incorporation movement and knew that our city leaders were competent and honest. “Yes, Brett Walker, Parks Director told me so.”
Lofts apartments, now part of the Drexel Collective.
I maintained faith and was rewarded. Mr. Walker and his department started construction on a jewel of a park a year ago. Progress was aided by relatively good weather and an official grand opening is planned. I entered the park renamed Two Bridges and took a picture of the its sign and smiled.
Why Two Bridges Park? The first bridge over North Peachtree Creek was built two years ago as part of the developing multi-use trail linking Brook Run, Pernoshal, Georgetown and now Two Bridges Parks with Perimeter Mall and beyond.
The second bridge is made of wood and is part of a gravel trail that winds down to the stream and along it, then back up to the playground, splashpad, or exercise space.
I watched the park and wooden bridge being built the past year and adore it. I call it the garden of earthly delights because it is chock full of them, one delicious pleasure of sorts after another.
The bridge is cute and a good vantage point to stand, look, and take in this new space. I moved March 1, 2023, to Perimeter Center and am a bit sad that I will not have this wonderful investment in the neighborhood right across the street from me.
Visitors entering the park behold the main playground and divergent sidewalks leading down to the stream or to other attractions and the parking lot.
The playground is a cornucopia of play stations that engages children of all ages. My favorite is the musical instruments set and believe it will be a big winner with adults.
One passes the playground and follows the cement walkway in a circular path back to it. The gravel path heading downhill is my favorite route because it allows one to commune with nature and is a lot longer than one might suspect.
A walker can follow the stream for over a hundred yards, cross the bridge, then head uphill. I found this path through the woods joyful.
Upon accessing the path for the first time, and after living across the street for a decade, I discovered many new aspects of the area, particularly how different neighborhoods previously were barricaded from each other by the woods, now thinned and making that perception visible.
By the time one is heading back uphill to the main area, a feeling of having had a nice walk in the woods comes over you.
The gravel path turns and gives way to a cement walkway that leads straight to Dunwoody’s first splash pad.
Splash pad
The walkway leads to a parking lot, exercise area, and exit onto the multi-use trail.
The exercise area contains related work stations for tensile strength activities.
The exit gate leads to the multi-use trail that links Two Bridges with the Dunwoody park system.
Multi-use trail leading to the first bridge across North Peachtree Creek.
View from the west side of the bridge capturing this northern leg of Nancy Creek.
Visitors accessing the Georgetown neighborhood use this wooden walkway to reach the recreational club, or follow the multi-use trail to connect with the other parks. This leg of the trail is currently being built by the DOT.
This concludes our tour of Two Bridges Park and its connecting trail. I love this park and will frequently return to visit.
I commend the City of Dunwoody and the Department of Parks and Recreation for staying the course and building a sweet escape from the Mall area’s hustle and bustle.