Centennial Park
4.7(4.7K)google
4.5(97)yelp
LakewalkingpicnicFamilyKayakingOutdoor
Overview
Centennial Olympic Park is a 22-acre (89,000 m2) public park located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, owned and operated by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. It was built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) as part of the infrastructure improvements for the 1996 Summer Olympics. It plays host to millions of visitors a year and several events, including a summer popular music concert series (Wednesday WindDown), the annual SweetWater 420 Fest and an annual Independence Day concert and fireworks display.
Practical Info
Mon6:30 AM 8:30 PM
Tue6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Wed6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Thu6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Fri6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Sat6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Sun6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeMid-to-late October or sunny spring evenings from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM are stellar. The park's 2.6-mile paved loop trail frames Centennial Lake beautifully under angled sunset rays that turn the water crimson. It is a peaceful window for watching local waterfowl slide across the calm water.
Getting TherePerfect里 positioned in southern Ellicott City. Driving is best: from US-29, exit onto MD-108 W (Clarksville Pike), travel 1.5 miles, make a right onto Centennial Lane, and turn right into the 'Centennial Park South' entrance which provides expansive free parking near the boat launch.
Travel Tips
- Non-county registered vehicles face mandatory parking entry fees at the West and South gates; the central lake prohibits all non-permitted private inflatable kayaks to protect natural water ecology.
- The 2.6-mile paved loop crowds heavily with high-speed cyclists on weekends; pedestrians must adhere to strict directional trail laws, keeping left and yielding right-of-way to sports bicycles.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The eastern Wildlife Boardwalk terminus offers the definitive early morning angle over the lake flats; photograph from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM to utilize low-angle backlighting for nesting herons.
Reviews
Positive
- The crown jewel of Howard County! Encircles a spectacular, glistening 54-acre lake with an immaculate 2.6-mile fully paved loop trail that offers stunning, serene views.
- Top-tier recreational utility; offering massive wooden playgrounds, tennis and ball courts, numerous lakeside pavilions, and beautiful green spaces for families.
- Meticulous civic management with frequent clean restrooms, eco-friendly litter stations along the paths, and incredibly cheap pedal boat and canoe rentals at the boathouse.
- Completely free entry and free parking across four distinct large ground lots, with wide, perfectly flat paved trails that guarantee effortless 100% ADA accessibility.
Heads up
- Faces massive crowd density on pleasant Sunday afternoons; the paved loop becomes heavily bottlenecked with cyclists, joggers, and dog walkers, requiring constant dodging.
- Due to the resident population of Canada geese, select sections of the paved walkways are routinely heavily littered with goose droppings, requiring visitors to watch their step.
- Select stretches of the lake trail lack sufficient canopy tree shade due to structural clearing, making walks during hot July middays intensely sunny and exposed.
- Concession options are very limited; beyond seasonal ice cream treats at the boat shack, there is no real dining facility, forcing all-day visitors to pack their own hearty snacks.