Reclaiming the Wild: Constitution Lakes Trailblazing Project

National Trails Day Stewardship Experience

In Partnership with Georgia Conservancy & DeKalb County RPCA

Saturday, June 6
9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Constitution Lakes Park | Atlanta, Georgia

Program Overview

Join us for a special National Trails Day stewardship experience at Constitution Lakes Park (CLP) as Georgia Conservancy and DeKalb County Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs launch the beginning of an ongoing trailblazing collaboration focused on restoration, access, conservation, and community connection within one of DeKalb County’s most ecologically significant greenspaces.

Constitution Lakes Park is a powerful example of ecological resilience within an urban landscape. Once shaped by industrial activity, clay excavation, rail infrastructure, and decades of environmental disturbance, the landscape has slowly reawakened through the return of wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat, and community stewardship. Today, the park serves as an important refuge for birds, pollinators, amphibians, and countless native species while providing opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, fishing, photography, environmental education, and nature exploration.

This project arrives during an especially meaningful moment in the park’s story. Constitution Lakes Park has officially been accepted as a nominee site for the inaugural Georgia Birding Trail — a statewide initiative led during the centennial celebration year of Birds Georgia honoring some of Georgia’s most important birding landscapes and outdoor destinations.

As part of this long-term stewardship effort, Georgia Conservancy has partnered in support of ongoing trail restoration and access improvements within the park through a collaborative “Trailblazing Project” initiative designed to reconnect people with the landscape while helping protect sensitive habitat areas for generations to come.This inaugural workday will also support the future unveiling of additional community-centered projects at CLP, including the upcoming Forest Fashion Show & Festival — a creative environmental experience exploring sustainability, conservation, fashion, and ecological storytelling within the forest landscape itself.

Program Leaders & Partners

This stewardship initiative is collaboratively led by:

• Georgia Conservancy
• DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs
• South DeKalb Park Naturalist Program

Special project coordination support by:
Shaundon Moore, Georgia Conservancy-Stewardship Trips Manager

Additional project inspiration and alignment:

• Birds Georgia
• Georgia Birding Trail Initiative

Weather Contingency

This stewardship experience will be held rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe due to severe weather, flooding, lightning, or hazardous trail conditions.Participants will be notified of any cancellations or schedule changes through Eventbrite and registered email communication.

Where to Meet

Constitution Lakes Park
1305 S River Industrial Blvd SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Participants should meet at the semi-circle stone seating wall located within the main parking area between the park’s two primary trailheads.

Look for:

• DeKalb County RPCA Staffer: Naturalist Tasha
• Georgia Conservancy Staffer: Shaundon Moore
• Stewardship tools and supplies

Please arrive no later than 8:50 AM to allow time for orientation and team organization before project work begins.

What to Bring

Please wear work-appropriate skin protective clothing and closed-toe shoes or boots that can get dirty.Recommended items:

• Water (1–2 liters minimum)
• Snacks or light lunch
• Work gloves (optional if you prefer your own)
• Bug spray
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, scarf, etc.)

All tools, safety equipment, and instruction will be provided. No prior experience is necessary.

Recommended Ages & Participation

This experience is best suited for older youth, teens, and adults comfortable participating in outdoor stewardship activities involving walking, lifting, bending, and working with natural materials.

Families with youth participants are welcome; however, all minors must remain supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the program.

Volunteer Stewardship Activities

Volunteers will assist with the early phases of establishing and restoring sustainable nature trail corridors throughout the site.A major focus of this project includes the creative reuse of invasive plant species already present within the park.

Rather than discarding removed material, invasive privet and other natural debris will be repurposed into rustic “primitive fencing” used to help define trails, guide visitor movement, discourage off-trail impacts, and support habitat protection efforts.Stewardship activities may include:

• Trail corridor clearing and reopening
• Invasive privet removal
• Primitive trail fencing installation
• Moving branches and natural materials
• Trail edge definition and corridor shaping
• Habitat-conscious restoration practices
• Collaborative stewardship discussions surrounding the future of CLP

Participants will also have opportunities throughout this ongoing project series to help shape the evolving identity of the park through future trail naming submissions, stewardship conversations, and community engagement opportunities.

Why “Reclaiming the Wild” Matters

Reclaiming the wild is not simply about clearing pathways through a forest. It is about restoring thoughtful and responsible connections between people, place, and the landscape itself.

At Constitution Lakes Park, intentional trail development helps:

• protect sensitive habitat
• guide environmentally responsible recreation
• reduce off-trail damage
• improve navigation and accessibility
• create deeper opportunities for environmental education, birding, stewardship, and community connection

Each trail corridor established through this project represents a long-term investment in the future identity, protection, and public experience of Constitution Lakes Park.

Together, we are helping steward a landscape that continues transforming from a once-disturbed industrial corridor into a thriving ecological refuge for both wildlife and community.

Physical Expectations

Participants should expect moderate physical activity throughout the morning, including walking uneven trails, bending, lifting branches, carrying natural materials, and standing for extended periods of time.

Walking distances throughout the project area may range from approximately 0.5–1.5 miles depending on assigned stewardship tasks and trail conditions.

Accessibility & Terrain Notice

This project takes place along natural surface trails with uneven terrain, roots, loose soil, mud, dense vegetation, and wetland-adjacent environments. Some areas may include moderate slopes or standing water depending on weather conditions. June temperatures may also be hot, humid, and buggy.Stewardship tasks will be team-based and adaptable based on comfort level, trail conditions, and volunteer ability.

Accessibility (ADA Notice)

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs is committed to providing inclusive and accessible programs for all participants. Reasonable accommodations may be available upon request. To request accommodations, please contact the program organizer at least 48 hours prior to the event.

Participation Notice, Waiver & Media Release

By registering for or attending this program, participants acknowledge that outdoor stewardship and recreation activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to uneven terrain, weather conditions, physical exertion, wetland environments, exposure to insects or vegetation, and the use of hand tools. Participation is voluntary, and attendees assume full responsibility for their personal safety and well-being.

Participants agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless DeKalb County Government, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs (RPCA), its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and affiliated partners from any claims, injuries, losses, damages, or liabilities arising from participation, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Food or refreshments may occasionally be served or shared during programs or volunteer experiences. Participants acknowledge that food and beverages may contain common allergens and choose to consume them at their own discretion and risk.By attending this program, participants grant permission for DeKalb County RPCA, Georgia Conservancy, and Park Naturalist-led programs to photograph, film, or otherwise record participants for educational, promotional, reporting, archival, and documentation purposes across print, digital, and social media platforms. Individual image exclusion requests may not be accommodated in public program settings.

Registration and attendance indicate acknowledgment and agreement with the Park Naturalist Program Volunteer Waiver, Food & Beverage Disclaimer, and Media Release policies maintained by DeKalb County RPCA.

Shaundon Moore & Naturalist Tasha

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher South DeKalb Parks Naturalist