Sandy Creek Park

Sandy Creek Park surrounds Lake Chapman and features a variety of activities and facilities. Picnic sites, wooded trails, swimming, playgrounds, fishing, dog runs, disc golf course, sports area, and rental pavilion facilities are highlights of this large park.

LAKE:

Beautiful Lake Chapman is a 260 acre freshwater lake created by a dam on Sandy Creek. Lake Chapman is home to some fantastic fishing as well! You won't be catching any sharks or stingrays from the banks but you can catch any of these: largemouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish, bluegills and redear sunfish (both referred to as bream), grass and common carp, and brown bullheads.

BEACH:
Sandy Creek Park is the site of the only beach in Athens-Clarke County. More than 28.000 square feet of sand and more than a half-acre of water designated for wading and swimming make this one of the most popular amenities at Sandy Creek Park.

The Beach and Swimming Area are open year-round. Canoe, Kayak, and Paddleboard rentals are available, in season. 

ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND:

Nestled near the park's serene beach, a new playground emerges! Designed to embrace inclusivity and fun for children of all ages and abilities, the new playground features a turf carpet mat for safe play, a refreshing misting station at the entrance, and a perimeter fence with comfortable benches for guardians to easily keep an eye on their child. It's the perfect blend of accessibility and enjoyment, ensuring every child can play freely.

Highlights of the playground include:

• Alex’s Lemonade Stand play feature
  Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research, with over $250 million donated from across the U.S. and Canada. Named in honor of Alexandra Scott whom had cancer as a child and raised over $1 million for pediatric cancer research within her lifetime one cup of lemonade at a time.


• A roller slide that does not create static that can damage cochlear implants. 


• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) adjacent boards for non-verbal communication. 


• Ramps parallel to balance beams for parallel play throughout the playground. 


• A hill with an embedded slide for optional play without having to transfer from a mobility device. 


• A ground level spinner adjacent to the swings to allow play without requiring a transfer from a mobility device. 


• Ample shade over the play structures and benches/seating including over 15 individual shades. 


• Signage in Braille and communication boards featuring American Sign Language (ASL). 


• A “quiet corner” sensory space for winding down away from the playground but within the playground perimeter fence. 


• Rocking boat feature designed to accommodate people who utilize a mobility device. 
  
  

  TRAILS:
  There are over 14 miles of trails at Sandy Creek Park. The trails are laid out over easy to moderate terrain and good for hikers and walkers of all ages and abilities, as well as equestrians! There are three different trails, each with its own trail-head and clearly marked throughout. Bicycles are not permitted on any trail at Sandy Creek Park. Dogs must be leashed.

  
  
  
  
  • Lakeside Trail
    7.5 miles, moderate difficulty
    Lakeside Trail follows the shore of Lake Chapman. While the trail can be accessed from a number of locations in the developed areas of the park, the trailhead (mile 0) is accessed from Parking Lot 14 adjacent to Restroom 3 and Parking Lot 15 adjacent to Picnic Shelter 3. 
     
  
  
  • Cook's Trail / Oxbow Loop 
    3.1 miles, moderate difficulty
    This trail runs creek-side through woods, over boardwalks and natural surface. Starting at Sandy Creek Park you can get in a nice 5 mile hike by hiking south bound on Cooks' trail looping Oxbow Trail, and then returning on Cook's Trail to the park.
     
  
  
  • Buckeye Horse Trail
    4.2 miles, moderate difficulty
    Buckeye Trail begins across from Parking Lot 14 just to the right of the horse mounting station and follows the park boundary northward to a dead-end furnished with a picnic table. This hilly trail provides forested views with occasional glimpses of Lake Chapman. Riders should always use the provided bridges when crossing streams. Riding through the creeks severely damages the banks leading to accelerated erosion. This trail does not loop, so you MUST return the way you came. In addition to special horse rules, all park rules apply.
  
  
  
  

  MORE THINGS TO DO:

  
  
  
  
  • Dog Park areas, both public and private (by reservation)
  
  
  • Fishing
  
  
  • Boating
  
  
  • Disc Golf, 27 holes (extra fee applies)
  
  
  • Playgrounds
  
  
  • Basketball and volleyball courts
  
  
  • Pavillions for rent
  
  
  • Picnic areas
  
  
  
  

  ADMISSION:

  
  
  
  
  • $2 per person for ages 4-64
  
  
  • FREE for ages 3 and younger/65 and older
  
  
  
  

  HOURS:

  
  
  
  
  • Open Tuesday - Sunday. Closed Mondays.
  
  
  • Winter hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  
  
  • Summer hours: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  
  
  
  

  2024 BOATING INFORMATION:

  
  
  
  
  • Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend. Weekends only, weather permitting.
  
  
  • 10:00am - 4:00pm (last rental time is 3:00pm). All boats must be back by 4:00pm.
  
  
  • $8.00 per boat per hour. Two hour maximum per rental.
  
  
  • Rentals are permitted for 18 years and older.
  
  
  • 12-17 years = can have own boat but must have adult out on lake within reasonable distance.
  
  
  • 11 years and under = must physically ride in a boat WITH an Adult