Review: Westside Park

Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? You might recognize this park from television shows like "The Walking Dead." The former Bellwood Quarry has been converted into this 280-acre park with beautiful skyline views. Atlanta's Westside Park is a thing of beauty for nature lovers and photographers alike. A sculptural gateway that resembles dinosaur ribs, designed by Portman Architects, leads you into the spacious park with two and a half miles of paved trails that loop around a reservoir. There's a playground for kids and plenty of green space for those who want to have a picnic or just sprawl out. Bring your sneakers, it's a bit hilly.

Any standout features or must-sees? You didn't come all this way just to walk on a trail, did you? The crown jewel here is the Grand Overlook. You'll have to climb some steps to get there, but once you do you're rewarded with a beautiful view of the reservoir and city skyline off in the distance.

Was it easy to get around? The 2.5 miles of paved trails are ADA compliant, but the park is hilly. There are steps to reach the Grand Overlook that can prove to be challenging so it's good to go mentally prepared. Parking is easy with two lots to choose from and there's plenty of signage to help you find your way. If you're there in the evening the park is well-lit and has plenty of callboxes available.

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? If you're looking for something to do that's free, this is the place for you. Parking and admission are both free, and if you need to catch a breath of fresh air this is a lovely place to do it. It's also great spot if you're a fan of "The Walking Dead" as the reservoir is famous for its appearance in that show. If you don't like dealing with inclines, you may want to choose a different park.