While we are on the subject of parks, (Stone Mountain qualifying as one really BIG park), I'd like to take a minute to ramble on about my favorite free parks in the ATL. Of course I've always been a big fan of Centennial Olympic Park...complete with groovy fountain that kids can stroll through and all of those personalized bricks for some light reading while your kids get soaked. Another sure bet is the city park just off Main St. in Lilburn. Outfitted with lots of climbing options and the usual goods: monkey bars, swings, the best feature here is the CSX line that runs through town. Seeing an actual train is a gamble, but when they do come along kids go bananas and run across the open grassy field to get a closer look (no need to worry about anyone getting in danger, the track is fenced off from the park.)
We often hit the park at Chastain for a nice shaded play experience....and posh play equipment to boot. Naturally I also use this opportunity to swing by a few of my favorite Buckhead spots such as The Corner Bakery (at Piedmont and East Paces Rd), for a loaf of gorgeous hand crafted bread and a killer brownie, which can make the drive home so much more pleasant. I'm always game for a new place to play with my brood, if anyone has a best kept park secret out there, do share!