Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a part of the National Park Service, is a beautiful stretch of the Chattahoochee River that runs from below Buford Dam at Lake Lanier to northwest Atlanta, just inside the I-285 perimeter. This scenic area covers 48 miles of the river and spans over 6,000 acres of land.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Nearly 50 years ago, President Jimmy Carter designated the 48-mile section of the Chattahoochee River from Lake Lanier to the City of Atlanta as the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), a 7,000-acre area managed by the National Park Service. During the bill signing, President Carter remarked on “the need for well-preserved recreation areas [in the immediate vicinity] of major urban centers.”
Paces Mill in the Palisades
The Palisades is one of two CRNRA units within Cumberland, and it contains 22-acre Paces Mill. The most urban unit of CRNRA, it is located along the Chattahoochee River and serves as the “front door” to Cumberland for people visiting from Atlanta and around the world.
Paces Mill connects to 38 miles of multi-use trails for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Beloved for its pristine nature views and activities for everyday visitors, Paces Mill also acts as the main takeout point for kayakers, tubers, paddleboarders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. A colorful ecosystem of plants and wildlife thrives here, creating a vibrant habitat in every season.
Palisades Land Unit at Paces Mill
One of two national park units within Cumberland, the 22-acre Palisades Land Unit at Paces Mill is the most urban unit of the CRNRA. It’s located along the Chattahoochee River and serves as the “front door” to Cumberland for people visiting from Atlanta.
The park connects to 38 miles of multi-use trails for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Beloved for its pristine nature views and activities for everyday visitors, Paces Mill also acts as the main takeout point for kayakers, tubers, paddleboarders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. A colorful ecosystem of plants and wildlife thrives here, creating a vibrant habitat in every season.
Refreshing Atlanta’s Best Kept Secret
Despite its popularity, the Paces Mill has seen little investment since its National Recreation Area designation nearly five decades ago and has fallen into disrepair. New Day Palisades is a $15.8 million project to renew, restore, and rehabilitate Paces Mill and is a partnership between One Cumberland, the Cumberland Community Improvement District, and the National Park Service’s Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
ONE Cumberland
One Cumberland is committed to ensuring Cumberland’s national parkland receives sustainable investment, care, and recognition. Established in 2023 by the Cumberland CID, the nonprofit aims to create a greater sense of ownership, affiliation, and connectivity between Cumberland and the community. One Cumberland’s mission is to protect and conserve the natural resources of Cumberland and establish the district as a vibrant, diverse community through the enrichment of cultural amenities, quality of life, improved access, and environmental stewardship.
ONE Cumberland
One Cumberland is committed to ensuring Cumberland’s national parkland receives sustainable investment, care, and recognition. Established in 2022 by the Cumberland CID, the nonprofit aims to create a greater sense of ownership, affiliation, and connectivity between Cumberland and the community. Examples of One Cumberland projects may include bringing together local artists for a public art project, hosting community events, activating green spaces and trails, or educating and engaging community members to preserve natural resources.
Cumberland Community Improvement District
The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 commercial property owners pay additional property taxes, and the CCID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant presence throughout the Cumberland area.
Each year, the CCID provides value to the community by initiating and leading community enhancements, making Cumberland a better place to work, live, and operate businesses. Today, the District has a $26.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy. Cumberland is home to leading companies, including Piedmont Office Realty Trust, the Atlanta Braves, The Home Depot, Papa Johns, TKE, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more. For additional information regarding the Cumblerland CID, visit cumberlandcid.org.
Community Investment
Multi-Use Trail Development
Park Enhancements
Environmental Stewardship
CCID’s Impact
Over the past 36 years, the CCID has successfully invested over $180 million in various projects, significantly improving the quality of life for residents and visitors. Key achievements include the development of multi-use trails, park enhancements, and community programs that promote environmental stewardship.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
A wildly unique space, CRNRA offers recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature in the middle of bustling Atlanta. Not to mention, it supplies more than 70 percent of metro Atlanta’s drinking water and provides countless economic benefits via ecotourism. The greenspace welcomed more than three million visitors in 2023, making it the 29th most-visited national park in the country, and generating $260 million for the local economy.
CRNRA History
The CRNRA is nearly 50 years old and includes the 15-unit section of the Chattahoochee River from Lake Lanier to the City of Atlanta—often referred to as a “string of pearls.” Two of these units fall within the Cumberland CID’s boundaries, home to 840 acres of parkland (an area equivalent to New York City’s Central Park).
