Fun Flows Freely at Etowah River Park
Canton offers an exciting blend of nature, entertainment, and recreation because of its unique location on the edge of the Appalachian mountains and the cusp of metro Atlanta.
With a growing trail network and beautiful parks, the city has plenty for those seeking to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors.
Canton’s Etowah River Park has become a hub where community entertainment, sporting events, and everyday recreation has come together since its opening in 2015, giving you an exceptional place to enjoy all the area offers.
Nestled along the Etowah riverbed, it is named for and tucked away behind the Brown Industrial Park. Etowah River Park is fifty-eight acres of green grass and nature trails. A large greenspace in the main area of the park is surrounded by a quarter-mile loop perfect for walking, running, and biking. The trail also expands west with a half-mile shaded route which passes over the Etowah and connects to Heritage Park.
An expansion that started in January 2020 allows visitors to walk an additional one-and-three-quartermiles under Interstate 575, and along the river’s natural scenery. The park is dog-friendly, and an afternoon stroll at the Etowah River Park will surely introduce you to some new canine friends. An inclusive playground offers options for children.
A new project slated to be completed by the end of the summer is the trail expansion that will connect Heritage Park to Boling Park, allowing pedestrians to walk along the Etowah River for another one-and-a-half miles. The city is planning a potential connection to The Mill on Etowah along the walking path as well. With the connectivity and open space, visitors have almost four miles of walking trails that branch out from Etowah River Park.
The park has also become a hub for entertainment. The amphitheater serves as a gathering area for thousands of patrons during popular events like Riverfest, several annual charity 5K’s, and the city’s own River Rock Concert Series. This summer, the River Rock Series returned as a two-day weekend event on July 21-22. Community members were able to enjoy craft booths, food and drink vendors, local musicians, and three well-known ‘90s country artists headlining the event: Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, and Collin Raye. It’s a music festival right here in our own community.
For families, the Etowah River Park offers many opportunities to spend quality time outside in a safe environment. A canoe and kayak launch along the river provides easy access for water play during spring and summer.
The park's large, inclusive playground allows children of all abilities to play together. The inclusive additions include a wheelchair accessible ramp onto the playset, ADA-compliant swings, including two generational swings that allow a parent or caregiver to swing with their child. A rubber surface around the swings allows easier access for wheelchairs. Sign language and braille panels on the playground also make it an experience for children with vision or hearing impairments.
The Etowah River Park is Canton’s hub for all things recreation and entertainment. Bring the family for a picnic or come enjoy the scenic Etowah River.
This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.