Growing up here in the Atlanta area, we lived in the shadow of Kennesaw Mountain all these years (since the early 60’s) and the mountain, which is a beloved national park in the area, was part of my growing-up memories.
I have spent many an afternoon hiking that mountain, walking back into the cool trails with the trees shading and cooling, getting exercise on the well-maintained trails that are extensive in the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park commemorates the 1864 Atlanta Campaign during the Civil War. There’s a visitor center with all the history of the park with information, a short film, exhibits, and a bookstore. This is a must-see park for Civil War buffs. There are even cannons on top of the mountain that date back to the Civil War. I grew up with this history right in my backyard and loved having this looming mountain nearby. It’s the biggest bump on the horizon for miles around!
I was so excited when we got this promotional opportunity to share our favorite national park with our readers, since Kennesaw Mountain is near and dear to my heart and my growing up experience. I can’t think of a better park I’d love to promote and share with my readers. It’s a beautiful park, with acres and acres of woods, open fields and historical monuments. On top of the mountain is an overlook that offers a panoramic view of downtown Atlanta and I can just imagine how it must have been during wartime, with that high lookout opportunity and being able to see the enemy before they approached.
Thank goodness the war is over, but Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park remains as a historical and beautiful park to enjoy with our families and friends. Having a picnic out there is just such a fun summertime event to take part in. Short walks or long hikes are some of the top recreational activities to do at the park. There’s even a trail that goes straight up the mountain and I’ve hiked that one many times. It’s a great workout!
We are going to be having our picnic at the area of the park known as Cheatham Hill, where the fiercest fighting of the battle raged at what came to be called the “Dead Angle.” Along a trail to the imposing Illinois Monument are Confederate earthworks and markers where Union soldiers fell. Near the base of the monument is the entrance to a tunnel begun by Union soldiers intending to blow up the Confederate position with a mine.
I’m excited to take part in a BBQ lunch with some friends and family, along with another local blogger who also loves the park. We are going to enjoy our afternoon, with some recreational activities at the park, such as hiking and frisbee throwing. There’s nothing more fun than eating BBQ out in the open air and enjoying the summer time activities that this time of year brings.
I’m honored to be a part of this event in working with Coca-Cola to get the word out about the wonderful park treasures that we have here in our country.
This is the second annual America Is Your Park campaign sponsored by the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative and their goal is to encourage people to play, be active and help their favorite national, state, or local park win a recreation grant provided by Coca-Cola Live Positively. I can’t think of anything I’d love better than helping my favorite local national park, Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park win a grant!
You can help by voting for your favorite park to win the title of “America’s Favorite Park” by visiting LivePositively.com/americasparks. First place winner receives $100,000 and the title of America’s Favorite Park, second place wins $50,000 and third place gets $25,000.
Voting runs until September 6, 2011. I’m going to do my best to help my favorite park win, by voting often! I would love to see them take top honors, since this park has such a special place in my childhood heart and growing up years.
There are other ways to vote for your favorite park, including uploading photos of the park to LivePositively.com and checking in on Facebook Places when you go to your park. More information about these methods on LivePositively.com/americasparks.
Do you have a special park in your area too?
tricia says
We have San Jacinto park where the battleship is here on the Texas coast : o )
Mom on the Run says
Well, you know this is my park, too. Which is why we put up with all the various interesting things that living in a 1960’s house brings…..we can hop on the trails just by walking across the street. Pigeon Hill is a perfect workout–not so hard as climbing to the top of the mountain, but you get your hill work in, an hour and 15 minutes door to door. Enjoy!
Marjorie says
We LOVE Kennesaw Mt. Battlefield Park and the whole area! They held a wonderful encampment at the Visitor’s center back in June to celebrate the 147th anniversary of the Battle of Kennesaw complete with tents, music, re-enactors in full costume, infantry, signal corps, cannon fire :-), crafts for the kids and more. I hope you have a wonderful BBQ at CH. My dd has been running cross country 3 mornings/ week at CH all summer so I have strolled the trails around the monuments time and again waiting for her to finish. Every time I pull in there I feel at home and lucky to live here – there is so much history and beauty everywhere.
jeanne winters says
Beautiful! So lush and green! We have an abundance of national parks out here: Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon. I am a fan of all our national parks! What a treasure each one is!