Westside Park opened to the public this week, becoming Atlanta’s largest park. Over 200 acres of paths, lawns and playgrounds surround the picturesque Bellwood Quarry, which the city turned into a reservoir to hold up to 2.4 billion gallons of water.

Here are some things to keep in mind before visiting the park.

Location:

If you’re driving to the park, there are two main entrances off Johnson Road with free parking lots, located around 1600 and 1660 Johnson Road. There are also pedestrian entrances off Johnson Road to the north and at the end of Grove Park Place on the southern side of the park. You can also get into the park via the Proctor Creek Greenway, which starts near the Bankhead MARTA station.

Hours:

City parks are open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.

Amenities:

Westside Park has a number of walking and biking paths and trails, as well a playgrounds, open lawns, restrooms, and pavilions for special events. One of the hallmarks of the park is the grand overlook over the reservoir.

Crystal Betts (left) stops and talks with other dog owners while walking along one of the paths that runs through Westside Park on Friday, August 20, 2021. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Credit: Steve Schaefer

icon to expand image

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Is it ADA accessible?

Yes, most of the paths are ADA-compliant.

Can I swim in the reservoir?

Nope, the reservoir is fenced off and all recreational activities are off-limits. Other city park rules are available online.?

What movies and TV shows have been filmed at Westside Park?

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part 1) used Bellwood Quarry as one of its settings. Bellwood Quarry was also used in the television shows The Walking Dead and Stranger Things. Here’s a running of list of shows set there from imdb.com.

About the Author

Keep Reading

An image of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant is displayed as metro Atlanta firefighters and the community come together for a memorial service in his honor at Truist Park, Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Atlanta. The 21-year firefighting veteran died Sept. 8 after battling a fire at a film company warehouse. He became trapped in the blaze while trying to rescue another firefighter. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / Arvin.Temkar@ajc.com

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com