About Garth Nature Area
Garth Nature area has 1.6 miles of gravel trails around the wetlands, a fenced leash-free dog park, restroom, and is a trailhead for the Bear Creek Trail. An abundance of birds and other wetlands wildlife make the wetland trails an interesting walk. Trail users can travel west on the Bear Creek Trail from Garth Nature Area to Cosmo Park (2.5 miles) or travel east on the Bear Creek Trail from Garth Nature Area to Albert-Oakland Park (2.3 miles).
A gravel trail loops from Bear Creek Trail to the north encircling a wetland area. The north wetlands loop trail is 0.5 miles in length. The distance between points where the wetlands loop leaves and re-connects to the main trail is an additional 0.2 mile making the total loop 0.7 miles in length. From the parking lot around the north wetland trail and back is 1.1 miles.
The fenced, 3-acre leash-free area for dogs encompasses a pond and has picnic tables on site.
- Acres: 52 acres
- Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Nature Trail Miles: 1.6 miles
- Map of Garth Nature Areaopens PDF file
Park amenities
Dog – leash free area
The 3-acre dog park at Garth Nature Area is fenced all around and has a pond and picnic tables. Parking is available and a port-a-pot is on site. Dog owners may also enjoy taking their dogs on leash for a walk on the 1.6 miles of wetland trails nearby or getting on the 4.8-mile Bear Creek Trail.
Read more about our dog parks and leash free areas.
Features
- Approximately 3-acres with pond
- Dog wash station
- Drinking fountain with pet bowl (not available during winter months)
- Fenced
Outdoors
Parking (40 spaces, includes 2 ADA)
Picnic areas
Restrooms (open year-round)
Trails
- Trailhead
Park history
This area was constructed in 2006/2007 and funded by a Recreational Trails Grant in the amount of $42,000 and $28,000 from the Park Sales Tax. Another $14,400 funded by the Park Sales Tax was used to construct the fenced leash-free area for dogs.
The site of the Garth Nature Area was initially used as a sewage treatment facility for the City of Columbia. A portion of the trail in the nature area was developed from an access road to the old wastewater lagoons. One of the former lagoons was transformed into a wetlands located in the north portion of the nature area.
Park dedication
Date: May 12, 2007
Dedication Programopens PDF file
Capital improvement projects and council items
year completed | project description | council items |
---|---|---|
2007 | Garth Nature Area Improvements: Trail, wetlands, signage, and dog park | View Council Item |
2009 | Park Lot Expansion | View Council Item |
2015 | New Trailhead Restroom | View Council Item |