The Outdoor Activity Center
Established in 1975 as the Bush Mountain Outdoor Activity Center, the initial purpose of the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC) was to involve children and adults in environmental issues through education about conservation, ecology, and the natural environment.
Located approximately five miles from downtown Atlanta, this 26-acre urban nature preserve includes about 2.0 miles of trails, as well as a team-building ropes course, and a children’s nature-themed playground. Among the learning, facilities are a treehouse classroom, a 650-gallon freshwater aquarium, and a multi-purpose building. Adjacent to the facility is a community-run vegetable garden and a practice lot for the Atlanta Black Crackers, a former Negro League baseball team, and a unique sustainable urban farming system, Bioponica.
OAC is located approximately 5 miles from downtown Atlanta, at 1442 Richland Road, Atlanta, GA 30310. The site has been integral to the Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools Systems.
WAWA’s environmental programs at the OAC engage the entire community with nature based activities throughout the 26-acre old-growth forest, seeking to impact the visitor’s attitudes and behaviors about nature. Participants learn about the importance of their role as stewards of a healthy and sustainable environment.
Celebrating the
Outdoor Activity Center
WAWA 50th Anniversary Oral History Project
The WAWA 50th Anniversary Oral History Project uplifts the voices of Black and Indigenous communities in North and Southwest Atlanta, weaving together histories of resilience, environmental justice, and Afrofuturist visions of liberation. Through in-depth interviews, we are reclaiming narratives connected to the Bush Mountain Community, Outdoor Activity Center (OAC), and surrounding areas—establishing their significance as vital cultural and historical landmarks. This project not only contributes to national historic recognition but also brings these stories to life through interactive signage, transforming the OAC into an outdoor museum. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, we honor the “Watershed Warriors,” whose legacies shape our past, present, and future.
Book Your Next Event
Outdoor Activity Center
The Outdoor Activity Center is a beautiful venue to host your nature centered event. The space has been utilized for weddings, baby showers, film screenings, book signings, and more. Our team at West Atlanta Watershed Alliance facilitates the space and can answer your questions.
