An access trail leads to Sweetwater Creek itself, and traverses a hardwood forest, leading to the creekside trail with its shoals area, extended trail system, and the ruins of an old Civil War mill. Birding is slower in the summer here, since the main attraction at Sweetwater is the lake, bringing in the migratory and overwintering waterfowl. Turn right on Blairs Bridge Road, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to park. The Preserve opened in 1995 under the management of South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserves, Inc., a neighborhood organization with the goal of preserving natural spaces in the South Peachtree Creek watershed. The preserve includes wetlands and a 4-acre beaver pond, emerging pine groves, wooded uplands, and floodplain bordering South Peachtree Creek.
Wildlife habitat includes brush piles, deadfalls, dense brush, and the pond.
These diverse habitats are home to beavers, foxes, turtles, snakes, frogs, rabbits, and dozens of species of birds. Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush. Take Hwy 78, Stone Mt. Freeway, exit west toward Decatur. Hwy 78 passes North Dekalb Mall and continues up hill past Banner Ford. At intersection of Hwy 78, North Decatur Rd, and Medlock Rd, take right on Medlock Rd.