McDaniel Farm Park like trip into past, with gardens, trails

Q: Can you tell me about McDaniel Farm Park?

A: The 125-acre park is behind Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. It has two separate entrances.

“What is unique about this original piece of land is that it was obtained through the drawing in the 1820 land lottery and has remained intact for over 200 years,” according to Gwinnett County’s program supervisor Nathan Griswell.

“The land was passed down through generations and was a fully active farm until 1999, when the last member of the family (Archie McDaniel) who lived and worked on the farm passed,” he said.

Interested in the restored farm life depicted from days gone by? Head to the historic entrance.

Once you arrive, you will notice how quiet, well-kept and clean the area is. Quite a change from a couple of miles away.

As you enter the grounds, you will see displays of old farm items: a sulky rake, four disc cultivator and wheel weights, to name a few.

There are several gar- dens on the grounds. Popular crops grown in Georgia at the time were soybeans, corn, wheat, peanuts, cotton and grain sorghum. Pears and apples were also grown on the farm, and adjacent land was used for livestock.

Timber from the property was used to build the farmhouse in 1874.

A blacksmith shed, smokehouse, chicken coop, carriage house, tenant house, barn and a well house occupy the land as well.

From Trails.com: “When

people think of antebellum Georgia, they picture the mas- sive cotton plantations of the coast. In the Atlanta area, however, most agriculture before the Civil War was subsistence farming, raising enough corn and wheat to meet only the needs of the family.”

On a recent Sunday, a newly engaged couple were having pictures taken on the bridge to celebrate their special day.

Photo sessions were in full swing at the farmhouse with about 16 miniature col- lies and their owners.

The park entrance hosts a farm-themed playground and a dog park (separate areas for small and large dogs).

There are 3 miles of paved trails and a few unpaved tr a ils c ombined. Both parks contain a pavilion, restrooms, grills, picnic areas and benches.

“What is neat nowadays is that it’s become a wildlife haven tucked away in between all the hustle and bustle of life,” Griswell said. “It’s a great place to walk around, enjoy the scenery and learn some history.”

The main park’s entrance is at 3020 McDaniel Road, Duluth. The historic park is at 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth.

CONTRIBUTED BY KATHRYN KICKLITER Historic McDaniel Farmhouse was part of a “fully active farm until 1999, when the last member of the family who lived and worked on the farm passed.”