Atlas County Park
As a student at Goodrich High School, two of my classes often included multiple trips ‘tromping around the woods’ with Mr. Sven Anderson. That was how Environmental Science I and II were, and we went out onto this land before it was a park to learn about the various environmental factors at play. Mr. Anderson knew the property owner, so we had permission to explore and learn here.
The land was put up for sale in the mid-2010s and became a Genesee County Park in 2018. Atlas County Park, named after Atlas Township, features hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and a quiet place to walk the dog or experience nature. The area used to be home to a railroad, and part of the trails here are on the old rail line. At times, you can see the remnants of the wooden ties.
The Kearsley Creek, which I mentioned in the post about the Goodrich Commons, winds through the park, and at the far end of the trails, you can see the beginning of the Atlas Mill Pond, which is dammed near downtown Atlas and has been for nearly two centuries.
We haven’t hauled any massive fish out of the Kearsley Creek here, but expect to find panfish, creek chubs, and largemouth bass. A few friends have reported catching pike here, but they were quite skinny, similar to under the dam at the Goodrich Commons. Further up the Kearsley Creek, the DNR has stocked trout, but I’ve never heard of anyone catching one in Goodrich.
The trails at Atlas County Park are well maintained, there are numerous benches to take a break after a long hike, and when stocked, there are dog poop bags at the start of the trail. There aren’t bathrooms, but there is a portapotty most of the year, and it’s always been clean when I’ve used it.
No matter the time of year, Atlas County Park is worth visiting!
