Milton Recreation, Parks, and Gardens
Many residents of Milton are horse owners who also own stables and it is very common to see people riding horses around Milton’s residential neighborhoods on weekends. Horseback riding is a very popular sport in the area and the nearby Wills Park Equestrian Center hosts a wide variety of recreational events for horse lovers. Located on 50 rolling acres of fields and woods, the Wills Park Equestrian Center contains 3 show rings, 2 separate schooling rings, 8 shed row type barns with covered aisles, and 298 horse stalls. Annual events include horse shows, dog shows, rodeos with bull riding, and arena polo. People can also purchase riding passes that allow them to practice riding all year long on the facility grounds. The Wills Park Equestrian Center is located at 11915 Wills Road in Alpharetta on the west side of the intersection with Highway 9, (678) 297-6120.
Opportunities for recreational fun abound in the region surrounding Milton
People who prefer walking, jogging, bicycling or rollerblading can take advantage of the 12 ft. wide paved path that winds through the woods at Big Creek Greenway in Alpharetta. On the east side of Big Creek just south of Webb Bridge Road, more extreme styles of mountain biking can be practiced on several dirt mountain bike trails.
At the Cooler Family Skate Center, people of all ages can enjoy figure skating, roller hockey and ice hockey in either of two 85 ft. x 200 ft. Ice Arenas or the 85 ft. x 185 ft. Roller Arena. Renowned as one of the finest family skate centers in America, the Cooler Family Skate Center is located at 10800 Davis Drive in Alpharetta, (770) 649-6600.
High-tech indoor entertainment is available at local fun centers
For those who enjoy high tech entertainment, the Startime Entertainment Center provides fun for the whole family with arcade video games, billiard tables, and The Funny Farm Comedy Club where famous comedians often perform. Startime Entertainment Center is at 608 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. For current information about the comedy show schedule, call (770) 993-5411.
Also located in Roswell is the Andretti Speed Lab, an entertainment complex featuring rock climbing simulators with a ropes course, high-performance carts, a video arcade, a restaurant and a sports bar. The Andretti Speed Lab is located at 11000 Alpharetta Hwy., Roswell, (770) 992-5688.
There are also several beautiful parks and gardens in the Milton area
Bell Memorial Park at 15245 Bell Park Road in Milton is a public park with 4 baseball fields, pavilions, and a playground. Birmingham Park, Providence Park, Crabapple Community Center, and Bethwell Community Center are also owned by the City of Milton.
At the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, visitors can enjoy 46 acres of forest with 1.5 miles of hiking trails that wind past a scenic creek with rocky shoals, ravines and picturesque cliffs. The center is situated on a cotton plantation with historic buildings that date back to the late 1800’s. Autrey Mill also offers special programs and events for public enjoyment including Young Artist Days, Open Music Invitations, trail walks, and other environmentally related activities. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center is located at 9770 Autrey Mill Road in Alpharetta. For information about current programs and events, call (770) 360-8844.
Many residents of Milton are passionate gardeners and there is a meet-up group called the Milton Gardening Club with approximately 96 members who get together on a regular basis to discuss gardening methods and exchange information. One goal of the club is to have a Milton plant swap in the spring of 2009.
For those who are interested in exploring local history, the Alpharetta Historical Society offers tours of the Historic Mansell House and Gardens, a beautiful early 19th century Victorian home located at 1835 Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta, (770) 475-4663.