Stone Mountain’s Olympic Legacy

STONE MOUNTAIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Stone Mountain Park is one of Georgia’s most popular attractions. During the 1996 Summer Olympics, it was the venue for archery, cycling and tennis. 16 years later, it’s easily Georgia’s best outdoor gym.

Stone Mountain Park’s Public Relations Manager Jeanine Jones says, “Our attractions like Sky Hike and Geyser Towers, they let you be active and you get to go on an adventure…”

With more than a dozen attractions, historical sights, and woodlands to last for days the park has something for just about everyone, including your four-legged friends.

Karen Caswelch visited the park from Indiana. She says, “We have young kids and we have older people so it’s kind of a balance.”

Another park visitor, Brian LaFluer and his canine friend Shelby live active lifestyles by training for dog dock diving competitions and they enjoy the park as a place to do just that.

LaFluer says, “All these are very athletic dogs, all these go through very extensive training just like an Olympian would…We do different running exercises, different jumping exercises, mental exercises everything else….”

Since dock diving isn’t for everyone, the park is also the home to the world’s largest chunk of granite. It is 825 feet to the top of Stone Mountain or you can walk the 1.3 mile trail.

Caswelch took the Summit Sky Ride to the top and said, “It’s beautiful, we’re out here, you’re up on top of the mountain, you’ve got this great view of Atlanta…”

Whether you’re an Olympian, a novice, or just a spectator – Stone Mountain Park is sure to bring out your love for the games.

“I think what we like best about the Olympics is to see the world come together in relative unity for a change and to have some of the strife put aside,” said Dan Barham, visiting from Alabama.

For more information on the park visit www.stonemountainpark.com.