Nesmith Preserve (via Starr’s Mill High School)

Starr’s Mill High School is a public high school located in Fayetteville, Georgia, part of the Fayette County School System. Established in 1997, it serves grades 9 through 12 and is known for its strong academic programs, extracurricular activities, and competitive athletic teams.  The property that became Starr’s Mill was owned by Hananiah Gilcoat who build the first mill here before his death in 1825. Hillard Starr who owned the mill on Whitewater Creekfrom 1866 to 1879 gave the site its current name.

The Nesmith Preserve is accessed at the left side of the Starr’s Mill High School football fields and provides access to the Starr’s Mill Environmental Trail & Boardwalk. On this hike, I combined some of the trail with a loop around the high school. The trail itself has a mix of boardwalk and dirt trail that passes through an occasionally swampy area. There is plenty of wildlife to see in the Preserve and don’t be surprised to see a snake or two – especially in the warmer months.