Rogers Bridge Park is a beautiful sanctuary for dogs and humans

For more than 40 years, I have traveled under the remnants of the old Rogers Bridge in Duluth in tubes, floats and fishing boats. Since it was built during the early 1900s, during the years that I saw it, it was rusted out and in total disrepair. Thanks, however, to a lot of good folks who work for Duluth on the Gwinnett County side and Johns Creek on the Fulton County side, the area near the old bridge on both sides of the Chattahoochee River has become a living miracle that benefits all of the residents and visitors who utilize it.

The old bridge was removed and dismantled and was replaced by a replica of the original 1912 Rogers Bridge. Also, the city of Duluth unveiled some new artwork entitled, “The Shape of Time and Water.” This is a 27-foot tall structure that features two massive concrete columns, inspired by many stone and concrete bridge columns along the Chattahoochee River, topped with 110-plus-year-old steel from the original bridge. The Rogers Bridge art piece was selected because it incorporates the metal and pins from the original bridge, but it is supported by the concrete foundations used for bridges today, which fully represents the old and new. The artist behind this piece is Phil Proctor from Nucleus Sculpture Studios. Proctor is a professional sculptor practicing in Atlanta since 2003 who has developed a professional reputation in the art community by his involvement in the infrastructure of public art.

“The idea came from the shape of time” stated Phil Proctor. “Time is what shaped the bridge; it’s old, it’s rusted and time ultimately determined when it was time for the bridge to come down. So, the base of the sculpture is meant to represent the bridge columns, and the top of the sculpture is meant to represent the gesture of water as it breaks on the bridge columns. A literal passageway, a symbol that represents the connection between two places; the driving force for the restoration of the new bridge and the partnership of the communities it connects.”

The original bridge was used for horse and buggies and later cars, but it was also important to farmers on the Fulton County side to get their crops to the trains that came through Duluth. During the ’70s and ’80s, after other routes using newer bridges had largely diverted vehicular traffic away from the bridge, it was a teen hangout and lovers lane area. There was certainly some skinny-dipping going on, and kids, who are really brave, would jump off the bridge into the river.

The new pedestrian bridge that looks like the original structure reconnects the two cities and counties and links two vibrant park systems on either side. The trail leading to and from the bridge on the Duluth side offers direct access to the Western Gwinnett Pathway, which is currently under construction by Gwinnett County.

For dog owners in this area, the best part of Rogers Bridge Park is the dog park which consists of two off-leash areas: one acre enclosed area for small dogs and a two-acre enclosed area for large dogs. These areas provide ample space for dogs to run, play and socialize with other dogs. The park also includes amenities such as water fountains, seating areas, soft surface paths and pergola structures, which provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both dogs and their owners. There are also huge areas to walk your dog with a leash and numerous poo poo dispensers.

Another key feature of the park is the rain garden and bioswale, which serve as a stormwater detention area. It captures rainwater and slowly releases it into other parts of the park. This helps to improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and create a more sustainable park. Also newly completed are two large parking lots, a walking trail, a new pavilion, the trailhead, and the repaving of Rogers Bridge Road as it leads into the park from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. It is a beautiful and very functional asset to the Duluth area!

Photos: by Bill Vanderford