Water Walk at Atlanta’s Perimeter Center: Where It Is, What It Is, and How to Enjoy It

If you’ve heard the phrase “Water Walk Atlanta Perimeter Center” and you’re trying to figure out what it means, you’re not alone. Around the Perimeter Center area (near Dunwoody and Sandy Springs), people often use this phrase to describe:

  • Water-focused walking routes around office parks and mixed-use developments
  • Fountain and creek-side paths that are popular for short walks during lunch breaks
  • Indoor fitness “water walking” options (walking in a pool) at nearby gyms and aquatic centers

Because Perimeter Center is a major business, shopping, and residential hub just outside Atlanta, the “water walk” experience here isn’t one single official attraction. Instead, it’s a combination of walkable areas with water features, plus pool-based walking at local facilities.

Below is a clear guide to where and how you can experience a “water walk” in and around Atlanta’s Perimeter Center.

Understanding “Water Walk” in the Perimeter Center Context

In the Atlanta Perimeter Center area, “water walk” usually falls into one of three practical categories:

  1. Outdoor walking paths near fountains, ponds, and creeks
  2. Short, walkable loops around mixed-use centers with water features
  3. Indoor pool-based walking (water walking) at health clubs or aquatic centers

Rather than looking for one specific place with “Water Walk” on the sign, it’s more useful to know where in Perimeter Center you can walk near water or where you can water-walk in a pool.

Key Outdoor “Water Walk” Spots Near Perimeter Center

1. Perimeter Mall & Surrounding Office Parks

Area: Around Perimeter Mall, Dunwoody / Sandy Springs (ZIP codes 30338, 30346)

Perimeter Mall and the nearby office parks and hotels have:

  • Decorative fountains and landscaped plazas
  • Sidewalk loops that many workers and residents use for walking breaks
  • Easy access to MARTA’s Dunwoody and Sandy Springs stations

While there isn’t a named “Water Walk,” you can create your own loop:

  • Start near the Perimeter Mall main entrance
  • Walk toward nearby office complexes with fountains and water features
  • Use internal sidewalks and perimeter roads to form a 0.5–2 mile loop, depending on your route

This area works well for:

  • Lunchtime walks if you work in the Perimeter business district
  • Light evening strolls if you’re staying at one of the nearby hotels
  • Combining walking with errands, shopping, or dining

2. City Springs & Nearby Green Spaces (Just South of Perimeter Center)

Location: City Springs area, Sandy Springs
City Springs Address: 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

City Springs is slightly south of the Perimeter Center core but still very convenient. It offers:

  • Fountains and plaza areas near the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center
  • Brick and concrete walkways suitable for gentle “water-adjacent” walking
  • A compact layout that’s easy to navigate on foot

You can walk:

  • Short plaza loops around the fountains and lawn
  • Out toward nearby streets with sidewalks to extend your walk

This is a good option if you want a more downtown-feel environment with water features and public spaces, while still staying close to GA-400 and I-285.

3. Chattahoochee River Walk Options Near Perimeter

While not inside Perimeter Center proper, several Chattahoochee River access points are a short drive away and popular with Perimeter-area residents:

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Powers Island / Cochran Shoals Area
Nearby to Sandy Springs; various trailheads within ~15–20 minutes of Perimeter Center, depending on traffic.

These areas provide:

  • Riverside walking trails along the Chattahoochee
  • Flat to gently rolling paths, suitable for easy walks
  • Scenic water views instead of purely decorative fountains

For a Perimeter-based resident or visitor, this can feel like a true “water walk” in nature while still staying relatively close to the major office and shopping corridors.

Indoor “Water Walking” in and Around Perimeter Center

If you’re interested in water walking as exercise—literally walking in water in a pool—your best options near Atlanta’s Perimeter Center are gyms, fitness centers, and community pools. Facilities sometimes call this:

  • Water walking
  • Aqua walking
  • Shallow-water aerobics or exercise

Below is a general overview of where people in the Perimeter area commonly look.

1. Gyms and Fitness Centers With Pools

In and around the Perimeter area (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Atlanta), you’ll find:

  • Full-service gyms and health clubs with indoor pools
  • Some hotels with lap pools that allow guests to walk in the shallow end

When you call or visit, ask:

  • “Do you allow water walking in your pool during open swim times?”
  • “Do you offer any group aqua-walking or shallow-water exercise classes?”

Many facilities allow members to walk in the shallow lanes during non-peak hours, especially when lanes aren’t fully booked for swimmers.

2. Nearby Community & Public Aquatic Facilities

If you prefer a more community-oriented environment, look for public or quasi-public pools near Perimeter Center. While exact programming changes over time, the following types of places are commonly used by Perimeter-area residents:

  • City of Dunwoody Parks & Recreation facilities
  • City of Sandy Springs recreation centers or partner pools
  • DeKalb County or Fulton County recreation facilities, depending on which side of Perimeter Center you live on

These centers may offer:

  • Open swim hours where gentle water walking is welcome in shallow zones
  • Structured aquatic fitness classes that include water walking elements

Before you go, it’s helpful to:

  • Call the front desk
  • Confirm open swim hours, depth of the pool, and any age or membership requirements
  • Ask if they have low-impact aquatic exercise offerings appropriate for your needs

3. Specialty Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Centers

In the broader North Atlanta area, including near Perimeter Center, some therapy, rehabilitation, or wellness centers use warm-water pools with:

  • Underwater treadmills
  • Designated water walking lanes

These are often geared toward:

  • People recovering from injury or surgery (under professional guidance)
  • Those looking for low-impact movement in water for comfort or mobility

If you’re interested in this type of environment, search for aquatic therapy or aquatic rehabilitation services around Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or North Buckhead and ask whether they provide guided or open water walking options.

Quick Comparison: Outdoor vs. Indoor “Water Walk” Options Near Perimeter Center

Option TypeBest ForTypical Location Around PerimeterWhat to Expect
Outdoor fountains & plazasShort breaks, casual walking near waterPerimeter Mall, City SpringsPaved surfaces, decorative water, easy access
Riverside trailsLonger walks, scenic nature near waterChattahoochee River NRA nearbyNatural trails, river views, variable terrain
Indoor pool water walkingLow-impact exercise, year-round optionsGyms, community pools, therapy centersShallow pool walking, structured or self-guided
Mixed-use development walksCombining errands, dining, and walkingPerimeter Center business districtSidewalk loops, light traffic, urban environment

How to Plan Your Own “Water Walk” Day in Atlanta’s Perimeter Center

Here’s a simple way to plan a water-focused walking experience in or near Perimeter Center:

  1. Decide your priority

    • 💧 Scenic natural water → Look to the Chattahoochee River trails nearby
    • 💦 Decorative fountains and urban feel → Perimeter Center & City Springs plazas
    • 🌊 Low-impact water exercise → Indoor pools at gyms or aquatic facilities
  2. Pick your transportation

    • If you work in Perimeter Center, start from your office and walk to nearby fountains and plazas.
    • If you’re visiting, choose a hotel near Perimeter Mall or a MARTA station (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Medical Center) to stay within easy walking distance of sidewalks and plazas.
  3. Set a realistic distance

    • In the business district, aim for 10–30 minutes of relaxed walking around blocks and plazas with water features.
    • For river trails, plan at least 30–60 minutes to fully enjoy the scenery.
  4. Check hours and access for indoor options

    • If you’re using an indoor pool, call ahead to confirm hours, parking, day-pass or membership policies, and shallow-water availability for walking.

Helpful Local Reference Points

For orientation in the Atlanta Perimeter Center area, these landmarks are commonly used:

  • Perimeter Mall – Central retail and dining hub

    • 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30346
  • Dunwoody MARTA Station – Easy rail access into and out of Perimeter Center

    • 1200 Hammond Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30346
  • Sandy Springs City Springs – Fountains, public spaces, and walkable plazas

    • 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

From these points, you can easily branch out to:

  • Short sidewalk-based “water walks” near fountains and landscaped streams
  • A quick drive to Chattahoochee River access points for true riverside walking
  • Nearby fitness centers and pools for indoor water walking sessions

In Atlanta’s Perimeter Center, “Water Walk” is best understood as a set of options rather than a single named attraction. Whether you’re here for work, staying in a hotel, or living in the area, you can combine urban fountains, riverside paths, and indoor pools to create the version of a “water walk” that fits your schedule, mobility, and comfort level.