Nature Walk with Ranger Jonah

Description: Bring your curiosity about nature as we explore the forest looking for interesting plants and signs of animals.

What to expect: We will walk the paved South Peachtree Creek Trail and single-track dirt trails through the forest of Mason Mill Park, learning about the plants and animals of winter. This program will last 2 hours.

Program leader: Your guide will be Ranger Jonah McDonald, the DeKalb County Park Naturalist at Mason Mill Park.

Where to meet: Find Ranger Jonah at the South Peachtree Creek trailhead near the Mason Mill Tennis Center (McConnell Dr & Mason Mill Rd).

What to bring: Wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a refillable water bottle and hiking sticks if you need them.

Restrooms: Public restrooms near the playground are closed for the winter. Bathrooms are available at DeKalb Tennis Center when the Pro Shop is open (top of the purple pyramid).

Recommended ages: This program content is designed for adults and older children, but all ages are welcome.

Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome.

Weather contingency: This program will be held, rain or shine, unless conditions are dangerous.

Walking distance: 2 miles

Exposure: This walk is mostly under tree canopy, but a few sections are exposed to sun and wind.

Trail surface & accessibility: This program follows a combination of single-track dirt trails and durable surfaces (concrete & boardwalk) and is not accessible for chair users or strollers. The dirt trails are less than 3 feet wide and have roots and rocks. Consider bringing hiking poles if your balance requires them. Questions if this program will work for your mobility? Contact Ranger Jonah: jpmcdonald@dekalbcountyga.gov

Waiver & Release: By registering for this activity, each participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that he/she is participating in this program at his/her own risk and holds DeKalb County and all its officers, agents, servants, and/or employees harmless from and against any and all claims, loss, damage, charge, or expense to which they or any of them may be put or subjected by reason of participant’s participation in this program. You further acknowledge that DeKalb County is not responsible for the acts of others participating in this program and the other participants may include, but not be limited to, interested individuals, members of civic groups, religious groups, or community group, and/or persons convicted of crimes and/or violations of County ordinances and ordered to provide community service. I give permission that all photographs, films, video recordings, and sound recordings of me and/or my child(ren) made by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs during this Naturalist program may be used non- commercially by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs to promotion and educational purposes. I understand and acknowledge that neither my child(ren) nor I will receive any compensation whatsoever for appearing in any photograph, film, video recording, or sound recording made by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs.