Champion Tree Hike at Mason Mill Park

This hike will be primarily on dirt trails with roots and rocks to navigate, so pay attention to your mobility needs and bring hiking sticks if you need them. The total walk is about 3 miles and the last leg of the adventure will include balancing on stones to cross two creeks.

Wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a refillable water bottle and snack. Meet at the South Peachtree Creek trailhead near the Mason Mill Tennis Center (McConnell Dr & Mason Mill Rd).

Description: Did you know there are Champion Trees at Mason Mill Park? These special trees are the largest of their species within the I-285 perimeter. On this hike, we'll visit the City Champion red maple, river birch, box elder, northern red oak, and eastern red cedar. Please, we'll stop at many other remarkable trees with fantastic features and interesting stories. Come join Ranger Jonah on this unique tree adventure.

What to expect: We will walk the dirt trails of Mason Mill and Melton Parks, visiting champion trees and other special trees. Because of the length of the walk, this program will likely last close to three hours.

Program leader: Your guide will be Ranger Jonah McDonald, the DeKalb County Park Naturalist stationed 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: 3.5 miles

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

Trail surface & accessibility: This program follows a combination of single-track dirt trails and a few sections of boardwalk and paved trail. This hike is not accessible for chair users or strollers. The dirt trails are less than 3 feet wide and have roots and rocks. There are also two creek crossings that require balancing on stones and climbing up an embankment. Consider bringing hiking poles if your balance requires them. Questions if this program will work for your mobility? Contact Ranger Jonah: [email protected]

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.

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Host or Publisher Ranger Jonah McDonald