History Walk with Ranger Jonah

Description: This history tour of Mason Mill Park will touch on indigenous history, early colonizers, the Civil War, and the Decatur Waterworks. This easy walk will last around 2.5 hours and will mostly stay on paved paths and boardwalks, with a short stretch on soft-surface trails. All are welcome.

What to expect: This easy walk will follow the paved and boardwalk South Peachtree Creek Trail to visit sites that provide glimpses of the park's history. Along the way, Ranger Jonah will stop to tell stories about the many layers of history in this park and in greater DeKalb County. The full program lasts 2.5 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, a flashlight or headlamp, and hiking sticks if you need them.

Restrooms: Public restrooms are near the playground. Bathrooms are also 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 kids.

Dogs: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join this program.

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 wind and sun. Ranger Jonah will attempt to plan the history talk stops in shade.

Trail surface & accessibility: This program stays entirely on durable surfaces (concrete & boardwalk). Depending on the mobility of participants, we might choose to take short walks on single-track, dirt trails to see certain locations up-close. On the durable trails, there are a few places where the grade is slightly above 5%. Trail width is greater than 10 feet and curb cuts provide appropriate transitions between surfaces. 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: [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