Nighttime Frog Walk at Mason Mill Park

Description: We’ll walk through dusk and into the night, listening to the sounds of nature after dark, especially the calls of frogs. The park closes at dusk, so this is a great opportunity to hike with Ranger Jonah at night.

What to expect: We will walk the boardwalk towards the Mason Mill wetlands as dusk becomes night. Along the way, Ranger Jonah will stop to teach about various noctural animals with a special focus on frogs. We will walk through the wetlands looking and listening for frogs and other creatures. Towards the end, there will be an optional walk on a single-track, dirt trail, and finally a place to view the rising full moon. The full program lasts 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, a flashlight or headlamp, and hiking sticks if you need them.

Recommended ages: This program content is designed for all ages.

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

Dogs: This program is NOT appropriate for dogs, so please leave your pup at home.

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. There is no sun exposure since this is a nighttime program.

Trail surface & accessibility: This program stays on durable surfaces (concrete & boardwalk) until the very end when there is an optional hike on a single-track dirt trail. 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. Boardwalk railings are 5 feet tall, but gaps between rails allow for obstructed views. 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