Page 14 - DeKalb NCG 2025

DORAVILLE There’s a reason this Atlanta suburb PINE LAKE
Diversity. Vitality. Community. is nicknamed “Funwoody.” Dunwoody Arts’ Natural Habitat
Doraville is a welcoming, multicultural is known for elevated culture and live/ As the smallest city in DeKalb, Pine
city, one of the Southeast’s most work/play spaces; sky views at upscale Lake is a “micropolitan” with fewer than
prosperous communities of immigrant- establishments; and thriving arts 1,000 residents. It’s a place where a
owned small businesses. People view the and culture. voice, an effort, an idea, and individual
city, with some 150-plus restaurants, as a Organizations like Spruill Center for involvement quickly become part of the
culinary destination. the Arts and CREATE Dunwoody bring natural flow of civic life. Pine Lake is the
Doraville was founded in the 1830s and the cultural fabric of the community to water and the trees and the small houses
incorporated in 1871. It evolved from a the stage, screen, gallery, festival, mural, that don’t interfere much with the natural
farming town to a railroad stop on one of and beyond. Public art, bold mosaics, environment. It’s the beach and the park
the northbound lines out of Atlanta. During and the wetlands that expand our living
and following World War II, the construction and murals add to the city’s charm. Great spaces and become our real living rooms.
of the Plantation Pipeline and the General greenspaces offer peace and recreation in It’s the swimming, the singing, and the
Motors assembly plant changed the Dunwoody with standouts, the Dunwoody
landscape of the city. Doraville is reached Nature Center and Brook Run Park. dancing that happen in the street, on the
at the end of the Gold Line with MARTA sand, and in the grass.
rail service. COMMUNITY EVENTS What the city lacks in size, it makes up
The site of the former General Motors • Dunwoody Preservation Trust holds its for in natural beauty. Pine Lake is often
plant has been transformed into Assembly annual Lemonade Days Festival in April. hailed as one of the most neighborly cites
Atlanta, owned by Gray Television, The five-day event celebrates in the state. Public art enlivens the city,
an expansive studio complex where community with carnival rides, festive reflective of the diversity of residents and
filmmakers and content creators have food and drink, stage performances, the intertwining of art and nature.
everything they need onsite. Assembly has As a Certified City of Ethics, Pine Lake is
film facades that mimic New York, New petting zoo, and arts. a welcoming community where residents
Orleans, Tribeca, and Europe, and plans for • Dunwoody Arts Festival and the region’s say that the stranger becomes a neighbor,
retail, restaurant, residential space, biggest 4th of July Parade are also and the neighbor becomes a friend.
and more. cultural attractions. Welcome home.

COMMUNITY EVENTS LITHONIA COMMUNITY EVENT
• Summer Movie Series – May-July The City of Wonders • Pine Lakefest – October; annual event
• Spirit of the Season – December: a joyful Lithonia is one of the homes of the jamming with music, fun, food, readings
event celebrating the diversity of its 40,000-acre Arabia Mountain National and shows by area artists and writers.
community with dance, live music, Heritage Area, dominated by two granite Be sure to catch Floatzilla, a monster
entertainment, and vendors’ market. outcrops that have endured every moment of a floating parade.
of human history. Lithonia means “stone
place,” and the local granite has been STONECREST
Did you know? quarried and used throughout the U.S. A Vibrant Mosaic in the Heart of Georgia
Buford Highway is since the late 1800s. Stonecrest is a dynamic, growing
Atlanta’s International When rural farmers gathered for trade community rooted in history, culture, and
Corridor. The restaurant among themselves, Lithonia was born. progress. The first majority-Black city to
and business signs in The introduction of the railway to the area emerge from DeKalb County’s cityhood
global languages reveal
the many diverse cultures in 1845 enabled Lithonia to become the movement, Stonecrest features vibrant
of people who live and epicenter of the regional granite industry. neighborhoods, diverse businesses, and
work here. The architecture and historical structures scenic landscapes.
of Lithonia placed the city on the National Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
Register of Historic Places and tell the story in Stonecrest offers hiking, biking, fishing,
DUNWOODY of the area’s development and relationships kayaking, canoeing, and geocaching.
with granite and the railroad. Lithonia
Residents also enjoy year-round recreation
Above and Beyond recreational features include the Lithonia at Salem Park, Panola Shoals Trailhead,
Dunwoody was named for Charles Amphitheater and Lithonia Park. and Browns Mill Aquatic Center. The City
Archibald Alexander Dunwody (with just Council recently approved the development
one “o”), son of one of the founders of a COMMUNITY EVENTS
nearby cotton mill. A post office error added of the first and only botanical garden east
a second “o” to the name, and it’s been The City of Lithonia celebrates year-round of Atlanta.
Dunwoody ever since. with events such as Movie on Main, Bingo Known for rock quarries, natural
Dunwoody incorporated in 2008 after Night, Trunk or Treat, sports tournaments, attractions, and rivers, Stonecrest also
unprecedented growth that inspired a three- Trunks and Tunes, and many others. Follow supports a strong industrial base, including
year, citizen-led initiative to become an the City of Lithonia on social media to stay major distribution centers for PepsiCo and
official city. in the know about upcoming events. Home Depot.

12 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 404-378-8000 DeKalbChamber.org