Page 39 - Dunwoody NCG 2022_Flipbook

To earn the title, the City of
Dunwoody must maintain a
community tree ordinance and
tree board, spend at specific levels
for urban forestry initiatives,
and host planned Arbor Day
celebrations, among other things.
The city’s arborist, Amy Bledsoe,
knows how important trees
are to a young and growing city
like Dunwoody.
“Trees help clean our air and
reduce the heat island effect,”
Bledsoe said. “They also increase
property values, reduce stress
levels, and provide wildlife with
important habitats.”
Dunwoody boosted its status as
a Tree City in recent years by joining
the One Million Trees Initiative, which
brought together 10 metro Atlanta
cities and 10 local nonprofits to plant
and save one million trees in the
area over the next 10 years.
“We’ve spent so much time
outside during the pandemic that I
think we’re more appreciative than
ever of Dunwoody’s tree canopy,”
said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn
Deutsch. “Our trees are critical to the
environment, but they also make our
community inviting.”
Alongside the Tree City design-
ation, Dunwoody was named a
Dunwoody may be a bustling town in the 2021 Visionary City by the Georgia Brook Run Park
Municipal Association for its efforts
busy north metro Atlanta suburbs, but that in expanding outdoor dining
spaces in the face of the COVID-19
doesn’t mean it’s all asphalt and concrete. pandemic through the Picnic Table
Project. It was one of nine cities – enjoy their favorite restaurants But Brook Run is only one park in
three each in the small, medium, outdoors while socially distancing. the city. Dunwoody Park is a 25-acre
and large categories – recognized The project was led by the city’s nature preserve that includes hiking
for increasing civic engagement, economic development department. trails, access to Wildcat Creek, and a
creating community partnerships, The city created even more playground. The home of Dunwoody
and for making people proud of outdoor recreation opportunities Nature Center, the park’s mission is
their hometowns. Dunwoody was in the past year when it opened the to educate and stimulate interest in
awarded as a large city with a Brook Run Park Amphitheater, a the natural world and show how to
population of more than 25,000.
The Painted Picnic Table Project 500-seat outdoor venue that hosts responsibly care for it.
gave restaurants picnic tables regular events like Groovin’ on the Other parks in Dunwoody include
decorated with city themes and Green, a summer concert series basketball courts, pickleball courts,
created a self-guided tour to lead that is free to the community. Brook pavilions, and tennis courts, all for
patrons to each of them. There are Run Park features a disc-golf course, the public’s use. More parks are in
now 31 painted picnic tables around baseball and soccer fields, a multi- the works, all with the goal of making
the city that stand as public art and use path, a dog park, and a skate Dunwoody a place where enjoying
provide people a chance to safely park, among other things. the outdoors is part of everyday life.

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