Winter is coming to an end, and the weather is starting to warm up. It's time to figure out your go-to, outdoor spots in Dunwoody to unplug and recharge! When it comes to parks, we have a number of great options, perfect for any occasion. While many of them are near one another, each has its own unique qualities and all offer a safe space to mentally decompress and turn your focus inward.
First Stop:
Dunwoody Park
5321 Roberts Drive/5343 Roberts Drive
35 acres
Next Closest Park: Vernon Oaks Park (1.8 miles)
How to Remember: Dunwoody Nature Center
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Picnic friendly: ✅
Hiking trails: ✅
Babbling brook and creek: ✅
Playgrounds: ✅
Nature Center: ✅
Public piano: ✅
Tree-house Structures: ✅
Wildlife: ✅
Dunwoody Park has just about everything you need for a quick getaway full of fun. Ideal for families with children of all ages, the Nature Center shows kids how much fun it can be to get outside, exercise, and even learn something new. Where else can you be a part of a living lab that is accessible to everyone? Have a day full of fun adventure, all before settling down for some rest and relaxation in the amazing hammock garden.
Next Stop:
Vernon Oaks Park
Corner of Vernon Springs Drive and Vernon Oaks Drive
5 acres
Next Closest Park: Donaldson-Bannister Farm (1.3 miles)
How to Remember: Original spring house
Vernon Oaks Park
This hidden treasure is a unique pocket park enjoyed by those in the know. The park's quiet and serene setting makes it perfect for relaxing outside. Adding a professional tip: The park's original stone spring house - built by area settlers - is a perfect backdrop for your viral videos and selfies.
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Hiking trails: ✅
Historic structure: ✅
Secluded/serene setting: ✅
Next Up:
Donaldson-Bannister Farm
4831 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
3 acres
Next Closest Park: Georgetown Park (0.6 miles)
How to Remember: Historical landmark
Donaldson-Bannister Farm
The Donaldson-Bannister Farm has rooted itself in Dunwoody lore since the 1870s. Leave your worries in the parking lot and stroll through time via lush grounds decorated with ornamentals and hardwoods. The tranquil resting areas around the fountain are wonderful for individuals or groups. While the farm grounds are accessible to the public every day from sunrise to sunset, the historic farmhouse requires a scheduled appointment ahead of time.
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Picnic friendly: ✅
Historic farmhouse: ✅
Flower-filled garden: ✅
Open-play greenspace: ✅
Pergola: ✅
Park No. 4:
Georgetown Park
4400 Dunwoody Park
3 acres
Next Closest Park: Pernoshal Park (0.5 miles)
How to Remember: Grand gazebo
Georgetown Park
Come for the hiking trail. Stay for the charm. This beautiful park is the perfect size for a relaxing day trip. Its center square revolves around a grand gazebo, bocce ball courts and artisan fountain. (HINT: It's perfect for Instagram.) If you're coming with kids, you're set as well, as the park has its signature playground to keep them entertained for hours. This park adds old-fashioned charm to a bustling city.
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Picnic friendly: ✅
Multi-use trail: ✅
Boccee: ✅
Gazebo and fountain: ✅
What's Next:
Pernoshal Park
4575 North Shallowford Road
5 acres
Next Closest Park: Brook Run Park (1.3 miles)
How to Remember: Pickleball
Pernoshal Park
Pernoshal Park is basically any college's dream quad. Beautiful, spacious grass perfect for picnics and lounging. A new pavilion ideal for a party or family gathering. And to top things off, it's great for burning calories too. With multi-use trails that connect to Brook Run Park, a basketball court AND a pickleball court, you could say Pernoshal Park is a pretty big...dill.
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Picnic friendly: ✅
Multi-use trail: ✅
Basketball: ✅
Open-play greenspace: ✅
Pickleball: ✅
Pavilion: ✅
The Main Attraction:
Brook Run Park
4770 North Peachtree Road
110 acres
Next Closest Park: Windwood Hollow Park (1.2 miles)
How to Remember: Dunwoody's largest park
Brook Run Park
Brook Run Park is not only the biggest park in Dunwoody, it's the biggest park in the region. That's a lot of room for activities! This signature park features a large playground, 2-mile loop multi-use trail, skate park, dog park, community garden, multi-use fields, disc golf course, outdoor amphitheater, and event pavilions. What's more, Brook Run has enough to keep any family entertained for hours, if not days. TreeTop Quest and self-guided obstacle courses will satisfy anyone hungry for fun, and the nationally renowned food trucks at Food Truck Thursdays can feed everybody else.
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Picnic friendly: ✅
Multi-use trail: ✅
Zipline and ropes course: ✅
Open-play greenspace: ✅
Amphitheater: ✅
Disc golf course: ✅
Off-leash dog park: ✅
Community garden: ✅
Playgrounds: ✅
Veterans Memorial: ✅
Skate Park: ✅
One Last Stop:
Windwood Hollow Park
4865 Lakeside Drive
11 acres
How to Remember: Green park equipment
Windwood Hollow Park
Windwood Hollow Park stands out for a number of reasons. First, you can't miss its bright lime green playground equipment that'll have your kids running as soon as they see it. Second, it has a ton of options for activities: the playground, two tennis courts, a picnic pavilion, nature trails and an open meadow for free play. And in the lake-scaped reservoir that provides a scenic backdrop for your joggers, you're sure to lose your rings on your Apple Watch. Finally the park is rarely crowded and with the shaded pavilion being close to the play area, you can sit back and relax while your kids wear themselves out.
What to Expect:
Photo ops: ✅
Picnic friendly: ✅
Hiking trail: ✅
Playground: ✅
Open-play greenspace: ✅
Tennis Courts: ✅
Pavilion: ✅
Get out and explore.
While this is a snapshot of Dunwoody's park scene, there is much more to come! Be sure to stay in the know as the future of Dunwoody parks is as bright as the sun. With longer days on the horizon, we encourage you to take advantage of the #PerksOfParks in Dunwoody. Mother Nature is calling, pick up.