What: Open house to celebrate start of second year at Sawnee Mountain Preserve, 4075 Spot Road, Cumming
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Events: Free demonstrations in tree climbing and the canopy walk, 5K trail race; visitors’ center also includes nature exhibits, a classroom and lab area, library, native plant garden with waterfall and a wheelchair-accessible treehouse in the woods
Directions: From Gainesville, take Ga. 369 (Browns Bridge Road) toward Cumming. After crossing Ga. 400, turn left onto Ga. 9 (Dahlonega Highway); go about one mile. Turn right onto Spot Road and the visitors’ center will be about two miles down the road on your left.
Contact: www.sawneemountain.org; 770-781-2217
CUMMING — To commemorate the start of its second year, officials are inviting the public to a special event today at the Sawnee Mountain Visitor Center.
Shindig at Sawnee Mountain is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free demonstrations in tree climbing and the canopy walk.
The public is also invited to participate in a 5K trail race that begins at 8 a.m. Registration is required for the race.
“Phase II of the Sawnee Mountain Preserve opened one year ago, so we wanted to have an open house event and invite the community to come enjoy at day at the preserve,” said Forsyth Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Kinsey. “It will be fun for the entire family.”
Residents who haven’t taken the opportunity to visit the center are encouraged to come out and see the various activities and resources the location has to offer.
The center includes nature exhibits, a classroom and lab area, library, native plant garden with waterfall and a wheelchair-accessible treehouse in the woods.
The visitor center, which is off Spot Road, is part of Phase II of the Sawnee Mountain master plan.
The bulk of the second phase was the construction of the 5,600-square-foot visitor center, which began in January 2007. Phase I included the addition of hiking trails, picnic pavilions and a playground.
Shortly after opening its doors, the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department received a $10,000 grant to supplement the visitor center with a library, which includes books and electronic resources about the mountain, its plants and animal inhabitants.
Most recently, the county was honored with an award for the visitor center.
The Georgia Urban Forest council presented the parks and recreation department with the Outstanding New Development Grand Award in November 2008.