Contact E-mail:  fernbank@fernbank.edu

Neighborhood:  Decatur

County:  DeKalb

Address:

156 Heaton Park Drive, NE

Atlanta, GA 30307

Phone:  678-874-7102

Fax:  678-874-7110

Description: 

Fernbank Science Center was constructed on the edge of the 65-acre primeval forest on 4 acres of land which was deeded to the DeKalb County Board of Education from Fernbank, Inc. for that purpose. Fernbank Forest was purchased from Col. Z. D. Harrison in 1937 by a group of citizens who were interested in conservation and the preservation of this forest area for science education. In 1964 the Fernbank Trustees developed a 48-year lease which was accepted by the DeKalb County Board of Education. This lease provides for the forest to be used by all citizens of the state and southeast and stipulates that it be protected and maintained by the Board of Education in as near its natural state as possible. This lease required that the forest be fenced and all entry and use controlled and stipulated that no plants or animals be removed. While the lease is for a 48-year period, it is reviewed each year and renewed at 8-year intervals.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

MARTA Accessible: Yes

Indoor: Yes

Parking/Directions:

From Downtown Atlanta: Go east on North Avenue to Piedmont. Make a left. Go one block north and make a right on Ponce De Leon Avenue. Stay on Ponce approximately 4 1/2 miles. At the traffic light just approaching a stone arch overhead railroad bridge take a left onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School).