Dunwoody Nature Center, North Woods Pavilion

Serving the City of Dunwoody and the greater Atlanta metropolitan area for more than 40 years, Dunwoody Nature Center has continued to expand their services and facilities based on a carefully crafted Master Plan created by McMillan Pazdan Smith and Bohler Engineering – one that respects the topography of the park, the heart of the 501(c)3 organization’s mission.

As they continue to serve a growing number of residents through summer camps, field trips, and environmental education programs, the need for space specific to these programs has also grown. Nestled among the trees in the northeast corner of the park, the new North Woods Pavilion answers those specific user needs.

At 1,800 SF, the Pavilion provides a new home for these specific programs, along with the necessary additional parking spaces, bus drop-off and turnaround lanes, and a series of new shelters, bridges, and trails.

The indoor-outdoor convertible space also allows the Nature Center to add private event rentals to their community offerings. The included catering station features a professional refrigerator, a drop-in freezer, and a warming cabinet. With a panoramic overlook of the Meadow from the wrap-around deck, a double-sided fireplace, and plenty of enclosed, temperature-controlled space, the new Pavilion provides all-season functionality for a wide range of private events.

The new facility opened in August 2018 to widespread acclaim and has quickly become a vital part of the organization’s capabilities in fulfilling their mission.