DeKalb County Parks Rules and Regulations -The park rules have been created to allow park visitors a safe and enjoyable experience. Please take time to read and follow the rules. Violations could result in fines. Questions? Please call 678-937-8903 for more info. Stay and Play in GA!
DeKalb County Parks & Recreation - 678-937-8903
Park Hours - The parks are open for visitors every day of the year, barring any situation that would require the parks department to close a plark for maintenance or an emergency. Parks open at 7 am and are considered closed at sunset (this time is set for each day) if you plan to visit a park late in the day, please check the legal sun for the day. Security lighting shall not be interpreted as an "open for Use" park area.
Golf Practice - Golf practice is allowed only in designated area of the golf courses. The DeKalb County Parks Department currently has in its inventory Mystery Valley Golf Course and Sugar Creek Golf Course. Each location is complete with a driving range. Golf practice is prohibited at other parks for safety reasons and for possible damage to turf areas.
Motorized Vehicles - Please keep all motorized vehicles in designated parking areas and use only marked driving areas to enter or exit park property. This helps the county to maintain turf areas and prevent unnecessary repairs due to erosion and vandalism from ATV's, cars, motorcycles and other damaging vehicles.
Reservations - Please call our main office for questions concerning special events and reservations. The Parks and Recreation Department will assist you with determining which park can best meet your event needs. The special events staff will also advise the procedure and necessary documentation for your event.
Animals in the Park - County Code Section 5-11 (not in its entirety)
1. It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal or anyone having possession of any animal to keep the animal under restrainst and control at all times while the animal if off the real property limits of the owner, possessor or custodian.
2. For the purposes of this section, an animal is deemed under control when: It is securely confined within a vehicle, parked or in motion. It is properly confined within a secure enclosure with the permission of the owner of the property where the enclosure is located; or it is securely restrained by a leash or other device held by a competent person.
3. Failure to keep any animal under restrainst or control as provided for in this section shall be unlawful.
Noise/Music - Please be considerate of others in the park surroundings in and out of the park. Loud noise can have a negative effect on other park visitors (and nearby homeowners) while they are attempting to enjoy the park atmosphere. Permits can be otained for special events, please contact the Parks Department.
Speeding - Please be aware of the area that you are driving through, watch for small children and those that may not be watching your vehicle. Maintain a low speed that would allow you to stop quickly if needed.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-26 Hours
Parks and Recreation Facilities shall be open at 7am and shall close at sunset, except that those parks containing lighting for night use shall close at 11pm. Only those areas of park and recreation facilities which are illuminated and in use at night shall be interpreted as being open. All other portions of the facilities if not illuminated shall be considered closed. Applicable closing signs shall be conspicuously posted at all park and recreation facilities and any deviation from these times must be approved in writing by the county.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-27
Using parks for golf practice, putting greens, driving ranges
No person shall use any park or other area owned or operated by the county for recreation purposes as a field for golf practice, putting green or driving range, except those areas specifically designated as golf clubs.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-28 Motor Vehicles in Parks
No person shall operate a motorized vehicle of any kind or nature in or on any park or other area owned or operated by the county for recreation purposes; provided, that this section shall not apply to vehicles used for maintenance purposes, to golf carts being operated on prescribed paths or to vehicles using marked roadways, marked driveways and parking areas.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-29 Reservation of Picnic Shelter Pavilion Areas
1. Fees. The use of a county park area or picnic shelter [pavilion] may be reserved for a reasonable period of time for the purpose of group activities through application to the county and upon payment of a reservation fee in accordance with the schedule established by action of the Board of Commissioners, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners.Application. All persons desiring to reserve a park area or picnic shelter [pavilion] shall make an application to the Parks and Recreation Department, on a form prescribed by the county. Limited Reservations Reservations shall be limited to one (1) reservation per month per person/group per shelter [pavilion].Fund Raisers at Picnic Shelters [Pavilions] Any Person/group wishing to hold a fund raiser at a county picnic shelter [pavilion] must follow procedures for reserving picnic shelters [pavilions] and provide verificiation of current registration with the Secretary of State. of Commissioners, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners.
2. Refusal or Revocation permit The department reserves the right to refuse or revoke permits. Such determination shall be based on health, safety and welfare of the public and protection of county property.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-30 Alcoholic Beverages
1. Prohibited; exception. No person shall server, consume or transport in open containers any alcoholic beverage within a county park or recreation facility, except at a group function for which a permit has been issued by the Parks and Recreation Department.
2. Application for Permit. All persons desiring to obtain a permit to serve or consume alcoholic beverages on county property shall make application to the county on a form prescribed by the Parks and Recreation Department, and shall pay a permit fee in the amount established by the action of the Board of Commissioners, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Board of Commissioners.
3. Locations where permitted Notwithstanding the above, permits may be issued by the Parks and Recreation Director for the consumption of alcoholic beverages but may be issued for the following park locations only: Contact the parks office for a complete list of parks that are open for reservations.
4. Other Locations. Notwithstanding the above, permits may be issued by the Planning Director for the comsumption of alcoholic beverages at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center. Applications shall be made at the Planning Department and shall be accpmpanied by a permit fee as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. Commissioners.
5. Refusal or Revocation permits The Parks and Recreation Director and the Planning Director shall have the right to refuse and revoke permits for cause.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-31 Animals in the Parks
1. It shall be unlawful for any person who harbors, possesses or is in charge of a domestic restrained or unrestrained animal (such as dogs, cats, etc.) to bring said animal onto athletic fields of the county parks.
2. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride, graze or walk a horse or other type of hoofed animal within county parks without obtaining permission from the department.
3. It shall be unlawful for any person who possesses, harbors or is in charge of any animal not to immediately remove excrement deposited by the animal while in the county park and disposed of in a sanitary manner.
4. It shall be the duty of the person having custody of any animal in the public park to have in such person's possession a device or equipment for the picking up and removal of animal excrement. The provisions of this section shall not apply to an animal aiding the handicapped (e.g., guide dog) or to an animal when in POLICE or rescue activities.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-32 Special Prohibitions
1. Paint. It shall be unlawful for any unathorized person to possess paint, in any form, in or on any park or other area owned or operated by the county for recreation purposes.
2. Glass containers. No person shall possess a glass container in or on any park or other area owned or operated by the county for recreation purposes.
3. Bicycles on athletic fields No person shall ride nor walk a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle in or on any athletic field owned or operated by the county for recreation purposes.
4. Bicycles on Arabia Mountain No person shall ride, walk nor carry a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle in or on Davidson-Arabia Mountain Park except in an area specifically dedicated and identified for such use.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-34 Closing of Ball Fields
The department may close to the public particular ball fields for maintenance purposes. Such ball fields shall be posted, and shall be unlawful for any person to enter a closed field.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 19-35 Public Address System
No public address systems, loud speakers or amplifying devices shall be used in the county parks unless written authorization for use is given by the department.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 17-113 Maximum Speed in Parks
No person shall drive a motor vehicle in excess of twenty (20) miles per hour.
DeKalb County Code Book - Code Section 17-151 Use of Parking Facilities on county property
It shall be unlawful to park any private vehicle in any county parking facility for a period of more than twelve (12) hours in any one (1) day or to park a commercial or freight carrying vehicle or trailer in these lots except by written permission of the chief executive.
DeKalb County Parks
