Community Corner

Fernbank Museum Prez Says Forest Is Safe

She shoots down rumors and says the 65-acre forest will not be bulldozed.

The rumor mill is flying with wide-ranging chatter that Fernbank Forest owners plan to knockdown the treasured forest to build an amusement park or convention center.

President and CEO Susan Neugent told Druid Hills residents Wednesday night there are no plans to bulldoze the 65-acre forest, which is owned by the museum.

Neugent said a plan is in the works to refurbish the forest and set a master plan to focus on general maintenance and upkeep.

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Museum representatives will work with experts to draft the plan and update the public as more information is available, she said.

For the past 48 years, DeKalb County Schools and the β€” a separate entity from Fernbank Museum β€” operated the forest. The and the museum took over operations of the forest.

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Access to the forest from Fernbank Science Center is closed, but Neugent said Fernbank Museum visitors will be able to access the forest in the coming months.

Watch the video posted above to hear Neugent's full comments.

How would you like to see owners operate Fernbank Forest? Tell us in the comments!


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