Arabia iTour - Podcasting & More..... Download audio and video segements to your iTunes and iPod. Discover interesting facts about Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Take a tour and playback historic audio and videos clips at each site. This site is Quicktime media driven! Update your Apple Quicktime test www.arabiamountain.org QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ARABIA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ARABIA Distances from the Nature Center (3787 Klondike Road) to: 1. Woodrow Road - 1 ½ 2. Mall Parkway & Klondike – approximately 2 1/2 3. America Suite at Stonecrest Mall – 3 miles 4. Quarry office – ¾ mile 5. South Goddard Road – approximately 2 miles 6. Murphy Candler Elementary School – 3 miles 7. Covered bridge – approximately 2 ¾ miles 8. Flatrock spur – 3 miles 9. Brownsmill Road – 4 ½ miles 10. Evans Mill Road – 4 ½ miles 11. South Parking lot – 1 mile 12. Arabia Lake – 1 mile 13. From Evans Mill Road to Klondike Road – 2 miles 14. What is the mileage of paved Arabia PATH? Presently 8 miles 15. Does the Arabia PATH loop around? – Not at the present time. ARABIA 1. How did Arabia get its name? No one really knows the answer. If you know, please notify Park Staff at 770-484-3060. PRESERVE 1. What are the hours of the park? The park is opened daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. 2. Is there a fee to walk the trails at Arabia? No 3. What are options for parking and/or entering the Arabia PATHl? Because of the limited parking at the Nature Center, other parking options are Stonecrest Mall, Evans Mill Road, Murphy Candler Elementary School (weekends only), and the South Parking Lot. The South Parking Lot is located on the left one mile South from the Nature Center 4. How many acres does the park consist of? Currently 2450 acres, approximately 5. Why are there gunshots near the Arabia PATH? The outdoor Firing Range is located on North Goddard Road that is approximately two miles southwest of Nature Center. The venue is safe and mainly used by Police Personnel. The Firing Range telephone number is 770/484-3045. 6. Why aren’t there telephones along the trail? Installing lines and call boxes throughout the Preserve would be an extremely expensive and complicated procedure. Also, as a result of today’s technology practically everyone has a cell phone. FACILITIES 1. Is camping allowed on the preserve? No, camping is not allowed on the preserve. BATHROOM 1. Are there any bathrooms along the trail? Bathroom facilities are located in the Nature Center at the North Parking Lot when office is opened. Otherwise, port-a-johns are available at North Parking Lot and South Parking Lot. 2. Are the bathrooms handicapped accessible? The bathroom at the Nature Center is handicapped accessible as well as the port-a-toilets. 3. Why aren’t there bathrooms throughout the Preserve? Servicing port-a-johns throughout the Preserve is extremely difficult due to the weight of the service trucks and the weight limits of the concrete and boardwalks. FOOD & DRINKS 1. What types of beverages and snacks are sold at the Nature Center? No types of beverages or snacks are sold at the Nature Center, but water is available at no cost when the office is open. A water fountain is available outside the center. 2. Is alcohol allowed in the Preserve? Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the Preserve. Special permits are allowed in some DeKalb County Parks for special events. This is not one of them. 3. Are grills allowed on the preserve? No opened fires are allowed anywhere in the Preserve. This includes grills. 4. Are picnic tables available? There are a few picnic tables suitable for small groups at the Nature Center Preserve. They are available on a first come, first serve basis. 5. Are there pavillions at the Nature Center Preserve? There are no pavilions at the Preserve. For information on pavilions call 404/371-2631 WEBSITE 1. What is our website address? www.co.dekalb.ga.us, www.arabiaalliance.org, www.EEinGeorgia.org and www.eealliance.org WILDLIFE & OTHER ANIMALS 1. Are there venomous snakes in the Preserve and what other kinds of animals are there? Most of the snakes are harmless but there are some venomous snakes. Other animals include deer, raccoons, opossums, salamanders, lizards, birds, bats, squirrels, chipmunks, ducks, turtles, herons, coyotes and more. 2. Are there any bobcats on the Preserve? Yes, but they are hardly ever seen. They are secretive and try to avoid humans. 3. Are dogs allowed on the trail? Yes, dogs must be on a leash at all times. Following DeKalb County Ordinances, owner must remove pet waste. Owner is responsible for waste removal receptacle. Other parks are available for dogs off leash – contact 404/371-2631. (Mason Mill and Brook Run Parks currently have space designated for off leash dogs.) 4. Are dogs allowed to swim in the lake? Dogs must be on leash at all times, therefore dogs are not allowed to swim in the lake. 5. What is done about loose dogs on the trail? Call placed to Animal Control (404) 294-2996 6. Are horses allowed on the trail? Horses are prohibited on the trail and the Preserve. 6. What kind of deer are there the Preserve? White tail only. Arabia PATH 1. Who is responsible for maintaining the concrete Arabia PATH? The PATH Foundation is responsible for the maintenance of the concrete Arabia PATH. Pete V. Pellegrini from the PATH Foundation can be reached at 404/875-7284 pete@PATHfoundation.org, or www. PATHfoundation.org TRAIL 1. Does the concrete Arabia PATH connect to Panola Mountain? Tentative plans for connection should be completed by June 2006. Eventually it will cross over the South River with a 200’ bridge to Panola Mountain Conservation Park in Rockdale County and ending up at the Monastery. 2. Does the trail connect to Stone Mountain Park? Presently no, but there are future plans. ARABIA LAKE 1. Can you fish at Arabia’s lake and what types of fish are in the lake? Fishing is allowed in the lake with a Georgia State license. There are mostly bream and bass in the lake. 3. How deep is the lake? The lake is approximately 6 acres and 13 feet deep 4. Are dogs allowed to swim in Arabia Lake? Dogs must be on leash at all times, therefore swimming is not allowed. 5. How often is the lake restocked and by whom? The lake has not been stocked in over 15 years. There are currently large-size bass and some bream in the lake. The lake will not be stocked until spillway is repaired, maybe sometime in the future. 6 Who does the lake located at Arabia and Bradley Mountains belong to? The lake at Arabia and Bradley Mountains is privately owned. 7. What is the name of the stream that runs into and out of Arabia Lake? Stephenson 8. Is the water in the natural springs drinkable? It is not recommended, as it has not been tested. VEHICLES 1. Are motorized vehicles allowed in the park? No motorized vehicles are allowed anywhere in the Preserve. 2. Can bicycles go off paved Arabia PATH? No, must stay on paved Arabia PATH at all times. The solution pools are very fragile to traffic and bicycles would be extremely harmful. It takes 12-20 years or longer for plants to recover if ridden on by bikes or vehicles. 3. Are horses or motor vehicles, allowed on Arabia PATH? No. EVENTS 1. Can the center be rented for events such as, weddings, birthdays etc? No. Call 404/371-2631 to inquire about other DeKalb County facilities that are available for rent. PROGRAMS 1. What programs or activities are offered at the Nature Center? There are weekend-guided tours. Check with sadickie@co.deKalb.ga.us or call 770/484-3060 for current listings. There are also educational programs such as: Salamanders of Arabia, Rock Outcrop Ecology, Migrating Monarchs, Habitat Activities, and Journey to Nature. PHOTOGRAPHY 1. Can a commercial photo shoot be taken at Arabia? Any commercial use of the Preserve has to be approved via Special Permit Form via the Director of Park and Recreation Department. Applications may be obtained by calling 404/371-2631. No vehicles are allowed on the Preserve and limits are placed on number of cameras, equipment and number of personnel. VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITTY SERVICE WORK/HOURS 1. Can volunteer work and Community Service hours be done at Arabia? Yes, pending approval from Preserve Supervisor. POINTS OF INTEREST 1. What is the building with the bars located one mile Southeast of Nature Center? That is the quarry’s former Administration Building, which was used for housing money and important paperwork. Discover arabia Mountain Geology, Ecology, History and Mysteries: An Educational Video for Student Explorers Newsletter The latest Management Action Plan newsletter has just been posted. Welcome! Welcome to the new web site of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area. Please check back often for additions or updates.