Page 29 - Welcome-to-DeKalb-2018-Newcomers-Guide

Photo by Travis Hudgons

This is
This is

PINE LAKE Welcome to Pine Lake!

As the smallest city in Dekalb,
Pine Lake is “micropolitan.”
effort, an idea, and individual
involvement quickly become
As a city sporting a lake, certifi cation course in which includes live music, a sand It’s a place where a voice, an
located within a forest and they researched, explored and sculpture contest, a citywide part of the natural flow of civic
having a population of fewer offered solutions to several dance, a sidewalk chalk art life.
than 800, it’s easy to see why of the city’s environmental contest and Floatzilla, a
people migrate to and stay in concerns. lake parade made entirely of Pine Lake is the water and the
the city of Pine Lake. floating floats. trees and the small houses that
In 2017, Pine Lake began don’t interfere too much with
Once considered a weekend examining nearby properties The city is also home to the natural environment. It’s
retreat for Atlanta city- for annexation—a process several 6-foot by 10-foot the beach and the park and the
dwellers, Pine Lake was that began as early as 2015. plots for community gardens, wetlands that expand our living
established by the Pine Woods City offi cials have held each owned by Pine Lake but
Corporation in 1937. Lots in several meetings discussing available for rent for $20. space and become our real
Pine Lake originally sold for as annexation but none have yet living rooms. It’s the swimming
low as $69. come to fruition. The Pine Lake Lounge, also and the singing and the dancing
known as the Pine Lake that happens in the street, on
Weekenders eventually The city is well known for Lakehouse, becomes home the sand, in the grass.
began calling Pine Lake their its laidback atmosphere, to jazz, blues, songwriters,
permanent home and began consideration of the solo acts and poetry readings Pine Lake is where the stranger
convincing their friends to environment, community the second Saturday of every becomes a neighbor and the
move there as well. Today, involvement and volunteerism. month. neighbor becomes a friend.
approximately 700 people The city is self-described
call Pine Lake their primary as a safe space for the Pine Lake is located between
residence. It was offi cially LGBTQ community and other Clarkston and Stone Mountain Welcome home.
incorporated as a DeKalb “straight-but-not-narrow” along Rockbridge Road to
County city in 2012. people. the south and Ridge Drive to
the north. It is made up of 0.2
Pine Lake is named after its Pine Lake is home to many square miles, making it the
central feature, a lake made artists who show their artwork smallest city in DeKalb County.
from a widened portion of publicly via yard art, quirky
Snapfi nger Creek, which runs fence decoration and in-home The schools used by Pine
through the city. The city was studios. The city’s lake house Lake include DeKalb County
originally part of a DeKalb classroom offers classes on School District’s Rockbridge
County farm and the valley subjects such as environment, Elementary School, Stone
where the city sits was where sculpture and creative Mountain Middle School and
corn was grown. dramatics during the summer. Stone Mountain High School.
Today, the lake is known as Many families also choose to
Melanie Hammet
the city’s meeting place and Pine Lake’s LakeFest is known use International Community Melanie Hammet
center of activities. In 2014, the for its showcase of local School, a public charter school Mayor, City of Pine Lake
lake served as a “living lab” for talent, outdoor concerts and local to the area.
students taking a permaculture local cuisine. The festival also

DEKALB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • www.dekalbchamber.org | 29