The Dunwoody City Council renewed its agreement with the vendor who operates Brook Run’s Treetop Quest after a company representative assured the panel that safety measures have been re-evaluated and updated.
At its late October meeting, the council deferred the approval after discussing an incident on Oct. 23 when two teenagers broke into the facility after hours. One ascended a zip line and had to be rescued by the DeKalb County Fire Department, and the juveniles were later charged with trespassing.
Linda Kelly, Treetop Quest’s regional manager, said during the Nov. 12 council meeting that there were assumptions made about how the teens were able to access the zip lines.
“First, it was assumed that these harnesses were left out, that’s not a fact, and we have very stringent protocols about how we open and close our parks,” Kelly said. “When this did happen, of course it brought attention to security and we had a lot of meetings about it.”
Kelly also mentioned that the teens had scaled a six-foot barrier in order to access the zip line, “which was no small feat.”
The company is in the process of installing surveillance cameras and ensuring redundant safety checks are in place so that another incident cannot occur.
“I really think what happened was an anomaly of sorts,” Kelly said. “Safety is the most important policy for our guests and staff.”
The council unanimously passed the renewal agreement without further discussion.
In other action, the council passed 6-1 a Special Land Use Permit that would allow for the construction of a Starbucks with a single drive-through lane in an out parcel at 140 Perimeter Center West. Councilman Joe Seconder, without commenting, was the dissenting vote.
The council also discussed 2025 facility-use agreements for entities that operate programs at seven city-owned fields that include some fee changes and a few operational changes. One of the new stipulations for Dunwoody Senior Baseball fields at Brook Run includes a new open-weekend time block during the third weekend in June and July; and Monday evenings from 6-10 p.m. in June and July, where there can be no organized play.
Another new stipulation would reduce the amount of tournament games that could be held at the baseball fields during the summer months from 500 to 400. Dunwoody Senior officials said at previous meetings that they opposed the institution of the open play weekends because it will greatly affect revenues..
The council heard Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton’s monthly report, which included the following information:
- Waterford Park playground construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.
- Half of the Spruill Center for the Arts Annual Bowl sale proceeds ($3,500) were donated to the RiverArts District in Asheville, which was devastated by flooding during Hurricane Helene.
- The city has completed its 2024 Paving Program with 12.8 lane miles paved on 21 streets.
- Police Det. Jordan Laverty was selected to receive the “Flock Power Partner Award” for his exceptional dedication to leveraging technology in solving complex cases and his commitment to keeping the community safe.
- A holiday food drive has begun at the police department. Food donations can be dropped at city hall through December.
In other action, the council:
- Congratulated the 17 graduates of the latest Dunwoody Citizens’ Police Academy, the second one conducted in 2024;
- Heard a report from Ann Bone, the chair of the Dunwoody Community Garden about the improvements and activities at the facility, which is located at Brook Run Park;
- Discussed a charter amendment that would allow contributions to assist some employees, like law enforcement officers, for medical needs, or receive donations for certain equipment or enhancements;
- Discussed another charter amendment that would allow a city employee or council members to work for municipalities other than Dunwoody or DeKalb County;
- Heard from Dunwoody Public Works Director Michael Smith about costs for building a new maintenance facility at Brook Run Park.
