Lullwater Preserve

Lullwater Preserve is a 154-acre urban forest and nature preserve located in DeKalb County, Georgia, within the Atlanta metropolitan area. The preserve serves as the central green space for the campus of Emory University, which has managed the land since 1969. It features a diverse landscape of mature hardwood forests, wetlands, and the prominent Lullwater House, centered around a seven-acre lake created by a dam on Peachtree Creek.

History

The land was originally part of the territory of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation before European settlement. In the early 20th century, it was developed as the private estate of Walter T. Candler, a son of Asa Griggs Candler, the founder of The Coca-Cola Company and a major benefactor to Emory University. The Lullwater House, a Tudor Revival mansion, was constructed in 1925 and served as the Candler family residence. Following Walter Candler's death, the property was bequeathed to Emory University in 1958, with formal transfer and designation as a preserve occurring in 1969. The university has since maintained the area for conservation, recreation, and academic use, with the mansion later serving as the official residence of the President of Emory University.

Geography and features

The preserve is situated along the South Fork of Peachtree Creek, which flows through the property and feeds the artificial seven-acre lake at its heart. Key constructed features include the earthen dam forming the lake, the historic Lullwater House, and a rustic suspension footbridge crossing the water. The terrain is varied, encompassing rolling hills, steep ravines, floodplains, and several small tributary streams. A network of unpaved trails, including a segment of the PATH Foundation trail system, winds through the preserve, connecting it to adjacent neighborhoods and the main Emory University campus. The landscape is a defining example of the Piedmont region's ecology within an urban setting.

Flora and fauna

The preserve protects a mature secondary forest dominated by Southern hardwoods such as white oak, northern red oak, tulip poplar, and hickory. The understory and wetland areas support species like rosebay rhododendron, American holly, and various ferns. Fauna includes white-tailed deer, Eastern gray squirrels, river otters, and a wide variety of avifauna such as the Barred owl, Great blue heron, and numerous species of woodpeckers and warblers. The lake and creek provide habitat for amphibians like the American bullfrog and fish species including bluegill.

Management and access

The preserve is owned and managed by Emory University's Office of Sustainability Initiatives, with stewardship guided by principles of forest conservation and habitat restoration. Primary access is granted to students, faculty, and staff of the university, though it is also open to the public during daylight hours. Usage is governed by regulations aimed at protecting the natural environment, prohibiting activities such as swimming, fishing, and the removal of plants or wildlife. The preserve functions as an outdoor laboratory for academic departments including Environmental Studies and Biology, and is patrolled by the Emory University Police Department.

In popular culture

The scenic and secluded character of Lullwater Preserve has led to its use as a filming location for several television and film productions. It notably served as a setting for episodes of the Netflix series Stranger Things, which films extensively in the Atlanta area. The preserve's landscapes and the Lullwater House have also been featured in independent films and have been used as a backdrop for professional photography and student film projects from Emory University and other local institutions.

Category:Protected areas of DeKalb County, Georgia Category:Emory University Category:Parks in Atlanta Category:Protected areas established in 1969 Category:1969 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)