BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — The Brookhaven City Council has approved a resolution to purchase a 1.3-acre property at 1020 Mendell Circle for $750,000 to expand Lynwood Park.
The acquisition protects the land from future redevelopment, preserving local tree canopy and supporting stormwater management in District one.
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Funding for the $750,000 purchase comes from the city’s Stormwater Fund and Tree Fund. The land directly adjoins Lynwood Park and will be permanently conserved as public greenspace.
The Mendell Circle purchase follows the city’s late-2024 acquisition of 926 Devine Circle, an approximately 0.5-acre property. Combined, the two purchases add about 1.8 acres of greenspace to Lynwood Park, expanding its 10.8-acre footprint by roughly 17%. The 1.3-acre parcel features between 30 and 40 specimen trees, including American beech, tulip poplar, red maple, white oak, hickory and loblolly pine, as well as several understory and midstory plant species. City Arborist Jeff Dadisman highlighted the ecological importance of keeping established trees intact.
“Preserving a stand of mature trees protects benefits that cannot be quickly replaced by new plantings, including shade, habitat and natural stormwater functions,” Dadisman said.
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Mayor John Park emphasized the city’s ongoing strategy to protect environmental resources during municipal growth. “This acquisition reflects the City’s commitment to protecting greenspace as Brookhaven grows,” Park said. “By bringing this property into public ownership, we can conserve a natural asset for residents today and for future generations.”
District one Councilmember Michael Diaz noted recent tree losses on adjacent land prior to the city’s land purchases. “Having witnessed the recent loss of mature trees at the nearby Devine Circle due to development, I know how deeply our community values its tree canopy,” Diaz said.
“While we cannot undo those losses, these acquisitions will expand Lynwood Park by nearly two acres, preserving dozens of mature trees and protecting this natural area for future generations. This is something our community can take pride in.”
The property addition aligns with efforts to preserve the setting around Historic Lynwood Park, established in the early 1930s as one of the oldest historically Black communities in DeKalb County. Bringing 1020 Mendell Circle into public ownership prevents future commercial or residential redevelopment of the site next to the park and the Lynwood Park Recreation Center.
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