Friendship Forest Wildlife Sanctuary

Friendship Forest is an 18.5-acre “passive use” sanctuary that offers a lush, cinematic backdrop just half a mile from Clarkston’s central business district. Following a major $1.85-million renovation completed in 2021, the site combines raw, untouched nature with high-end park infrastructure. This location is an ideal double for a coastal marsh, a dense Appalachian forest, or a contemporary eco-park. Unlike many urban preserves, it is specifically managed as a bird sanctuary and wetland, ensuring a dense, vibrant ecosystem that remains visually consistent year-round.

Clarkston is known as the most diverse square mile in America. Today, half of the city’s residents are foreign-born and hail from over 50 countries across 6 continents. The City proudly proclaims itself as “the Ellis Island of the South,” and the railroad still runs through Clarkston today.

Key Features for Production

• Advanced Boardwalk System: The crown jewel for cinematography is the extensive network of elevated wooden boardwalks that wind through the low-lying wetlands. These provide stable, level paths for dolly tracks and steady-cam work while keeping the crew “above the mud.”
• South Fork Peachtree Creek: This is one of the few locations in the area where the South Fork of Peachtree Creek is safely and legally accessible. The creek features natural scouring, exposed rocks, and authentic “creek-side” textures.
• Architectural Structures: * Modern Pavilion: A clean, timber-framed covered pavilion that serves as a perfect “on-camera” meeting spot or an off-camera tech staging area.
  • Observation Decks: Multiple wooden viewing platforms strategically placed to overlook the floodplains and dense secondary-growth forest.
• Topographic Variety: The site features an 82-foot elevation change from the entrance on E Ponce de Leon Ave down to the creek bed. This includes steep, dramatic slopes on the eastern boundary (approaching 30%) that add significant depth to forest shots.
• Ecological Textures: The landscape transitions from upland pines and hardwoods to lowland musclewood, black willow, and swamp maples. It is a documented habitat for over 70 species of birds, including wild turkeys, as well as deer, beavers, and river otters.

Logistics & Accessibility

• Parking & Load-In: The site features a recently expanded paved parking lot with lighting, which can accommodate 15-20 vehicles. For larger productions, the lot can serve as a “mini-basecamp,” with street-level access for G&E trucks.
• On-Site Amenities: The 2021 renovation added a modern restroom building near the entrance, a major logistical perk for nature-based shoots.
• Quiet Environment: Designated by the city for “passive use and quiet enjoyment,” it is significantly quieter than neighboring active-recreation parks, making it superior for recording sync sound.
• Permitting & Control: As a city-owned property, filming is facilitated through the Clarkston Film Office. The site has a metal swing gate at the entrance road, allowing for easy lock-down of the entire 18.5-acre property for private sets.
• Basecamp Synergy: Located within 5 minutes of Milam Park and the Clarkston Community Center, allowing productions to use those larger lots for major basecamps while keeping the footprint at Friendship Forest lean and efficient.