The woodlands and lakes are a wild space. All use of the trails, forest and lake are at the user’s risk.

1. Guest policy: All access and use of our private property — woodlands and waterways alike — is restricted to dues-paying SLCA members and one (1) accompanied guest.
2. Hours of use: Access to the property is prohibited during dark — 15 minutes after sunset to 15 minutes before sunrise.
3. Respect the wildlife. Do not approach nor feed any fauna that calls the woodlands home.
4. Protect the wildlife: Do not release or remove any fauna from the woodlands or lake. State law protects most native wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, opossums, rabbits, foxes, chipmunks, deer, snakes, turtles, fish, geese, and other birds.
5. Weapons: Absolutely no weapons — concealed or exposed — are permitted on our private property, nor may firearms be discharged under penalty of law. Weapons include but are not limited to firearms, airguns, explosives, knives, and swords.
6. No littering: Pick up after yourself (and maybe others) by removing any trash, including cans, food, pet droppings, and waste bags.
7. Keep quiet: Silver Lake is protected as a serene nature preserve. Playing radios and other sound equipment loudly to disturb others is prohibited.
8. Property line: The road and drainage on both sides of the road are owned by the Georgia Department of Transportation. The City of Brookhaven has a 10-foot “right of way” on all private property to install and maintain structures.

As a nature preserve, the woodlands and lakes are a wild space. All use of the trails, forest, and lake are at the user’s risk.

1. Leave no trace.  Nothing may be added or removed from the woodlands, including all flora, fauna, and man-made structures, without expressed permission from SLCA.
2. Stay on trails.  Stay on the trails marked on the posted maps. Do not leave the trails and enter the woodlands.
3. Pet leashing: Keep reactive dogs on their leash so everyone can enjoy their visit peacefully, including the wildlife!
4. Respect neighbors. SLCA does not grant members access to the private property of homeowners who live adjacent to the woodlands or trails.  SLCA recommends homeowners posting “private property” signs for clarity.
5. Connecting properties. All paths on private property connecting to SLCA property should be made utilizing erosion-resistant materials such as stone or gravel. If there is a question of whether a homeowner is encroaching on SLCA property, the homeowner will be asked to produce a boundary survey evidencing whether the encroachment is permissible.

Silver Lake is managed to maximize the health of the lakes while providing recreational opportunities for members.   To maintain a healthy fishery while limiting pressure on the Lake, the following rules apply:

1. Swim at your own risk. While the water quality is periodically monitored for safety, the lake is filled with debris; swimming is strongly discouraged.
2. Catch-and-release fishing: All bass, bream, bluegill, and shell crackers are catch-and-release. Members may fish from the shoreline. Only rack slot renters, lakefront dock/boat owners, and resident members may fish from their watercraft.
3. Use of photos: Posting photos of fish on any social media network — including Fishbrain, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter — is prohibited.
4. Boat Storage: All watercraft stored on Silver Lake property must be placed gunwale facing down and secured/locked in an assigned rented rack space; they may NOT be wider and must fit the length without alterations to the racks.
5. Watercraft: Watercraft must be quiet, passive, safe, and do not disturb others; gasoline motors are prohibited.
6. Safety first: Watercraft must meet Coast Guard regulations, including an approved personal flotation device for each occupant.

No docks are permitted on our private property without a permit. Permission must be obtained from Silver Lake Civic Association before constructing any new dock, and before modifying the size or design of an existing dock.

The construction & maintenance guidelines and permit request form can be found here.