All About Us ACC Leisure Services 705 Sunset Drive Click here to view the ACC Leisure Services Facilities Brochure Mission Statement The mission of the Athens-Clarke County Department of Leisure Services is to enrich the lives of our citizens through the stewardship of the community's natural resources and the efficient and responsive provision of quality leisure opportunities, experiences, and partnerships. Department History and Organization In January 1991, the City of Athens and the Clarke County governments combined forming the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County. As only the second municipality in the state of Georgia to unify, Athens-Clarke County began a long and exhausting process of consolidating two governments into one. In September 1996, the ACC government created the Department of Leisure Services by combining the former city's Parks and Recreation Department with the former County's Department of Arts and Environmental Education. The final phase of the departmental re-organization was completed with the formation of four programming divisions: Arts, Athletics, Natural Resources, and Recreation, along with two support divisions: Internal Services and Park Services. Department Size ACC Leisure Services is the fourth largest department within the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County. During the summer, the department hires an additional 120 staff thereby becoming the largest department. The department maintains approximately 3,400 acres. In addition to twenty-one major facilities, Leisure Services maintains seventeen local school/neighborhood parks. Department Staff ACC Leisure Services has 80 full time staff, 198 contract labor, and 120 summer staff. In 2006, 2,234 individuals contributed 43,255 hours of volunteer service to the ACC Department of Leisure Services. Long Range Planning Following the unification of the City of Athens and Clarke County governments, all departments merged into one unified government. A consultant was hired in 1994 to study the policies and procedures of the two existing departments, which eventually combined into the Department of Leisure Services. After reviewing the former Arts and Environmental Education and the Recreation and Parks Departments, a Master Plan was created. An important part of the Master Plan was to plan the elements of future growth, which addressed the controlled expansion and progress of the department. The department's Master Plan continues to evolve yearly based on division administrators' year-end progress reports and upcoming goals and objectives. Department Goals for 2007 Promote patron usage and level of satisfaction by maximizing leisure facilities and community parkland. Provide, or facilitate the provision of physical, social, cultural, artistic, and intellectual leisure activities that meet the needs of all segments of the population. Cultivate public awareness and support of leisure services through creative marketing and community outreach. Provide a safe environment for all visitors and staff, while maintaining the essential natural and recreation character of the parks and leisure facilities. Recognize, preserve, protect, and promote Athens-Clarke County’s unique natural, physical, historic, and scenic resources and open spaces that support the full range of passive and active leisure opportunities. Manage the development and growth of existing SPLOST projects and market/plan for SPLOST and capital initiatives through public/private collaborations. Department Objectives for 2007 Fund Park Safety initiatives program, which includes the installation of additional 911 emergency call boxes, authorizing additional security staff (park watch program), and installing a security monitoring/alarm system in order to protect, preserve, and improve safety and security at community parks. Fund the Greenway Network Plan, which includes development standards, identification of sites for acquisition and future development; and enhancements that link natural areas, parks, neighborhoods, schools, cultural center, shopping areas, and job centers. Fund Phase I of the development and construction of Ben Burton Park and Dudley Park. Fund Phase I of the Leisure Services Master Plan, which includes establishing community-based goals; assessing and inventorying existing facilities; and setting priorities for future program delivery and facility construction identified by the community. Incorporate new SPLOST and CDBG facilities/projects (East Athens Park, Greenway Network Plan, Rocksprings, Tennis Center, Youth Facility Partnership, Pulaski Creek Park, ENSAT, Greenspace Acquisition, Rail to Trail, and Reese and Pope Park) into department operations, program, marketing, and maintenance plans. In coordination with Computer Information Services, institute a comprehensive parks and recreation automated management system. Establish competitive retention pay for part-time/seasonal positions. Review/develop agreements and partnerships with non-profit groups, advisory boards, corporations, friends, Youth Athletic Associations, Athens-Clarke County Library, Clarke County School District, and other user groups in an attempt to formalize roles and responsibilities, maximize resources, and improve services. Investigate the development of an effective Citizens Leisure Services Advisory Board and develop relationships with neighborhood groups/associations to better inform and serve our citizenry. Program and Services Offered Leisure Services offers in excess of 400 activities including single session programming, weekly instructional classes, eight-week programs, summer camps, and annual special events. Among the most popular programs offered are Adult Softball, Art Exhibits, Christmas Parade, Community Theatre, Competitive Swimming, Dance Recitals, Moonlight Canoeing, Senior Adult Bingo, Snake Day, Youth Soccer, and Wheelchair Basketball and Tennis. New programs are introduced based on citizen input, volunteer interests, and employee recommendations. Citizens are encouraged to submit program ideas on the department's program evaluation survey. Volunteers with special skills or interests often develop and submit program ideas with the intent of personally participating and employees regualarly submit program propsals for consideration. New program proposals include a complete program explanation, anticipated expenses, needed supplies, and required staff time. With the department director's approval, the new program proposal becomes a program. NRPA/GRPA Certification Many staff members hold memeberships in professional organziations including nineteen Georgia Recreation and Park Association members, four National Recreation and Park Associaion members, and four Certified Recreation and Parks Professionals. Other professional memberships include American for the Arts, American Camping Association, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, USA Gymnastics, Georgia Environmental Alliance, and Georgia Environmental Education Association. Awards and Recognition ACC Leisure Services was honored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association as State and District Agency of the Year in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007

© 2008 Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department