July is National Recreation and Parks Month
July is Parks and Recreation Month 2009Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association has designated the month of July as Recreation and Parks Month. Recreation facilities and parks across the country annually use July to celebrate the kick-off of summer programming as well as a time to pull their communities together to volunteer, get involved in great outdoor physical activities and advocate for parks and recreation.
As we observe Recreation and Parks Month, we recognize the vital contributions of employees and volunteers throughout the country and abroad who assist public parks and recreation facilities. These dedicated supporters keep public parks clean and safe for visitors, organize and coach youth sports teams, provide educational programming on health, nutrition, first aid and gardening, advocate for more open space and better trails, and fundraise for local improvements. They ensure that public parks and recreation facilities are safe and accessible places for all citizens to enjoy.
Summer Photo ContestEmail your digital photos of summertime
fun in during the month of July
to win a prize and become part of the
moving summertime art display.
Entries accepted July 1-30, 2009
Winner announced July 31. Call (706)
613-3580 for details.
Bishop Park's Imitation OceanSwim in the ocean at Bishop Park’s Imitation Ocean scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 3 from 11:00 a.m. –Noon and 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Swimmers of all ages are invited to explore the underwater wonders and swim with the fish. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snorkel, limited number will be provided.
The fee is $3 per child. Registration is required by calling (706) 613-3580.
For more information, please call (706) 613-3580
Star Spangled ClassicThe Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department announces plans for the Star Spangled Classic, the annual Independence Day celebration at Bishop Park, taking place on Saturday, July 4, 2009 starting at 6:00 p.m.
This year's event will feature family-friendly activities including inflatables, old fashioned family games, a dunking booth, children�s art activities, musical entertainment, concessions and will culminate with a Movie in the Park.
The outdoor movie will replace the traditional fireworks display which will not take place due to budget reductions. Last year, private donations funded the fireworks display after the Star Spangled Classic was eliminated from the budget. According to department director Pam Reidy, "ACC Leisure Services staff put a great deal of effort into finding corporate sponsors for this year�s event, but the struggling economy played a key role in those efforts falling far short of the $10,000 needed to pay for the fireworks."
According to Reidy, the fireworks would happen if the community steps forward as they did last year, but staff is moving forward in planning an event that does not include fireworks.
Anyone interested in making a contribution toward a fireworks display may send it to The Star Spangled Classic, ACC Leisure Services, Post Office Box 1868, Athens, GA 30603. Checks should be made payable to "Athens-Clarke County" with "Star Spangled Classic" listed on the subject line. Donations may also be dropped off at the ACC Leisure Services Administration Office at 705 Sunset Drive in Bishop Park. A total of $10,000 is needed by the Monday, June 15 deadline. Refunds will be provided if the $10,000 goal is not met.
The Star Spangled Classic is free and open to the public. Citizens are reminded that county ordinances prohibit alcohol and smoking in public parks. Pets and grills are not allowed in Bishop Park for this event due to safety concerns and the large crowd.
For more information, please call Bishop Park at (706) 613-3589
Nature Center Naturalist's WalkSee what's blooming this summer!
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3615
Fee: Free!
Sandy Creek Park Full Moon PaddlePaddle a canoe or kayak on Lake Chapman guided by the moon.
Ages: All ages
Date: Tuesday, July 7
Location: Sandy Creek Park
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3631
Fee: $5/ACC Resident; $3/ACC Resident with own canoe; $8/Non-ACC Resident; $5/ACC Resident with own canoe
Greenway Full Moon HikeExperience nature in a different light.
Ages: All ages
Date: Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 p.m.
Location: Greenway
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3614, ext. 242
Fee: Call (706) 613-3614, ext. 242 for fees
Sandy Creek Park Family Fishing DayA fun day of fishing! Basic instruction, equipment, and guidance provided. Bring a picnic!
Ages: All ages
Date:< Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Park, (706) 613-3631
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3631
Fee: $4/ACC Resident; $6/Non-ACC Resident
Cook's Trail HikeEnjoy the diverse wildlife along the trail.
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 11 at 8:00a.m.
Location: Greenway
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3614, ext. 242
Fee: Call (706) 613-3614, ext. 242 for fees
Splash-tastic Swim Day at East Athens Community Center PoolGiveaways, contests, prizes, and more!
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 11: Noon - 5:30 p.m.
Location: East Athens Community Center, (706) 613-3593
Fee: $1 pool admission
Lay Park Pool LuauLeis, icees, pineapple, and more at this Hawaiian pool party!
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Lay Park, (706) 613-3596
Fee: $1 pool admission
Memorial Park's Community PicnicTAke a walk through the neighborhood and bring your picnic basket and blanket for the frist community-wide picnic at Memorial Park. Activities include music, yard games, face painting, ice creams, performances, and more!
Ages: All ages
Date: Sunday, July 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Memorial Park, (706) 613-3580
Fee: Free!
Nature Center Family FishingFish in our hidden Claypit Pond. We provide bait, poles, and tips.
Ages: All ages
Date: Thursday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Location:Sandy Creek Nature Center
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3615, ext. 0
Fee: $6/ACC Resident Family; $9/Non-ACC Resident Family
Splash-tastic Swim Day at Lay Park Giveaways, contests, prizes, and more!
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 18: Noon - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Lay Park, (706) 613-3596
Fee: $1 pool admission
Nature Center Open House: Nature Swap
Sandy Creek Nature Center will host a family program “Nature Swap” Open House , Saturday, July 18 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.. at the ENSAT Center.
Young collectors are invited to learn what is ok to collect and have a chance to trade things you have found during the Nature Swap Open House. Collectors earn points for their collected items such as shells, rocks, animal bones, etc. The points can be banked or used to trade for another object from the Nature Center’s Trading Post. Participants must become a member of the trading post and agree to follow all state and federal laws before they begin trading. The Nature Center encourages ethical collecting. The purpose of the program is to encourage and inspire personal nature exploration and raise awareness about ecological connections. This program is free of charge and open to the public. Attend the Open House to find out what you need to do to start trading.
For more information, please call (706) 613-3615
Greenway Tikes, Trikes, and StrollersBring the little ones for a ride and walk on the Greenway!
Ages: All ages
Date: Thursday, July 23 at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Greenway
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3614, ext. 242
Fee: Call (706) 613-3614, ext. 242 for fees
ACT Presents Bye, Bye BirdieAthens Creative Theatre presents Bye, Bye Birdie at the Morton Theatre in Athens.
ACT presents this favorite iconic American classic with all the bells and whistles Sweet Apple, Ohio can muster! When Conrad Birdie, famous hip-swinger rock star of the day comes to the tiny Midwestern town to bestow one last kiss on the luckiest girl in the whole United States before going off to war…every girl in the Sweet Apple swoons with her. But when Conrad goes to make his big move, every guy who ever pinned a girl stands tall with her temperamental boyfriend, Hugo Peabody to object! Follow the loveable antics of the MacAfee household and the folks who put Sweet Apple on the map in this rip-roaring comedy about American teenagers coming of age!
The performance takes place at the Morton Theatre July 23- 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 26 at 3:00 p.m. Box Office opens Monday, July 13th with operating hours Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, children and students. Reservations can be made by calling the Morton Theatre Box Office at (706) 613-3771.
Camp T-Shirt Swim Day
Wear your 2009 camp t-shirt to any ACC Leisure Services pools on Saturday, July 25 and swim for free!
Date: Saturday, July 25
Location: All ACC Leisure Services pools; Call (706) 613-3580 for details
Greenway Invasion of the Forest SnatchersLearn how to identify invasive plants so you can fight the invasion at home!
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 25 at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Greenway
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3614, ext. 242
Fee: Call (706) 613-3614, ext. 242 for fees
All Park Scavenger Hunt
Unlock the clues to find treasures in our parks in this time scavenger hunt. The first clue will be emailed out to everyone simultaneously.
Ages: All ages
Date: Saturday, July 25; Hunt begins at 8:00 a.m. with 2-5 member teams.
Registration: Begins Monday, July 6, call (706) 613-3580 to register your team
Fee: $10 per team
Nature Center Family Program: Insects of the Night
Learn about insects that fly at night.
Ages: All ages
Date: Friday, July 31
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Registration: Pre-register by calling (706) 613-3615
Fee: $6/ACC family, $9/Non-ACC family