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Applause! Applause! Applause!

The Leisure Services Department was recently honored by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) with awards recognizing outstanding achievement.

Randy Smith, Sandy Creek Nature Center Facility Supervisor, received the NAI Outstanding Interpreter for Region 3, the Sunny Southeast for 2020. This award recognizes outstanding achievements and showcases the successes of NAI members and others working to advance the profession of heritage interpretation at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks.

The University of Georgia’s Whatever It Takes Program (WIT) was recognized with the GRPA District 7 Volunteer Award and the State Volunteer Award. These awards recognize volunteers whose efforts have had a lasting, positive effect on parks, recreation or leisure service programs. Since 2015, WIT volunteers have contributed almost 25,000 of documented hours of service at East Athens Community Center and Rocksprings Park. The volunteers assist children with homework, leading recreational activities, and perhaps most importantly serving as mentors.

Congratulations!

Thanksgiving Hours

Leisure Services Department facilities will be closed Thursday, November 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. Parks are open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.. on Friday, November 27, but buildings will remain closed.

All facilities, except the Morton Theatre, will reopen Saturday, November 28 under regular hours of operation
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For more information, call 706-613-3625.

Virtual Leisure Services

Life may look different these days, but the Leisure Services Department staff is dedicated to serving the Athens community by bringing engaging and educational programming to the public.

Now that schools are back in session, add to the school day by incorporating a Virtual Leisure Services program.

Art, dance, music, nature, sports, theatre, trails, zoo animals and much more are just a couple of clicks away!

There are a variety of free programs presented by staff from across the department! Stay active and engaged at home.

Something New!

The Leisure Services Department announces an important upgrade in its new online registration system.

What do you need to do? Create a new online registration account. Everyone, regardless of prior accounts, needs to create a new one.

It only takes a couple of minutes! Simply visit www.accgov.com/leisure, click "Online Registration" and then "New Account." You will then create an account with all of your household information. The data provided including emergency contacts, medical information, etc. will help staff better serve you. The information will be automatically placed into your registration forms.

By creating a new online registration account you are ready to register for any activity.

A special reminder for 2020 scholarship recipients. If you still have scholarship funds available and plan to register for a program before December 31, 2020, please be sure to call 706-613-3800 or email registration@accgov.com, so that staff can transfer the scholarship information to your new account.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800

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Light up Athens!

The Leisure Services Department announces the inaugural “Light Up Athens” in downtown this December.

This holiday program will light up downtown Athens storefronts with lights and decorations. Event activities will take place the first three Fridays and Saturdays in December from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Lights will be illuminated each night in December.

Activities include holiday character appearances, official Santa’s Mailbox for children to drop off their wish lists, music, and S"elfie"Spots.

Businesses and organizations located outside of downtown Athens may apply to “adopt” an area. Complete information and online application are available at www.accgov.com/lightupathens.

Awards will be presented including “Best Use of Lights,” “Mayor’s Award/Best Overall,” “Most Original,” and “People’s Choice.”

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Park and Facility Update

All Department parks and facilities continue to operate .All Department parks and facilities continue to operate under restricted use and limited public access. The following restrictions are in effect for the immediate future:

• Athletic fields and gymnasiums are open. Athletic leagues can participate in internal scrimmages (no out of county teams can participate).

• Basketball, pickleball, tennis, and volleyball courts as well as playgrounds are open. Dog park access is limited. Bear Hollow Zoo is now open.

• Morton Theatre remains closed.

Face covers must be worn at all parks and facilities. People are reminded to continue to limit close contact, practice physical distancing measures, wash or sanitize hands frequently, and follow group gathering and other guidelines per the governor's statewide executive orders.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800.