Holiday Activities

The holiday fun continues with the Leisure Services Department!

Activities include:

Twelve Days of Christmas Online at Heard Park
Gingerbread Workshop at Lay Park
Ornament Workshop at Heard Park
Santa's Helper Mini Camp at Bishop Park
Cookies with Santa at Sandy Creek Nature Center
Winter Kick off at Sandy Creek Nature Center

Review a complete list of holiday events and plan early!

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

After the Holidays!

Tis the season to Tree-cycle!

Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful would like to remind you to “Bring One for the Chipper!" Join us this year's Christmas Tree-cycling event on Saturday, January 7 from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Give your tree a second life as compost, mulch, or fish habitat by bringing your undecorated tree to one of the seven drop-off locations and receive a free tree seedling in return. Christmas tree recycling will also be available before and after the 7th at selected locations or by setting your tree out with your regularly scheduled leaf and limb pick up.

To find the drop-off location nearest you, visit www.keepathensbeautiful.org.

Holiday Double Feature

The Leisure Services Department will host a free “Movies by Moonlight” double feature outdoor movie on Friday, December 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park.

The event features the original animated "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," followed by the family classic "Home Alone."

Registration is not required. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and will sit near the park's pavilion to watch the films on the large inflatable screen. Fire pits and s'more kits will be available.

Upon arrival, patrons will be directed to the movie viewing area. Attendees should bring their own refreshments. Restrooms will be available.

All park rules will be enforced, including dogs always on leash, no alcohol, no smoking, and no grills.

For more information, call 706-613-3800.

Congratulations!

The Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) recently honored the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department with awards recognizing outstanding achievement.

The Department’s Fiscal Year 21 Annual Report was honored with the state “Marketing and Visibility Award for Multi-Event Publication.”

“Trail Ambassadors,” a devoted group of local volunteers, received the state “Volunteer Award” for their commitment to the Department’s trails.

Congratulations!

Winter Registration Continues

The Leisure Services Department continues winter program opportunities for 2022-2023

A diverse selection of activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports, and holiday events are planned for adults and children.

Online registration continues at www.accgov.com/myrec.

Before registering, individuals who have not already done so must establish a free online account at www.accgov.com/myrec. Payment may be rendered using a debit card, American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, or a MasterCard or Visa gift card.

Registration will continue until programs are at full enrollment or they begin.

Individuals with expired scholarships and new scholarship applicants must visit a Leisure Services Department facility office at least five business days prior to registering for a program. Scholarships must be applied for in person. Information regarding the scholarship program, including required documentation, is available at www.accgov.com/scholarship.

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or smart phone may register online using the public computers at Heard Park at 400 McKinley Dr., Lay Park at 297 Hoyt St., or Rocksprings Park at 291 Henderson Ext. during regular hours of operation.

For more information, call 706-613-3800.

Have a Look!

The Lyndon House Arts Center’s Choice Award Artist Exhibition by Bess Carter is on view through March 4, 2023. The exhibition features landscapes, room interiors, and still life paintings all rich with unwavering color and delight. An artist talk and gallery reception is planned for February 16, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Bess Carter is the recent recipient of the 2022 Art Center Choice Award from the 47th Juried Exhibition. This award includes a solo exhibition in the renovated North Gallery. She is a local artist and a 2000 graduate of the Lamar Dodd School Art at the University of Georgia. She is the art teacher at Oconee County High School.

All exhibitions are free of charge and open to the public. Exhibitions are on view during regular gallery hours Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please call 706-613-3623.

Now Open!

Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park recently added a small mammal habitat. It is approximately a 1,250 square foot yard with up close viewing windows. It contains two night houses and has the ability to house two species at once if needed.

Currently the new small mammal habitat area is home to Roxy the Fox.

Bear Hollow Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For more information, please call 706-613-3580.

ACCGov Leisure Services Online Registration

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers a diverse selection of activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports,
and holiday events for adults and children.

All registration takes place online at www.accgov.com/myrec .

ACCGov Leisure Services Scholarships

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers scholarship to qualifying Athens-Clarke County children.

Scholarships allow participants to pay less than the program fee.

For more information, including required documentation,
please visit www.accgov.com/scholarships

Georgia Recreation and Park Association

Agency of the Year

Populations: 80,000 - 150,000

2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2019, 2021

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department

205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607

www.accgov.com/leisure

706-613-3800