"Mud Day" at Sandy Creek Nature Center

The Leisure Services Department will present will “Celebrate Mud Day” program on Saturday, June 17 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

There is nothing more fun than making mud pies and playing mud tag. Come play in the mud with us and appreciate all the benefits of mud. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and shoes that will stay on your feet in the sticky mud. Drop in for a few minutes or play the entire time. We will have a wash station to use before getting in your car.

The program is for all ages and is free of charge. Registration is not required.

For more information, please call 706-613-3615.

On Display at the

Lyndon House Arts Center

Indigo Prayers: works by Charmaine Minniefield is on display at Lyndon House Arts Center through September 1, 2023.

New painted works in Minniefield’s series, Indigo Prayers are on view in the Atrium Gallery. Indigo Prayers began during a year-long self-initiated, pandemic forced artist residency in the Gambia. Using indigo pigments and other indigenous materials including crushed oyster shells, a material found in architecture along the coastal regions of the American South and West Africa, these works are powerful calls, “to conjure a new world and to imagine a new freedom today.”

These large painted works weave together, “ancestral memories of resistance in response to both contemporary and historic acts of erasure.” This sojourn, though unexpected, was inspired by recent world events and her ongoing exploration of the Ring Shout, an early African-American practice of worship, resistance, and dance whose West African origins predate slavery.

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.

Juneteenth Holiday Hours

The Leisure Services Department's indoor facilities will be closed on Monday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

Parks will operate under regular hours of operation. Pools and splash pads will be open 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

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

Make a Splash!

The Leisure Services Department will operate four public pools this summer including Heard Park, 400 McKinley Drive; Lay Park, 297 Hoyt Street; Memorial Park, 293 Gran Ellen Drive; and Rocksprings Park, 291 Henderson Extension. The Bishop Park pool is closed for the 2023 season for renovations.

During the aquatics season, pools are open Tuesday-Friday and Sundays, 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. Pool hours are noon – 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. All pools and splash pads are closed on Mondays for maintenance.

The Rocksprings Splash Pad, located at 291 Henderson Extension. is open Tuesday-Friday and Sundays, 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. and noon - 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The Walker Park Splash Pad, located at 200 Trail Creek Street, is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The splash pads are closed on Mondays for maintenance. Pools and splash pads will be open on Juneteenth and Independence Day.

Pool and splash pad admission is $1 per person, cash only. Pool passes are available for purchase and may be used at both splash pads and at all of the Department’s public pools. Individual pool passes are $20 and Family of Four pool passes are $40. Passes may be purchased onsite with forms of payment accepted including cash and check.

For more information, please call the ACCGov Leisure Services Aquatics Office at 706- 613-3589 or visit www.accgov.com/pools

Good Grades =

Free Pool Visits

The Report Cards Rewards Program returns for another summer of celebrating academic achievement

In order to be eligible, any student, Kindergarten through 12th grade, who resides in Athens-Clarke County must take a copy of the student’s final report card or equivalent to a Leisure Services pool or splash pad during the aquatics season. Locations include Heard Park, Lay Park, Memorial Park, or Rocksprings Park and the Walker Park splash pad.

The Bishop Park pool is closed for the summer for renovations.

A report card with all A's or all E's guarantees a free summer pool pass. A report card with all A's and B's, or all E's and M's, is good for 10 free swims.

For more information, please call 706-613-3589

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Get Fit at the Pool

Aqua Aerobics is a low impact exercise that includes a variety of stretching, limbering and weight routines set to music.

This class is taught by a Certified Fitness Professional and is offered at Memorial Park pool from May 30- July 29, Classes take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Classes are $5 each or participants may purchase a 5 class punch card for $20. Pre-registration is not required. Pay the fee at the time of the class. There is a maximum enrollment of 25 participants per class. Classes may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

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

"Eras of the King" at the Morton Theatre

This will be a night to remember! Save the date for Saturday, July 1 for "Eras of the King" at the historic Morton Theatre!

Join us and master of ceremonies Jeff Lewis, and celebrate music of the greatest entertainer of all time! "Eras of the King" features Ultimate Elvis Champion Bill Cherry and Elvis Grand Champion Cote Deonath backed by the amazing Infinit-E Tribute band. In addition, "Eras of the King" presents a special gospel performance by the world-renowned Carolina Quartet.

But wait, there's more! This event will begin with a special guest performance by the Ultimate Johnny and June Tribute "Oh What A Good Thing". You don't want to miss Eras of the King!

Tickets are availble for purchase online.

For more information, please call 706-613-3770.

Oh Say Can You See!

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government welcomes the community to celebrate Independence Day at the Star Spangled Classic Fireworks Display on Saturday, July 1!

Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from Athens-Ben Epps Airport. The display will be viewable from many locations around the Lexington Road, Cherokee Road, & Gaines School Road intersection as well as two locations provided by Athens-Clarke County.

Limited, first-come, field parking will be available on Buddy Christian Way near the airport and at Satterfield Park on Cherokee Road. These locations will open at 7:00 p.m. and all ACCGov park rules will be enforced including no alcohol, fireworks, grills, or smoking. The community is reminded to leave pets at home. In these parking areas, vehicles will not be allowed to move during the 20-minute show for the safety of fellow spectators.

All spectators are reminded to respect private property when choosing a viewing location and not to park on the side of roads to view the fireworks. Traffic patterns in the area will shift at the conclusion of the show.

The Animal Services Department will offer their annual "Foster for the Fourth" program again this year. Apply to foster with them.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800 or visit www.accgov.com/fireworks .

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