Leisure Services E-Newsletter
The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department
E-Newsletter
GRPA

Congratulations!

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department was recently honored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) with awards recognizing outstanding achievement.
For the tenth time in 21 years, the Department received the prestigious Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s state “Agency Award” for populations of 80,000 -150,000 and.  The award is based on outstanding programs and accomplishments over the past year.  This recognition is particularly significant because it is voted on by Recreation professionals
In recognition of his years of services, Dan Long, longtime volunteer beekeeper at Sandy Creek Nature Center, received the District 7 and State of Georgia Volunteer Awards.  With Dan’s help, the Nature Center has promoted the conservation and education of the importance of pollinators and the vital role they play in the environment.
“Bring the Gnome Home” program was honored as the GRPA Programmers Network's “Outstanding Program Award.”  It is a self-directed outdoor “hide and seek” program developed as a response to the increased trail use during the early days of COVID-19. The purpose of the program is to get people moving outdoors on trails and encouraging them to explore areas, they have not experienced before, all in search of the Gnome. Once the Gnome is found, it can be redeemed for a locally sponsored prize donated by a small local business.
Sweeney Todd

Almost Show Time!

Athens Creative Theatre (ACT) presents “Sweeney Todd” at the Morton Theatre
An unjustly exiled barber, in nineteenth century London, seeks vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun.

The performance takes place at the Morton Theatre in downtown Athens on Thursday, November 16 -Sunday, November 19.  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s show is at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale online or at the Morton Theatre Box Office, Monday-Friday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Call 706-613-3771 to reach the box office. Tickets are 
$15 (Reserved Seating), $10 (Groups of 10+ for a single performance).
Skate Park

Skate Park 

Temporarily Closed

The Skate Park will be closed through Thursday, November 30 for repairs.
The work includes epoxy void filling to prevent water intrusion, crack filling and smoothing, and repairs to metal coping.
The safety of our patrons and workers is paramount. Please do not attempt to use the skate park until repairs are complete and the park is officially re-opened. 
For more information, call 762-400-7750.
Turkey

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

Leisure Services facilities and parks will be closed Thursday, November 23 in observance of Thanksgiving. Parks are open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 24, but buildings will remain closed. 

All facilities will reopen Saturday, November 25 under regular hours of operation. 

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

parade

Save the Date!  

Downtown Parade of Lights on December 5

Leisure Services Department announces the 2023 Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights. This year’s parade is scheduled for Thursday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. 

Annually, more than 60 entries compete for such prizes as “Most Original Float,” “Best Use of Theme, “ and “Best Use of Lights”  and the best overall float receiving the “Mayor’s Award.” This year’s theme is “An Art Filled Holiday.”  The Parade Marshal is local iconic artist Harold Rittenberry, Jr., known for his metal sculptures installed around Athens. 

The parade begins on the corner of Hancock Avenue and Pulaski Street ending in front of City Hall for the traditional Community Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.

The Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights is sponsored by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and the Athens Downtown Development Authority.  

Parade information and application forms can be found at 
www.accgov.com/parade or by contacting Leisure Services at 706-613-3800 or paradeoflights@accgov.com 

Registration

Winter Program Online Registration Continues

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department continues its winter program opportunities for 2023-2024

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

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 an American Express, debit card, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, or a MasterCard or Visa gift card. 

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

New scholarship applicants and individuals with expired scholarships must visit a Leisure Services Department facility office to apply for a scholarship or to renew an expired one at least five business days prior to registering for a program.   Scholarships may not be applied for online.  Information regarding scholarship program changes, 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 computer labs 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.
Grinch

Holiday Fun!

The Leisure Services Department has a sleigh full of fun for this holiday season!

Plan early and make sure you don't miss any of the holiday excitement!

"Deck the Hollow" at Bear Hollow Zoo
"Breakfast with Santa" at Memorial Park
"Winter Open House: Art Garden" at Lyndon House Arts Center
"Gingerbread Workshop" at Lay Park
"Grinch and Go" at Rocksprings Park
"Jolly Jamboree" at Lay Park
"Movies By Moonlight" Holiday Double Feature
"Breakfast with the Grinch" at Rocksprings Park
"Cookies with Santa" at Sandy Creek Nature Center
"Paw-fect Pals: Doggies and the Grinch" at Rocksprings Park
"Ugly Sweater Holiday Party" Therapeutic Recreation Program at Rocksprings Park
"Team Christmas" Day off School Program at Heard Park
"Santa's Little Helper" at Bishop Park
"Jingle Bell Jamboree" Day off School Program at Rocksprings Park
"Winter Kick off" at Sandy Creek Nature Center
"Sweet Beginnings" Day off School Program at Lay Park 
"Icy Investigations" Winter Science Extravaganza" Day off School Program at Rocksprings Park 

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, 2023

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department
205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA  30607
www.accgov.com/leisure
706-613-3800
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email

Copyright 2023 - Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov)
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government | P.O. Box 1868 | Athens, GA 30603

Powered by
CivicSend - A product of CivicPlus