"Poetry at the Creek"

Join Sandy Creek Nature Center staff at the Education & Visitors Center and venture to a quiet place to enjoy poetry.

If you are a writer or lover of poetry bring verses to share. This is just a relaxing day to enjoy words at the Nature Center. Coffee and light snack served.

"Poetry at the Creek," for ages 18 and older, is set for Saturday, April 27 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. The fee is $5 per person. Online registration is underway.

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

"Window Works" at

Lyndon House Arts Center

The Lyndon House Arts Center presents a new project for Window Works featuring original site-designed artwork by artist Michael Reese on view through spring 2025. Window Works is an outdoor project located at the entrance of the Lyndon House Arts Center using the banks of windows as a palette.

Michael Reese is an artist, photographer and educator. His work explores themes of identity, race and history; using past and current photographic processes as a base. With a fascination in cosmology and celestial science, he has created conceptual bridges between astronomy and the fight against human bondage.

For Window Works, Reese re-imaged elements from his series Meditation’s On Perceived Acts of Violence. Using images of his family, the artist questions the perception of the Black Body against cyanotype photography popular with architectural blueprints. He maps the figures engaged in the small mundane activities of life, taking a picture, posing by the car creating a nuanced narrative of the person’s life.

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

National Volunteer Week

Thank you to our amazing volunteers!

You will find them throughout the Department! They usher at the Morton Theatre and Quinn Hall, coach basketball and soccer, serve as trail ambassadors, trail guides, and maintain trails. They assist with animal care at Bear Hollow Zoo and Sandy Creek Nature Center, and serve as after school mentors.

In 2023, 649 individuals contributed 9,383 recorded hours in volunteer service! The Independent Sector, a volunteer advocacy organization, values one hour of volunteer service in 2023 at $31.80 an hour. Using that formula, the value of volunteerism in 2023 in the Leisure Services Department totaled $298,379.40!

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Visit www.accgov.com/volunteer

Earth Day Hours

On Monday, April 22 in observance of Earth Day, Leisure Services parks will operate under regular hours of operation. Sandy Creek Park will be open. Facilities are closed.

All facilities and parks will reopen Tuesday, April 23 under regular hours of operation.

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

Teen Tech Lab Program

at Lay Park

The Teen Creative Design workshop will cover the process of creating a graphic, cutting the vinyl via Cricut machine, and operating a heat press safely, leaving each participant with a custom item to take home.

This program is for teens, ages 13-17, and takes place Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Lay Park. The fee is $5 for ACC residents and $7.50 for non-residents. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3596.

Summer Camp Online Registration Continues

The Leisure Services Department summer camp registration continues online at www.accgov.com/myrec

Take a moment and review the diverse selection of mini camps and day camps planned for the summer.

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

Make a Wish!

The Leisure Services Department will present a special birthday party for Bear Hollow Zoo’s resident bears Athena, DJ and Yonah.

Bear Hollow Zoo will host the Bears Birthday Party on Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.

The community is invited to join this celebration and watch the bears unwrap their presents and enjoy their cake. A birthday card will be available to be signed by well-wishers and crafts.

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, 2023

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department

205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607

www.accgov.com/leisure

706-613-3800