The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's

E-Newsletter

Spring Online Registration Begins in February

The Leisure Services Department announces its spring program opportunities and the release of the department's Spring 2025 Program Guide.

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.

Online registration takes place at www.accgov.com/myrec. ACC residents may register starting Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m. Non-ACC residents may register starting Monday, February 3 at noon.

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 Howard Park at 291 Henderson Ext. during regular hours of operation.

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

Now Showing...

The Leisure Services Department will host a “Movies by Moonlight,” event at the Morton Theatre on Sunday, February 2.

This indoor “Movies by Moonlight” event will feature the 1993 film “Groundhog Day."

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the film will follow at 4:00 p.m. Popcorn and bottled water will be provided at no charge.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration is not required. The public is reminded that downtown parking decks and street metered parking is free on Sundays.

For more information, call 706-613-3770.

"Frog Hop 5K" and Reopening of

Greenway Trail Segment at Sandy Creek Nature Center

Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc. will present the 26th Annual Frog Hop 5K Road Race on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Make plans to run or walk this 5K and 1 mile Tadpole Fun Run. The Tadpole Fun Run starts at 2:00 p.m., with the challenging 5K Frog Hop starting at 2:30 p.m. Both events take place at Sandy Creek Nature Center at 205 Old Commerce Road.

This year’s Frog Hop will begin on the recently renovated Nature Center segment of the North Oconee River Greenway Trail and mark its official reopening at 2:30 p.m. This half-mile portion has been closed since October and renovations were funded through TSPLOST 2023 Program

This Frog Hop benefits Sandy Creek Nature Center Inc., the non-profit support organization that founded the nature center more than 50 years ago. SCNC, Inc. now works with Athens Clarke County Leisure Services in support of the environmental education and natural resources preservation efforts of the Nature Center.

Registration before January 30 is $25 per person and $20 for no t-shirt option. All registrations received after January 30 are $30 per person. T-shirts are not guaranteed after early registration ends.

Race entry forms are available at Sandy Creek Nature Center and online at www.sandycreeknaturecenterinc.org or registration is available online at www.runsignup.com

For more information regarding the race, please call Emily Bailey at Sandy Creek Nature Center at 762-400-7734.

"Comedy and Nature" at Sandy Creek Nature Center

Sandy Creek Nature Center presents its popular “Comedy and Nature” program for a second year.

Staff and local comedians will bring laughter to the nature center. Attendees will be treated to corny science jokes and help find humor in nature.

This program is set for Saturday, February 8 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The fee is $10 per person. Online registration is underway.

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

How Sweet!

2025 Valentine Events

Get ready for Valentine's Day!

Plan ahead and register for one of these LOVEly Valentine programs:

"Valentine Day Ceramics Homeschool Program" at Howard Park (Begins Jan. 30)
Valentine Cards and Candy" at Lay Park (Feb. 12)
"Valentine's Day Party" Therapeutic Recreation Program at Howard Park (Feb. 13)
"Valentine Craft Party" at Memorial Park (Feb. 14)
"Feast with the Gods" Adult Program at Sandy Creek Nature Center (Feb. 14)

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

Now! Renew Your ACCGov Leisure Services Scholarship

All 2024 Leisure Services scholarships have expired. It is time to renew your scholarship for 2025.

The scholarship program is for qualifying Athens-Clarke County residents under the age of 18.

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. Those who wish to use the scholarship when registering for summer camp, must apply by February 28 to guarantee that the scholarship is applied to the account in time for camp registration in March.

Scholarships must be applied for in person. Scholarships are issued at 25%, 50%, and 75% levels. There is a $400 annual cap in scholarship funds per child.

Requirements for documentation include a recent utility bill (last 90 days), the most recent IRS Tax Form 1040 (with children listed), and a valid photo ID.

Those individuals who have not created an online registration account, may do so at www.accgov.com/myrec. This needs to be done prior to applying for the scholarship so that the scholarship can be credited to the account

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

50th Juried Exhibition -

Call for Artists

The Lyndon House Arts Center (LHAC) announces the online call for artwork submissions for the 50th Juried Exhibition. The show will be selected by Juror, Michael Rooks, Wieland Family Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the High Museum in Atlanta.

Submissions for the 50th Juried Exhibition will be received online only at ArtCall.org. The opportunity to enter artworks for the exhibition will end on January 24 at 11:59 PM. Please visit the LHAC, call, or visit the LHAC on Instagram and Facebook for the live link.

Athens area visual artists, 18 years and older, are welcome to submit up to 3 entries for consideration. An entry fee of $35.00 is required. Athens area includes the following counties: Athens-Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Elbert, Franklin, Greene, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton, and Wilkes Counties.

Juror selection will be completed by January 31. Delivery for works selected for the 50th Juried Exhibition to the LHAC will be on Friday, February 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.. The 50th Juried Exhibition opens in the galleries on March 13. The exhibition will be on view through May 10.

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

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