The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's

E-Newsletter

"Snake Day"

at the Nature Center

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department will host "Snake Day" on Saturday, May 3 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Want to learn more about snakes? Then slither out to the annual Snake Day where experts will be on hand to answer questions and fascinate you with snake facts. Activities will include animal interaction, crafts, and games.

This program is for families with a $5 admission fee per person.

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

Get Your Ticket!

Athens Creative Theatre (ACT) presents The Cemetery Club at Quinn Hall located a Memorial Park in Athens Thursday, May 1 through Saturday, May 3

Three widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life; Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun; and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. He meets the widows while visiting his wife’s grave. Doris and Lucille squash the budding romance between Sam and Ida. They are guilt-stricken when this nearly breaks Ida’s heart

Show times are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale online, by phone at 706-613-3771, or in person at the Morton Theatre Box Office located at 195 W. Washington Street Mondays through Fridays from 12-4:00 p.m.. Tickets are $15 each. Discounted rates are available for groups.

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 2024, 538 individuals contributed 10,416 recorded hours in volunteer service! The Independent Sector, a volunteer advocacy organization, values one hour of volunteer service in 2024 at $34.79 an hour. Using that statistic, the Department's value of volunteerism was $362.372.64

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

.

Master Plan Update

Public Meetings

The Leisure Services Department will host community meetings providing an update on the Department’s Master Plan.

In 2024, in partnership with consultant BerryDunn, the Department began the process of developing a new comprehensive master plan. A large part of the process was meeting with the public and determining community priorities and discovering where to focus efforts in the future.

After months of input and development, the public is invited to attend one of the upcoming community gatherings to learn about the findings and recommendation of the master plan.

The meetings are scheduled for Monday, May 12 at noon and 6:00 p.m. at Heard Park & Community Center located at 400 McKinley Drive and Tuesday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lyndon House Arts Center located at 211 Hoyt Street. A virtual option will also be available with details updates at www.accgov.com/activateathens

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

The Return of the Frog

The Walker Park splash pad will open under its pre-season hours on Saturday, May 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The Walker Park Splash Pad, located at 200 Trail Creek St, will be open weekends only, Saturday, May 10 -Sunday, May 18 and will then operate under regular seasonal hours from Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, July 27. The splash pad will be open weekends only, August 2 – September 1. Splash pad hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The splash pad is closed on Mondays for maintenance.

The Howard Park Splash Pad, located at 291 Henderson Ext, will open for the season May 24.

The pools open Memorial Day weekend and close the last weekend of July.

Splash pad admission is $1 per person. Pool passes are available for purchase and may be used at both splash pads and at all of the Department’s five 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.

"Friday Night Paddle"

at Sandy Creek Park

Set sail into the sunset and discover the magic of Lake Chapman after dark! Bring your own boat or use one of our single or tandem kayaks for a peaceful evening on the water.

This program is for ages 12 and older. They are scheduled for Friday, May 2 from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park.

Choose from:

"Friday Night Paddle - Bring Your Own Boat"
"Friday Night Paddle - Single Kayaks"
"Friday Night Paddle - Tandem Kayak"

This activity is heavily weather dependent. Suggested items to bring: Insect repellent, water bottle and a headlamp. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call Sandy Creek Park at 706-613-3631

Good Grades =

Free Pool Passes

The Report Card Rewards program celebrates ACC students with good grades.

In order to be eligible, any student, Kindergarten through 12th grade, who resides in Athens-Clarke County must take a copy of his/her final report card of the year or equivalent to the park office where a swimming pool is located.

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.

Learn to Swim this Summer

The Leisure Services Department offers small group swim lessons for children. All lessons are taught by certified lifeguards.

Opportunities include Kinderswim, a free learn to swim program for five year olds who live in Athens-Clarke County, as well as:

Swim School for ages three and older.
Parent and Tot Swim School for ages six months to three years old

The fee is $33 for ACC residents and $50 for non-residents for Swim School and Parent and Tot Swim School. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3589.

"Social Ride - No Drop"

at Dudley Park

Looking for a ride with no road riding? This is the group ride for you! Every month we will ride sections of the North Oconee River Greenway and/or Firefly Trail.

This is a leisurely-paced, no drop ride. This ride is perfect for beginners, or those looking to build their confidence to ride more frequently. All abilities are welcome. Bring your own bike and helmet.

"Social Ride - No Drop" is for ages eight years and older and is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Dudley Park. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3620.

2025 Summer Camp Registration Continues

2025 Summer Camp registration continues! Space is still available for children and teens.

Camp information is online at www.accgov.com/myrec

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

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