The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's E-Newsletter
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Make a Splash!The Leisure Services Department's pools and splash pads are open for the summer!
The Department operates five public pools including Bishop Park at 750 Sunset Drive, Heard Park at 400 McKinley Drive, Lay Park at 297 Hoyt Street, Memorial Park at 293 Gran Ellen Drive, and Howard Park, 291 Henderson Extension.
During the aquatics season, pools and the Howard Park Splash Pad are 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 through Sunday, July 27. with extended season hours of weekends only from August 4 - September 1. The Walker Park Splash Pad hours are Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
All pools and splash pads are closed on Mondays for maintenance.
Pools and the Howard Park Splash Pad close for the season Sunday, July 27.
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 706-613-3589.
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"Forest Bathing" at Sandy Creek ParkYou are invited take a moment to invest in your health and well being through "Forest Bathing." This is a guided experience in the forest, immersing oneself in nature. There are no actual baths involved, but rather "bathing" one's senses in the woods. Research supports that forest bathing can benefit both mental and physical health by reducing anxiety, lowering stress and improving your immune system. The program is facilitated by Master Naturalist and Forest Therapy Guide Heather Matherly. Participants can expect a safe and gentle walk with instructions to help relax and focus the mind on the present. The walk will end with a tea ceremony with tea sourced from local plants. This program is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park. The fee is $20 for ACC residents and $30 for non-residents. Online registraton is underway.
For more information, please call 706-613-3620.
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"The Magic of Motown" at the Morton TheatreA journey through Motown's best, including The Four Tops, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and more!
This special performance is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m, at the historic Morton Theatre. .
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"Grand Slam" Summer Teen ProgramExclusively for Athens-Clarke County Middle and High School students, Grand Slam takes place Friday nights in June and July from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Lay Park. This program is free of charge, but online registration is required.
A variety of activities include a DJ, games, a glow party, guest speakers, refreshments, sports, and more! For more information, please call 706-613-3596.
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"Summer Series" at Lyndon House Arts CenterThe Lyndon House Arts Center will host the exhibition Forging Connections: Metal Art Inspired by the Marine Carbon Cycle by Barbara Mann, opening on Thursday, June 5 and on view through August 30, 2025. An Artist reception is June 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. An Artist talk and demonstration on Thursday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m.
This exhibition showcases a collection of jewelry and metal objects created as part of a grant project funded by the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Artist, Writers, and Scholars program, in collaboration with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). The project draws inspiration from research conducted at the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Shellfish Research Lab, and the Phytoplankton Monitoring Lab.
All exhibitions at Lyndon House Arts Center 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.
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"Star Spangled Classic" Set for June 28at Southeast Clarke ParkThe Athens-Clarke County Unified Government welcomes the community to celebrate Independence Day at the Star Spangled Classic on Saturday, June 28 at Southeast Clarke Park at 4440 Lexington Road! Complete details and map are available at www.accgov.com/fireworks Free activities, including carnival rides, face painting, inflatables, a photo booth, and more begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be set up on the Lexington Road fields. A special concert by the Funk Brotherhood will take place from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. A food truck court will be onsite with items for purchase. Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from near the Athens Tennis Center. To accommodate parking at this event, a free shuttle will regularly circulate from Wal-Mart off of Lexington Road, Whit Davis Elementary School and the World-of-Wonder Playground parking lot. Parking at these locations is strongly encouraged allowing space at the park to be prioritized for people with accessibility needs. The Shuttle and parking locations will open at 5:30 p.m. All ACCGov park rules will be enforced including no alcohol, personal fireworks, grills, or smoking. Pets are not allowed at this event. Event attendees must follow traffic laws and not park or use private property when choosing a viewing location and not park on the side of roads to view the fireworks. The park will close at the end of the show. No overnight parking allowed. Traffic patterns in the area will shift at the conclusion of the event. The ACCGov Animal Services Department will offer their annual "Foster for the Fourth" program, again, this year. Apply to foster at www.accgov.com/animalservices
If severe weather is predicted in advance, the Star Spangled Classic will take place Friday, June 27. This event is sponsored by The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and presented by the Leisure Services Department.
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Good Grades = Free Pool PassesThe Report Cards 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 4's guarantees a free summer pool pass. A report card with all A's and B's, or all 3's and 4's, is good for 10 free swims.For more information, please call 706-613-3589.
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"Mud Day" at Sandy Creek Nature CenterCelebrate Mud Day! Come play in the mud with us and appreciate all the benefits of mud. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and closed toe shoes that will stay on your feet in the sticky mud. No crocs, flip flops or open toed sandals. Must have shoes-no bare feet! Drop in for a few minutes or play the entire time. We will have a wash station to use before getting in your car. This free program, scheduled for Saturday, June 21 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., is open to all ages who like to play in the mud! For more information, please call 706-613-3615.
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Get in Shape at the Pool!Do your joints squeak or groan when you exercise? Are there twinges of pain as you work out? Would you like greater freedom of movement and mobility without the impact of traditional aerobics? Then Aqua Aerobics is for you!
Aqua Aerobics is a low impact exercise sessions at the Memorial Park swimming pool this summer. Participants will experience a variety of stretching, limbering and weight routines set to music.
This summer workout program begins Tuesday, May 27 and continues until Saturday, July 26 and takes place Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. The fee is $5 per person per session or a five-class punch card is available for $20. Payment is accepted prior to class. Cash and checks, only. For more information, please call 706-613-3580.
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2025 Summer Camp Registration Continues2025 Summer Camp registration continues! Limited 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.
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ACCGov Leisure Services Online RegistrationThe 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 .
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ACCGov Leisure Services ScholarshipsThe Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers scholarship to qualifying Athens-Clarke County children.
Scholarships allow participants to pay less than the program fee.
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Georgia Recreation and Park AssociationAgency of the Year
Populations: 80,000 - 150,000 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2023 |
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The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department 205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607 706-613-3800 |
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