Nature Division

 

Nature Division Office
Memorial Park, 293 Gran Ellen
Athens, GA 30606

Memorial Park
293 Gran Ellen Dr
Athens, GA 30606

706-613-3580
Administration 

Memorial Park
293 Gran Ellen Drive
Athens, GA 30606

Athens, GA 30601
Staff
Name Title Email Phone
Booker, Phyllis Administrative Secretary 706-613-3580

Bear Hollow Zoo 

293 Gran Ellen Dr.

706-613-3580


Hours of Operation:
Daily: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Exhibit Hall: Daily 9:00 AM-4:45 PM

Admission:
Free
Staff
Name Title Email Phone
Garrison, Kelly Zoo Coordinator 706-613-3580
Cress, Jen Program Specialist 706-613-3580

Ben Burton Park 
Directions

615 Mitchell Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30606

Athens, GA 30606

706-613-3620


Physical Address
615 Mitchell Bridge Rd
 Athens, GA 30606

Phone:706-613-3620

 Hours of Operation:
 Daily: Sunrise - Sunset

Memorial Park 

293 Gran Ellen Dr
Athens, GA 30606

706-613-3580


Hours of Operation:
Park Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM - Sunset.
Administrative Office Hours: Monday -Friday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Staff
Name Title Email Phone
McKinney, John Facility Supervisor 706-613-3580
Hong, Megan Recreation Leader 706-613-3580

Sandy Creek Nature Center 

205 Old Commerce Rd.
Athens, GA 30607

706-613-3615


Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Trails are open sunrise to sunset daily.

Admission:  Free
Staff
Name Title Email Phone
Smith, Randy Facility Supervisor 706-613-3615, ext. 233
Cash, Michelle Naturalist 706-613-3615, ext. 229
Mowbray, Kate Naturalist 706-613-3615, ext. 231
Champagne, Carmen Program Leader 706-613-3615 ext. 227

Sandy Creek Park 
Directions

400 Bob Holman Rd
Athens, GA 30607

706-613-3631


Hours of Operation: 
Current Hours: Tuesdays - Sundays: 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
CLOSED MONDAYS

Entrance Gate closes 30 minutes prior to the Exit Gate. 
Exit Gate is locked promptly at the posted closing time.

Admission Fee: 
Ages 4-64: $2 per person
Under 4 / 65 & older: Free
Disc golf: extra $1 per person
Staff
Name Title Email Phone
Betz, Bob Facility Supervisor 706-613-3631
McFay, Hannah Recreation Assistant 706-613-3631
McNamee, Heather Program Leader 706-613-3631, ext. 222

Trails and Open Spaces 

Provides management and oversight for all trails and undeveloped park areas, including Ben Burton Park, Boulevard Woods Park, and Dudley Park. Conducts recreation and nature based programming across Leisure Service’s facilities.  Key functions include ongoing site and trail inspections, garbage and litter pickup routes, trail maintenance, greenspace resource management operations in conjunction with the County’s Environmental Coordinator, and coordination with volunteer organizations such as SORBA, the Weed Warriors, and the Boulevard Woods Neighborhood Association. 
Staff
Name Title Email Phone
West, Rose Trails & Open Space Supervisor 706-613-3620
Moore, Lawson Program Leader 706-613-3620