External Website www.accleisureservices.com Administration 706-613-3800 706-613-3805 [Fax] Administration Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  (Various for facilities) Director John Dargle  Kent Kilpatrick (Interim as of June 9) Administration Location Bishop Park 705 Sunset Drive Location Map Mailing Address P.O. Box 1868 Athens, GA 30603

New! Athens Creative Theatre has formed an all-female repertory company. The group is a unique performance opportunity for all Athens area women of all ages and levels of experience. The company operates on a less-demanding rehearsal schedule and offers positions in all aspects of production. If interested, contact A.C.T at (706)613-3628 or e-mail athenscreative@bellsouth.net.

New! July is Parks and Recreation Month! There are a variety of events and programs happening this month to help celebrate. For a list of this month's special activities, visit ACC Leisure Service's website or call (706)613-3625.

New! Leisure Services will host a monthly Volunteer Work Day on July 12 at Memorial Park from 9:30 AM-11:30 AM. Please pre-register online or by contacting Janice Denney at (706)613-3615 or JaniceDenney@co.clarke.ga.us

New! ACC Leisure Services mailed surveys to random area residents over the past week as a part of its master plan development. The survey provides questions ACC Leisure Services facilities, fee structure, organizational structure, programs, and other issues. The public is encouraged to participate.

For more information on the survey, please call (706) 613-3625.

Sponsors and volunteers are needed for the 5th annual Run to Play 5k. The Friends of Southeast Clarke Park and ACC Leisure Services will host the Run to Play 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run at Southeast Clarke Park on Saturday, July 19. The 5K begins at 8 a.m., followed by the Fun Run at 9 a.m.

More than 150 runners are expected this year, and awards will be presented to top performers in each age division and to best overall finishers.

For more information, contact Ruth Lessl at ruthlessl@athensfirstbank.com or visit www.southeastclarkepark.com.

Kent Kilpatrick has been appointed to serve as Interim Director of Leisure Services effective Monday, June 9. Kilpatrick is the Administrator for the Internal Services Division of Leisure Services and has served as Interim Director in the past. His appointment comes in response to the recent resignation of John Dargle. Dargle is leaving Athens to become the director of the Fairfax County, Virginia recreation department.

Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail's Bear Tracks Winter 2008 newsletter is now available online in the Documents area.

For the third consecutive year, ACC Leisure Services has been honored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) with the prestigious State Agency of the Year Award.

The State Agency of the Year, for populations 80,001 and larger, is awarded based on facilities, programs, long range planning, staffing, marketing plan, and accomplishments over the past twelve months.  This is the fifth time in eight years that ACC Leisure Services has received this award.

The department was also honored with other awards including the Cultural Affairs Section’s Dorothy Mullins Arts and Humanities Award for the Athens/Xalapa Artists’ Exchange program and the Marketing and Visibility Committee Publicity Award for a multi-event for the Passport to Fun coupon booklet for July is National Recreation and Parks Month.

Whit Davis Elementary School was honored with the Outdoor and Parks Section Volunteer Award, District 7, as well as the state Volunteer Award, for its work at SE Clarke Park.  Ms. Stroup’s classes mapped and cleared the trail at SE Clarke Park, using the activity as a service learning project.

Athens-Clarke Gymnastics Academy cookbooks - Recipes to Flip Over - are now on sale. This is ACGA's first cookbook and features recipes collected from gymnasts, families, and friends. The 50-page cookbook includes casseroles, desserts, main dishes, and much more. Cookbooks are $9.00 and may be purchased at Bishop Park, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Leisure Services has its very own external Web site! Check it out at www.accleisureservices.com.

AWARDS

• District 7 Agency of the Year Award from the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) Services Department.
• National Award of Excellence for the WE CAN (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) Program.
• Sandy Creek Nature Center founder and long-time volunteer Walter L. Cook, Jr. was honored by the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) for his more than 30 years of service to local environmental and conservation efforts on their Pathfinderprogram.
• The Georgia Recreation and Park Association awarded the State Agency of the Year Award, as well as seven Innovative Program Awards; the Athens Disc Golf Club received a state Volunteer Award; The Lyndon House Arts Center received three awards for its programs; Special events at Southeast Clarke Park was recognized as Innovative Programs in the Programmers and Athletics Sections.

FACILITIES & PROGRAMS
For a full list of Leisure Services facilities, visit the ACC Leisure Services Web site Facilities Page.

MISSION
To enrich the lives of our citizens through the stewardship of the county’s natural resources and the efficient and responsive provision of quality leisure opportunities, experiences, and partnerships.