Downtown Decatur has always been a vibrant hub, brimming with creativity and culture. Among the many facets that make this community so unique, public art stands tall as a testament to the city’s commitment to artistic expression. Have you ever strolled through these charming streets and wondered about the stories behind the sculptures, murals, and installations? Or perhaps you’ve missed some of these artistic gems tucked away in corners waiting to be discovered.
If you share our curiosity or want to explore Decatur in a new light, we invite you to join us on Sunday, October 1st and 8th at 2 p.m. for a captivating journey through the city’s public art landscape. These guided walking tours promise not only to reveal the narratives behind the art but also to unveil hidden treasures you may have missed.
On October 1, we will cover the east side of downtown Decatur and on October 8, we will cover the west side of downtown Decatur. Co-sponsored by the Decatur Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, these walks will be led by Angie Macon of the Decatur Arts Alliance. Meet at Community Bandstand for these enjoyable and informative FREE walking tours.
Starting Monday, September 25th, the Mckoy Skate Park will be temporarily closed to the public for an exciting redesign and renovation project. We’re gearing up to bring you an even better skating experience!
While we’re hard at work making these improvements, stay tuned to our website page for updates on our progress. We can’t wait to unveil the revamped park and provide you with an incredible skating environment.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!
You’ve stuck with it and now it’s time for you to enjoy a well-earned exercise reward in celebration of keeping up your physical activity routine. Pick Monday to give yourself the gift of self-care.
It’s time for reflection. Take a moment to contemplate how far you’ve come in your fitness journey. Have you gotten stronger, made and achieved fitness goals, achieved a healthy weight, or done all four? It’s definitely time for an exercise reward – so treat yourself with some modest and affordable indulgences today!
When you take good care of yourself, you nourish your body and soul. Here are some low-cost fitness reward ideas to help you get started:
Bubbles Galore! – Take a nice hot bath and mix it up with some fun bubbles.
Visit a Museum – Exercise your mind! Take in some ancient history or modern art.
Restorative Yoga – Take twenty minutes and stretch it all out.
All Hands on Deck – Book a massage to relax your hard-working muscles.
Exercise rewards in the form of self-care are a great way to thank yourself for all of the hard work you do. Use Monday as a way of acknowledging your accomplishments and being grateful for all that you’ve been able to achieve.
It’s the perfect opportunity to make new friends, explore exciting activities, and have a blast during your break. Join us at Ebster for a Teen Daycation you won’t forget!
Don’t let that hard-core runner convince you otherwise: Walking is real exercise. A 2013 study found that walkers who cover the same mileage as runners enjoy comparable improvements in a variety of health markers. One reason is because walking works the same muscles as running, only the intensity and duration are different. Sure, it’ll take you twice as long (or more) to cover the same distance as your runner friend, but walking is easier, more accessible, and may be the best exercise to start off with, especially if you’re a beginner.
Here are your talking points for why walking is real exercise:
Keeps your weight in check. According to a 2009 study, people who walk to work are less likely to rattle that obese marker. To burn enough calories to lose weight, the Mayo Clinic suggests putting on your sneakers and walking 30 minutes a day.
Helps regulate blood sugar. Walking combats Type 2 diabetes because it helps lower blood sugar levels, thus reducing insulin levels. But timing is everything. Walking for 15 minutes after every meal regulates blood sugar levels just as effectively as one 45-minute walk per day.
Promotes better digestion. What’s the antidote to lying down after a big meal (one of the worse things you can do for acid reflux and a host of other conditions)? Walk! The activity super-charges your digestion by moving the food faster through your body.
Prevents varicose veins. Walking helps to drain excess fluid from the lower legs and can help prevent varicose veins through the pumping action of the calf muscles. That increase in oxygen you’re feeling also gets rid of waste products in the tissues.
Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol just as much as running can, according to findings reported by the American Heart Association. In fact, the more walkers walked, the better their health improved.
Gentle on the joints. Doctors say gentle walking is the best exercise if you’re pregnant, morbidly obese, or suffering from arthritis. Walking may even help ease the pain of chronic illness. For those experiencing these conditions, experts suggest starting with just two to five minutes a day, then adding an extra two minutes every third day.
Mood lifter. Walking just makes you feel good! That’s because moving your body releases endorphins that dull pain receptors in the brain, sedate you, and can even make you feel happy, if not euphoric. A 2005 study found that walking briskly for 35 minutes five times a week, or 60 minutes three times a week, could significantly impact mild to moderate depression symptoms.
Better night’s rest. Tossing and turning all night? Take this insider’s tip from travel experts, who suggest walking around a new city on the day you arrive until it’s dark can help recalibrate your supply of melatonin. Essentially, the hormone is needed to synchronize your body clock to your new time zone; the more melatonin in your body, the sleepier you’ll feel at the right time.
How to walk right?Experts say that to ensure walking is real exercise and not just a friendly stroll you must walk fast enough to cover at least 3.5 miles an hour. That will feel like hurrying to a bus or trying to get out of the rain; the point is to feel slightly winded. If you’re a beginner, see that goal as an aspiration and slowly work up to it. Join us every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. (10 a.m. starting in October) outside the Decatur Recreation Center for a 2-3 mile walk around the city.
We’re pleased to introduce a change that’s aimed at providing you with better access and support. Starting September 1st, our office hours will be updated to enhance your experience with us.
New Hours: We’ll be available to assist you from Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM, and on Saturdays from 10 AM – 4 PM, in person or by calling (404) 377-0494.
Questions? Programs? We’ve Got You Covered: Have questions about our offerings? Want to know more about our exciting programs? Need to sign up for that class you’ve been eyeing? Look no further – just drop by during our office hours, and our front desk attendants will be on hand at the Decatur, Ebster, and Oakhurst Recreation Centers, as well as Glenlake Tennis Center to help.
QR Code Signage: As part of our commitment to enhancing your experience, we’ve introduced QR Code signage at each of our recreation centers. Scan these codes to access information about our offerings online.
We’re here to assist you, so whether you’re stopping by in person or exploring our programs online, we’re dedicated to making your experience a quality one.
There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to bring the family closer. So why not turn your plain-old, ordinary exercises into a family fitness challenge.
Experts recommend individuals spend at least 150 minutes per week exercising or being active, so we’ve compiled a list of exercises that can easily be converted into fitness challenges for you and the whole family to do together. Completing one or two of these challenges a week will help you satisfy that weekly workout requirement. Group challenges inevitably motivate you to push yourself a harder, and they can even help you squeeze out an extra rep (or two or three).
The cherry on top is that these fitness challenges don’t require any hardcore workout equipment; all you need is maybe a few chairs, some floor space, and a few willing participants. Below are five of our favorite:
Mountain Climbers:
Begin in plank position, hands under your shoulders, arms straight, head looking forward. Keeping your back straight, bring one knee to your chest, then back to plank. Repeat with the other leg, increasing speed as you go. See who can last the longest!
Jabs:
A great way to get out frustration and pent up energy, jabs are a good workout for even the most devout pacifist. To start, get into a “fighting stance” — abs tight, hands in fists guarding your chin, shoulders relaxed, hips should-width apart. On an exhale, punch straight with one arm without locking the elbow. Return to starting position and repeat. Who will get tired first?
Bicycle Crunches:
This one will have everyone feeling the burn. Tighten up those abs with this grueling bicycle crunch challenge. Lie on your back with your feet on the floor, knees bent, hands behind your ears. Press your lower back into the floor, engage your abs, and lift you head, shoulders and upper back. At the same time, twist to bring your right elbow to your left knee while simultaneously straightening your right leg. It’s like peddling a bike… only worse. First to 100 crunches wins!
Monday Mile:
Who will reach the finish line first? Speed walk, jog, run — it doesn’t matter how your family chooses to complete the task. Map out a cool trail through town or some other more rural paths. Along with your weekly Monday Mile, look for any charity walks or runs raising money for a cause that you and your family support.
Push-Up and Rotation:
If misery loves company, you’ll want the whole family here for this one. The push-up and rotation targets your abs, triceps, upper back, chest, and shoulders, making it a complete upper-body and core workout. Begin in a push-up position with your body off the floor. After one push-up, twist your body to the right and raise your right arm to the ceiling, into a side plank. Return to start and repeat on the other side. Set a timer for three minutes – who can do the most?
Staying Safe During High Temperatures: Cooling Centers Available
As the mercury climbs, the City of Decatur remains steadfast in prioritizing your well-being. In response to the upcoming heatwave, the Decatur Recreation Center (located at 231 Sycamore Street) will serve as a crucial cooling center on Sunday, August 27th, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. This center stands ready to offer a much-needed reprieve from the impending heatwave. Additionally, the Decatur Library, an integral part of the DeKalb County Library system, will also serve as a cooling center on Saturday, August 26th.
We wholeheartedly encourage all residents to take full advantage of these cooling facilities, ensuring relief and hydration, especially for those without access to air conditioning. As we navigate these challenging temperature conditions, remember, safety comes first. Let’s prioritize staying cool and keeping an eye out for each other.
Heat Advisory in Effect:
Take heed of the Heat Advisory issued until Sunday, August 27th, by NWS Peachtree City GA:
Heat index values up to 109 expected.
Impacted areas include portions of central, east central, north central, northeast, northwest, southeast, and west central Georgia.
Hot temperatures combined with high humidity may lead to heat-related illnesses.
Extra precautions are advised for outdoor workers and those involved in recreational activities, particularly children and young adults.
Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned spaces, and limit sun exposure.
Keep an eye on vulnerable individuals, including young children and pets, and never leave them unattended in vehicles.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and prioritize safety.
Remember, your health matters. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay cool during this challenging weather period.
But what’s a parent to do when they’ve got a couple of little ones bouncing off the walls? Instead of trying to get Chris and Sally to sit down to a puzzle, board game, or art project, use Monday as an opportunity to get everyone moving.We’ve picked some awesome Move It Monday actives to help the kids expend all of that excess energy: No iPad, X-Box, or television required!
Build an Obstacle Course
Let your imagination (and children) run wild with an obstacle course. Shift around the furniture, throw in some pillows, create some corridors, and send your kids on a fun journey through the house and into the yard. Need some inspiration? Consider adding in a puzzle half-way through the obstacle course or make a section that requires kids to crawl, hop, or wiggle their way through to the end.
Wacky Races
Go beyond the typical running race and introduce your kids to some cool and funky variations. Three-legged and wheel barrow races are always a hit, but you can also add in a crab walk, hop scotch, jump rope, or soccer ball to ramp up the fun. The more creative you get, the more captivated your audience.
Family Freeze Tag
This activity is perfect for a bigger group and a spacious backyard. Freeze tag is a classic, but the camaraderie necessary to rescue your frozen teammates can get even mom’s and dad’s adrenaline pumping. The stopping-and-starting of freeze tag allows you to exert a burst of energy — and then rest. In case you’ve forgotten, here’s a refresher on the rules: One person is “it” (they do the tagging); everyone else runs around until they are tagged. Once tagged, you remain “frozen” with your legs set wide apart until another player crawls through them, which unfreezes you. The game finishes when all players are frozen (or the “it” gets too tired).
Freeze Dance
If you’ve got a lot of kids to entertain, there’s nothing better than a groovy game of freeze dance. Put on some pop hits, grunge, gospel, rock, rap, Disney tunes, or whatever other music you fancy and start dancing. When the music is stopped (someone will have to be the DJ), anyone who is still moving is out. The last person standing wins!
As the summer season winds down, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to make the most of these warm days. McKoy Pool will be closing its doors for maintenance after regular hours on Sunday, August 20.
However, the aquatic fun continues at Ebster Pool, which will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm until September 4th.
Meanwhile, Glenlake Pool will be your weekday haven, open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8 pm until September 4th. And the fun doesn’t stop there – mark your calendars for September 9th and 10th when Glenlake Pool will finish up the season from 10 am to 6 pm.
As we bid farewell to another summer, take the opportunity to enjoy the refreshing waters, bask in the sun’s warm embrace, and savor the sense of community that our pools offer. These spaces have been a source of relaxation, exercise, and shared moments, and we’re here to ensure you have the chance to create lasting memories until the very end of the season. So, gather your loved ones, pack your towels, and join us as we embrace the final lap of summer at Decatur’s pools.
Gael Doyle
Greg White
saraeholmes
RSS - Posts