It’s Love My Bus Month!!

City of Decatur loves our City Schools of Decatur school bus drivers and aides. We’re thankful for all they do for our kids. Be sure to spread your encouraging words and praise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Decatur Active Living will be closing early today and reopening for regular hours Monday, November 28th.

The Tourism Bureau and Decatur Downtown Development Authority are hosting Small Business Saturday on the Square this Saturday, November 26. Santa will be there from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. you are invited to join the free event and bring your families. Bring your cameras and take a photo with Santa and enjoy some warm cookies, milk and cocoa. At the end of the day there is a Holiday PJs Dance Party – wear your holiday “best” pajamas to get into the holiday groove. For more information about this and other holiday events go to http://www.visitdecaturga.com

Phone lines are currently down

Remembering Dave Schneberger, our true Walk & Roll Superstar

Dave Schneberger

Dave Schneberger was one of the original members of Pedestrian Advisory Committee of the Decatur Active Living Board. In 2016, the committee decided to celebrate Decatur residents for whom walking or bicycling plays a central part in their lives, by selecting one each month as a Walk and Roll Star. This project was orchestrated by Dave from 2016 until we lost him this past July.

Each month he would interview and photograph a community member and write the Walk & Roll Superstar article in the Decatur FOCUS. I was one of those honorees, and will cherish the memory of Dave arriving at my house on his recumbent bicycle, accompanying me as we walked around my neighborhood to find a good photo spot, sharing about his life as he asked about mine. If you knew Dave you most certainly admired his quick wit, which invariably added sparkle to our meetings. On walks that our Committee led for the community, Dave, who had some lingering walking issues stemming from earlier surgeries, would volunteer to serve as sweep (helping those at the back), and always kept the conversation going. Gifted with words, he was, in fact, a poet. So sadly, Decatur has lost one of its most active and creative citizens.

Submitted by Ann Abramowitz, Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chair

The Pedestrian Advisory Committee will be honoring Dave and his many gifts to the community on Saturday, September 17 at 9:00 am. We will meet in front of Decatur Recreation Center then walk to Sycamore Park for a ceremony to celebrate Dave’s life. All are welcome to attend!

Active Living Employee Spotlight

As part of Park and Recreation Month, we are celebrating our Active Living employees! We are thankful for our dedicated employees who rise up to build strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation.

Our next Employee Spotlight is another professional that is newer to Decatur Active Living, Micheal Dantez Bennamon.

Micheal Dantez Bennamon is originally from Charleston, South Carolina and in 2014 came to Atlanta to attend Clayton State University on a full basketball scholarship. Micheal graduated with a B.A. in Marketing and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) in General Business. He loves to spend time with his family and friends, cherishing every moment and enjoying life. Micheal is a big believer in educating and being a role model for the next generation and to help them fulfill their potential to be the best human beings possible. As an Assistant Athletic Program Supervisor for Decatur Active Living, Micheal loves connecting with the city through athletics and community events. #riseupjuly

Recreatur Engagement Session

Help plan the future of Decatur’s Parks! Join us for an engagement session to talk about the Decatur Parks & Recreation 10-year Master Plan on Thursday, July 14 at 5 p.m. at the Community Resource Center, located at 481 Electric Ave Decatur, Ga 30030.

For more information, visit decaturrecreatur.com

Can’t make it? be sure to fill out the Online Survey on decaturrecreatur.com and have your input counted!

Decatur Recreation Center is NOW closed for filming. See you on Saturday.

The Decatur Rec Center will be closed to the public this Thursday and Friday for filming. For questions please email Lee.Williams@decaturga.com

May is Bike Month!

Come celebrate with us all month long and be sure to join us May 1st for our Kick-Off Ride! We’ll be partnering up with Georgia Commute Options for a casual paced 6 mile bike ride. We’ll begin and end at Decatur Recreation Center. Meet us at 10 a.m. and be sure to wear your helmet! This ride is not recommended for children.

Celebrate Earth Month!

Earth Month is upon us and we’re looking forward to Earth Day on April 22! If you’re still searching for fun activities and ways to celebrate, no worries—here are 10 ideas to help get you started:

  1.  Gather your friends and colleagues for a casual outdoor yoga or stretching session. This is a great activity to help you concentrate on mind-body wellness while connecting with the outdoors. Pro tip: Plan your session at sunrise or sunset for an even more beautiful and relaxing experience.
  2.  Have old outdoor gear, toys, or clothes that you’re looking to replace? Host a neighborhood clothing or toy swap. This is a great way to find a new home for items you’re looking to part with, snag some “new” goods, and reduce waste by diverting your unwanted belongings from landfills.
  3.  We’ve all heard of New Year’s resolutions, but what about Earth Day resolutions? Create a checklist with some short term and long term goals, or jot down some eco-minded ideas in a journal to inspire you to treat every day like Earth Day!
  4.  Nothing says Earth Day like a rejuvenating hike and litter clean-up combo! Whether you’re hitting the trail with a group of friends or going for a solo stroll around the neighborhood, this is a great way to get in your exercise for the day while helping to keep our planet beautiful.

    Join our Hiking Club on April 23 for an Earth Day hike around Sweetwater Creek State Park. Email Gael.Doyle@decaturga.com for more info!

  5.  Have old electronic devices or equipment sitting around? You’re not the only one! Host a drive at your workplace or school to collect e-waste and other materials that can be difficult to recycle.
  6.  Get crafty with some environmentally-inspired Do-It-Yourself projects! Transform your old T-shirts into fun reusable shopping totes, or create homemade stationary by making biodegradable seed paper.
  7.  Plant a tree, or two, or three! Get your hands dirty and plant some native flowers or trees to help restore local habitats and keep our planet beautiful.

    Check out beecaturga.com for information on pollinator habitats around the city.

  8.  There’s no better time to get started on your spring cleaning than Earth Month! Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products to make your home spotless, and get rid of clutter by collecting gently used clothes, furniture, and other household items you no longer have a use for to donate to people in need.
  9.  Earth Day is a great opportunity for us to reflect on our own ecological footprints and consider ways in which we can reduce our  impact on a daily basis. A great way to start thinking about this is by going on “scavenger hunt” of your home or your workplace to search for areas where you can reduce waste, energy, and water use. Not only will you be conserving natural resources, but the savings you generate can help your wallet too!
  10.  Find some time to enjoy nature-themed books like Dr. Suess’s The Lorax—a great option for children and adults alike!

Be sure to join us April 23rd from 10-2 for our Earth Day Festival at the Decatur Rec Center. More info can be found here!

It’s Move It Monday!

From our Friends at Move It Monday:

What you eat before and after you exercise is almost as important as the workout itself. Food is your fuel—it gives you the energy necessary to be active and focused, and it also provides the nutrients required to build muscle and bone strength, as well as help the body recover post workout.