Decatur Parks & Recreation

Parks and Playground Use Up in Down Economy

From The Trust for Public Land:
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=23098&folder_id=3208

A recent study suggest the economic downturn has spurred a sharp increase in public park and playground use among families with kids, especially those with children younger than 6 years old. Here are the results of a poll conducted on behalf of TPL by Harris Interactive from July 28-30, 2009. The sample included 2,095 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older.

The poll asked this question: During this period of economic difficulty, have you and your family changed how much you make use of public parks and playgrounds?

Those who responded fell into one of four groups and were given a choice of three responses: I/We: make greater use of public parks and playground; use public parks and playgrounds the same amount; or make less use of public parks and playgrounds.

All groups showed increased use, but two groups in particular showed a sharp increase.

Park users with children in the household:
greater use 30%
same use 60%
less use 10%

Park users with children under age 6 years in the household:
greater use 38%
same use 51%
less use 10%

You can view the complete results and methodology of this poll/study by downloading this pdf.

Walk or Bike Down the Square Wednesdays and Saturdays for FREE Concerts!

You know the best part of the Concerts on the Square? They are so easy to walk and bike to!

Friday – Decatur Bulldog Boosters Annual SpiritFest

http://www.dhs.cityschoolsofdecatur.com/boosters.shtml

Annual SpiritFest

Friday, 28 August, is varsity football’s regular season home opener vs. local rival Druid Hills. Before the game, the DBB will again host our annual SpiritFest, an old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing pep rally. The band will play, the drill team will dance, and the cheerleaders will cheer. So come on out and be part of SpiritFest 2009 and then watch our Bulldog football team play their first regular season home game.

This year’s celebration will be especially meaningful to the Decatur Community as we will remember Barbara Nettles by presenting a short tribute and observing a moment of silence at the beginning of the rally. Barbara was the originator and primary organizer behind the SpiritFest in the past and the Decatur Bulldog Boosters would like to dedicate this year’s rally to her memory.

Remember: SpiritFest starts at 6:00 p.m.; Kick-off is 7:30 p.m.

Free Parking at the Courthouse Deck at Trinity & Commerce

For more information on SpiritFest 2009, e-mail Leah Vaughan, leahvaughan@sycamoreconsulting.com or call her at 404-377-7578.

Georgia’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan

Sept. 13 – Celebrate National Grandparents Day at a Georgia State Park

Little ones who are lovingly spoiled by their grandparents can return the favor on National Grandparents Day, September 13. Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites offers plenty of memory-making ideas sure to entertain 5-year-olds and 50-year-olds alike.

Fire up the grill, pack up the fishing poles and spend the day enjoying each other’s company. All of Georgia’s state parks offer spectacular scenery, and most have easy nature trails, mini-golf, boating, animal exhibits and more. The paved trail at Panola Mountain State Park is perfect for strollers and bikes, while the lake at General Coffee State Park is a favorite spot for watching for wildlife. Large families can turn National Grandparents Day into a big celebration by renting covered picnic shelters or enclosed group shelters.

Remember the gooey fun of making s’mores? Plan a family camping trip where grandparents can tell stories around the campfire. No tent? No problem. Many outfitters and dealerships rent camping gear or RVs, while Red Top Mountain and High Falls state parks offer yurts. If sleeping under the stars isn’t for your grandparents, most state parks also offer cottages or hotel-style lodge rooms. Recently, the five state park lodges introduced lower “lodge-ical” weekday rates starting at $69 and $79 per night. Leave the kitchen chores behind because free breakfast is included in lodge stays at Amicalola Falls, George T. Bagby, Little Ocmulgee, Red Top Mountain and Unicoi state parks.

For many families, Georgia’s historic sites are a creative way for children to learn about their heritage. Families with a Native American history can tour New Echota Cherokee Capitol and Chief Vann House historic sites in northwest Georgia. Are your ancestors from “across the pond”? Pretty Fort King George Historic Site on the coast tells the story of a British outpost during the 1720s. Does Grandpa have Appalachian roots? Dahlonega Gold Museum in the north Georgia mountains has a new film with images from the 1830s gold rush.

For help in planning a Grandparents Day celebration for your family, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or to make reservations call 1-800-864-PARK (7275).

The Grass Stain Guru blog

Here’s a blog encouraging kids and grown ups to get outside and be active!

Sept. 12 – Captain Healthy and Safety Dog Puppet Show

Thanks for the tip from the Next Stop…Decatur blog:

The Sport of the Arts – Decatur Winterguard!

Check out Decatur Winterguard!

Winterguard is know as the “Sport of the Arts”: http://wgi.org/about/whatiswgi.php. It’s a great activity for high school and middle school students, male and female.

Click HERE for photo’s.

Please e-mail decaturwinterguard@gmail.com or Clayton.duggan@gmail.com for information.

Practices are held Sundays at the Ebster Rec. Center, 404 West Trinity.

Walkability Shown to Improve Home Values

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition – Share the Road Challenge

http://www.atlantabike.org/SharetheRoadChallenge2009

If you’ve been considering a way to spend Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7) without going out of town or spending a ton of money, come support our mission to make Atlanta a safer place to bike.

Our annual fundraising ride is right around the corner and early registration ends on Aug. 31.

In addition to a discounted rate, pre-registered participants are guaranteed a pair of custom CoolMax socks sporting our new logo and designed especially for this ride.

This year’s ride is fully supported and offers rest stops along the multi-mileage option routes.

Please sign-up today! We’ll see you on the road.