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University System of Georgia

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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Parks & Recreation

PARKS AND RECREATION is a bureau of the Department of Parks, Libraries v and Cultural Affairs. It has slowly evolved into a far-flung urban park system embracing 635 permanent and 400 seasonal employees -- the third largest work force in City government. The complex, diverse operations of the Bureau include recreation programs, the Zoo, Cyclo- rama, golf and tennis, forestry, engineering, horticulture and city arborist services. The Bureau consists of over 100 parks, including strip parks and beauty spots.

MAYOR MAYNARD JACKSON COMMISSIONER HOPE T. MOORE

Table of Contents

2 Zoo 1? 4 Golf 14 Business Operatior 6 Tenn is ..16 Operat ing Budget. . 8 Field Operations... 16 Capital Funds 9 Recreat ion . .18 Revenue Producing Faci1i ti es. 10 Super Summer ?7 11 Information Office. ..24 SB 4S3 /) 7 / 9

The Honorable Maynard Jackson, Mayor C ity of At 1anta , Georgia

THEODORE MASTROI ANN I Dear Mayor Jackson:

Since coming on board with the Bureau of Parks and Recreation in May, 1975, I have been impressed with the many projects under­ taken by the staff. I believe this has been a most outstanding year.

Our recreation staff contributed mightily to the city-wide Super Summer program, serving some 927.038 participants in 15 pro­ grams during the nine week-period. These professionals were able to stretch their already over-burdened staff to cover the openings of two new facilities and the replacement/expansion of three others, and still keep the gymnasiums open seven days a week.

Field Operations is well on the way to the full establishment of a city tree nursery, and is host to frequent education classes at the city greenhouses. Field workers have been placed on a stag­ gered work schedule, insuring our city cleaner parks on a regular basis. Oakland Cemetery is seeing a rebirth: a candidate for placement on the National Register of Historic Places, it is being carefully restored to its former glory, a project which has the endorsement of the Atlanta Bicentennial Commission.

On an administrative level, our Business Operations division has inaugurated many innovative procedures and practices through­ out the year, including the establishment of a daily correspondence log, a park permit coordinator and an in-service training program.

Because parks and recreation play such a vital role in the lives of Atlanta's citizens, we are constantly striving to improve our programs and facilities. I think you'll agree with me after reading this report, that 1975 has been a most unusual and pro­ gressive year for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation.

Theodore Mastroianni Di rector Bureau of Parks and Recreation 2 ADMINISTRATION

Hope T. Moore Commi ss ioner Department of Parks, Libraries & Cultural Affairs

Theodore Mastroianni Di rector Bureau of Parks and Recreation

Stanley T. Martin, Jr. First Deputy Director

Fred Morgan Marvin Billups Virginia Carmichael Deputy Di rector Deputy Di rector Deputy Director for Business Operations for Field Operations for Recreation

...In March, 1975, Mayor Maynard Jackson appointed the City's first commissioner for Parks, Libraries and Cultural Affairs. Hope Moore brought to the job her boundless energy and a background of civic and cultural leadership, both in public and private 1i fe.

...Theodore Mastroianni, a former deputy parks commissioner from New York City, assumed the reins of the Bureau in May of this year. Fast moving and aggressive, Director Mastroianni immediately set out to maximize efficiency in daily operations, planning, and project implementation.

...The administration of the Bureau of Parks and Recreation has brought to fruition many plans and projects, notably, the Great Park Ad Hoc Committee, steps toward implementing the Zoo Master Plan, beginning of Cyclorama restoration, public awareness in the Oakland Cemetery restoration, adoption of the city Tree Ordinance, a tree planting pro­ gram, development and initiation of a plan for Underground Atlanta Historical Park, and development of a plan to use 132-acre Lakewood Fairground as a public leisure facility. Other outstanding achievements include development of the one, five, and fifteen-year Comprehensive Development Plan emphasizing the City Beautiful concept through linear parks under utility rights-of-ways, use of flood plain areas, and nature and wild life preserves and sanctuaries. 3

Focusing on strengthening existing programs and facilities, the administrators strive to use staff and time more wisely in order to do more with less. For the last six months, gymnasiums have been open seven days a week with no increase in personnel or salary. During the summer, maintenance crews worked split shifts to start earlier and finish later, insur­ ing Atlanta cleaner, neater parks. A free fire wood program was begun, eliminating wasteful trips to a dump outside the perimeter, and providing citizens with free-for-the-cutting- and-hauling firewood year-round.

We have football goals, soccer goals, goals in basketball, goals of all sorts and shapes. Some of our most important goals, though, are the goals of the entire Bureau of Parks and Recreation:

...To assure present and future populations of adequate open space to meet the increasing leisure demands of an urbanized society -

...To maximize usage of facilities and participation in leisure activities and programs -

...To maintain and up-grade existing facilities to insure continuation of adequate leisure services and programs in all neighborhoods of the City -

...To preserve, protect and enhance environmental features in the interest of balanced urban ecology both human and physical -

...To provide needed facilities to meet both the passive and active leisure needs of all citizens and thereby enhance the urban social ecology -

...To provide administrative and maintenance support services -

...To promote joint ventures for cooperative funding development, and use of publicly and privately owned 1e isure fac i1i t ies. A ENGINEERING

Engineering is T-squares, scale models, colorful renderings, construc­ tion bids, surveying maps, drainage problems, change orders, bricks and mortar.

It's also people planning for people's needs. It's four landscape architects, a draftsman and a secretary plus engineering crews and equi pment.

The engineering division is responsible for planning, designing and constructing Atlanta's new park facilities.

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

- Wesley Coan Recreation Center Construction - Butler Park Recreation Center Construction - Bedford Pine Recreation Center Construction - Peachtree Point Park Development - Grant Park Recreation Center Construction - Central City Park Extension - Buckhead Park Development - Phoenix-McGi11, Phoenix-Dunbar Land Acquisition (20 acres] - Bathhouse Reconstruction - Oakland City Park Pool Reconstruction - Garden Hills Bathhouse Construction - Piedmont Park Tennis Courts - Adams Park Tennis Courts - Washington Park Tennis Courts - Anderson Park Tennis Courts - Brownsmill Golf Course Cart Paths Improvements - Drew Park Gymnasium Parking Lot - Peyton Forest Athletic Field and Parking Lot 5

CURRENT PROJECTS

Projects that are either in the construction, bid, or contract steps stage and should be completed in the near future.

- Bobby Jones Golf Course Reconstruction - Thomasville Recreation Center and Gymnasium - Collier Park Recreation Building - Underground Atlanta Historic Park Development - Phoenix Park Development - Mozley Park Swimming Pool Reconstruction - Swimming Pool Reconstruction - City-Wide Tree Replacement - Tennis Court Improvements - East Lake Park Goldsboro Park Adamsvilie Park Harper Park McClatchey Park West Manor Park - Grant Park Zoo Rhino House Construction

PROJECTED PROJECTS - Development of Adams Regional Park - Southside Regional Park Phase I Development - Improvements - Bathhouse Renovation - Mozley Park Maddox Park Tucson Tra i1 - Oakland Cemetery Improvements - Coan Park Phase II Development - Cabbagetown-Reynoldstown Neighborhood Park Land Acquisition (6 acres) - Perry Homes Indoor Swimming Pool - John F. Kennedy Indoor Swimming Pool - Oakland City Park Recreation Center - Joyland Park Diving Pool - A. D. Williams Recreation Center - Cabbagetown-Reynoldstown Recreation Center - Recreation Center and Gymnasium - Chosewood Park Recreation Center - University Park Recreation Center - Bobby Jones Golf Clubhouse Remodeling - Reconstruct Adams Park Golf Course - Develop Tennis Control Center At Chastain Park - Construction of a Tennis Center for the Southwest District at John A. White Park - C. W. Hill Park Land Acquisition (7 acres) - Cabbagetown Block Parks Land Acquisition (2 acres) - Wilson Mill Park Land Acquisition (16 acres) - Vine City Park Land Acquisition (15 acres) - Home Park Improvements - Wesley Coan Park Tennis Court Construction - Grant Park Improvements 6 BUSINESS OPERATIONS

objectives

One of the strategic divisions within the Bureau of Parks and Recreation is the Division of Business Operations. To the Business Operations Division belongs the responsibility for budgeting, planning, research, and general administrative ser­ vices. Included within this division are the Zoo and Cyclorama, two of the City's major tourist attractions and revenue pro­ ducers. Other significant functions of the Business Operations Division include the preparation of grant applications, legislative coordination, purchasing coordination, and personnel management.

accomplishments

PROCEDURES & PRACTICES

Many innovative administrative procedures and practices have been inaugurated throughout the year. Listed here are a few of the most significant ones:

Employee Identification Cards Answering Service (after hours) Centralization of Park Permits Unusual Incidents Report Beeper System Manual of Policies and Procedures Correspondence Log Modification of Park Rules and Regulations In-Service Training 7

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

A one, five, and fifteen-year plan has been developed with consider- able citizen input at the neighborhood level. This plan is designed to accomplish the Bureau's basic goals for providing leisure services to a diversified urban community.

JOINT USE TASK FORCE

The Joint Use Task Force grew out of a need for immediate cooperative action among public agencies to more beneficially serve the citizens of Atlanta. The Bureau of Parks and Recreation, with the cooperation of other agencies, is compiling recommendations for cooperative pro­ gramming, planning and development.

LEISURE TIME STUDY

The Bureau of Parks and Recreation is compiling a Leisure Time Study in conjunction with the Bureau of Planning and other leisure-oriented agencies. Essentially, the Leisure Time Study is an update and expan­ sion of Atlanta's 15-Year Plan and summarizes existing services and facilities, and present and future needs. When completed, the Leisure Time Study will reflect citizen input from the neighborhood level up, and should prevent duplication of leisure services.

C.E.T.A.

Comprehensive Employment and Training Act C.E.T.A. Emergency Job Program; Title VI of this federally-funded emergency job program was two-fold in that it provided temporary employment opportunities for the unemployed, and additional technical and general assistance to all City departments for special work programs.

The Bureau of Parks and Recreation employs a total of 216 C.E.T.A. personnel. These employees have provided the additional thrust that has allowed the Bureau to meet some of its basic needs. 8 1975 OPERATING BUDGET

Admi ni strat ion 3% $ 278,976 Cyclorama 1% 105,^62 Zoo 7% 536,763 Park Engineering \% 102,519 Recreat ion 32% 2,786,268 Field Operations kk% 3,7^6,248 Golf and Tennis ]2% 1,068,890 100% $8,625,126

The City Pie... Safety

..Our slice

61.8* Parks and Recreat ion 9 CAPITAL FUNDS

ANNUAL BOND FUND

Candler Park Improvements $600,000 Adams Park Improvements 500,000 Bathhouse Renovation 200,000 (Mozley, Maddox, Tucson, Chastain) $1,300,000 TOTAL A.B.

PARK IMPROVEMENT FUND

Oakland City and Mozley Park $170,000 Renovat ions Collier Park Recreation Center 100,000 Oakland Cemetery Improvements 215,000 Miscellaneous Small Park 240,000 Improvements Miscellaneous Park Lighting 50,000 Tennis Court Improvements 133,000 Topographical and Boundary Surveys 7,000 Plans, Studies and Advisory Services 3,000

$ 918,000 TOTAL P.I.

FEDERAL GRANTS

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (CD) FUNDS

Wesley Coan Park Development $305,000 Reynoldstown Park Development 295,000 Cabbagetown Block Parks 20,000 Perry Homes Swimming Pool 500,000 John F. Kennedy Swimming Pool 500,000 Anderson Park Improvements *45,000 Oakland City Park Improvements 325,000 Grant Park Improvements 55,000 Joyland Park Diving Pool 45,000 C. W. Hill Park Expansion 90,000 Home Park Improvements 50,000 Oakland Cemetery Restoration 75,000

$2,305,000 Total BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION (B0R) FUNDS

Southside Park (Phase I Development) 175,000

RECREATION SUPPORT PROGRAM (RSP)FUNDS 32,400

Total Federal Funds Received $2,512,400 TOTAL FEDERAL 10

J ! REVENUE *

PRODUCING I 1 FACILITIES I"

1^ 1975 TOTAL IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 450

417 ,509 400

350

300

250 249,652

200

150 147,921

100

50

36 ,084

0 cqclorama zoo golf tennis CYCLORAMA

In May of 1975 a non-profit organization, Cyclorama Restoration, Inc., was established to educate the public about the Cyclorama as an historical educational tool, and raise funds for its restor­ ation.

City funds in the amount of $*•2*1,000 are on hand and earmarked for extensive renovation of the Cyclorama building. Plans are also underway to control atmospheric conditions in the building to stop the deterioration of the painting. 12 ZOO

The Atlanta Zoo has been in continuous operation on the same site for over 85 years, making it the ninth oldest American Zoo. This year, Mayor Maynard Jackson approved a Zoo Master Plan which calls for

increasing the acreage of the present zoo from approximately A5 to 75 acres

arranging the exhibits in the zoo on a continental basis, that is, Africa, Asia, South America, North America, and Austrialia, showing the predator-prey relationships when possible

redesigning the reptile, primate and feline houses

changing the present children's zoo concept and replacing it with a Children's Learning Center

transforming the present Cyclorama building into an administrative and ecology center as soon as the present Cyclorama is relocated

stressing the aesthetics of the site by impounding water to create sizable lagoons and also enhancing the zoo with carefully selected landscape material

redesigning the present visitors center into a functional cafeteria style restaurant; and install­ ing a monorail as an additional attraction to the zoo as part of the zoo operated concessions

restructuring the personnel and upgrading the quality of services through improved wage and salary schedules and educational programs

- using a strengthened zoological society to a greater extent giving the society more responsibility in the zoo operation

- establishing a long-range funding program so that an orderly effectuation of the Master Plan can be accomplished over a 5 to 8 year period.

Though there is much excitement over the new Master Plan, ways to better serve the visitors are continually sought as is reflected in the new Prairie Dog Town exhibit and a cage for the Lesser Pandas.

Ninety of the rare and endangered Morelet's crocodiles have also been successfully bred and hatched. Some of this rare species will be utilized in restocking efforts with the government of Mexico. 204,251

224,253 GOLF

Fifty years ago, most golfers played at private clubs. But with the increasing popularity of the game and the growth in population and affluence, this picture has reversed. Today it is estimated that 45% of all golfers play on municipal courses. objectives

A. ADAMS To renovate clubhouse, replacing window frames and flooring; to construct cart paths and new starter building; to construct two rain shelters and restrooms.

B. BOBBY JONES To move tees and greens away from Peachtree Creek; to improve entire course appearance; to install a modern golf water system.

BROWNS MILL To cover front yard area with hybrid grass; to construct two rain shelters with rest- room faci1i t ies.

D. CANDLER To remodel clubhouse; to pave parking area; to renovate tees and greens; to install a modern golf water system.

E. NORTH FULTON To construct rain shelters with restrooms; to replace old wood bridges; to beautify the course by straightening and shaping slopes and adding rip rap to drainage ditches.

F. PIEDMONT To resod tees.

G. JOHN A. WHITE To renovate clubhouse; to construct mainte­ nance bui1di ng. accomplishments

A. ADAMS Built new electric cart shelter; rewired and painted interior of pro shop; provided showers and lockers; resodded tees; enlarged some tees installed partial fencing.

B. BOBBY JONES Completed plans for renovation.

C. BROWNS MILL Developed excellent turf (Tlfgreen Burmuda and Tifway Bermuda); constructed cart paths; im­ proved drainage.

D. NORTH FULTON Resodded all tees.

Increased standard of maintenance, sodded and grassed tees, greens collars, and fairways; constructed paths. 15 TENNIS

Interest in tennis has increased tremendously in the past year or two. As a result, the city has built four new courts this year and rebuilt sixteen. Administration of the two tennis centers, Bitsy Grant and Washington, has worked to increase the revenues received from these facilities, and put the tennis professionals under contract.

During 1975, courts at Chastain and Piedmont were incorporated under the Tennis Manager. This move was in line with a move to incorporate all tennis courts under the Golf and Tennis Manager, starting with the larger sets of courts.

objectives

A. WASHINGTON To resurface two courts; increase revenue.

B. BITSY GRANT To paint the tennis center building; recoat the court surface as needed;increase revenues.

CHASTAIN To resurface the nine courts, provide pro­ fessional lessons for a fee, monitor court use; establish a fee system.

PIEDMONT To provide professional lessons, establish fee system; provide professional lessons for a fee; monitor court use.

accomplishments

WASHINGTON Remodeled six of eight courts: three Laykold courts were rebuilt and recoated, and three courts converted to Laykold; enlarged tennis center building; increased storage space.

B. BITSY GRANT Lessened subsidy from city to center; renovated pro shop, added air-conditioning; renovated practice court.

C. PIEDMONT Converted 13 clay courts to Laykold; increased patronage substantially; installed assistant pro to provide lessons. 16 FIELD OPERATIONS

objectives

The Field Operations Division is primarily responsible for the beautificat ion, upkeep, and maintenance of all parks, and park facilities. This division consists of four distinct branches whose coordinated efforts are essential to a well ordered park system.

A. MAINTENANCE OF GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS

Ground and Building Maintenance is totally responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all park grounds, swimming pools, beauty triangles and athletic fields. Cleaning everything from floors, showers, and gamerooms, to handball courts, picnic areas, and golf courses, this branch seeks to make all park facilities safe and attractive for public use.

B. HORTICULTURAL AND FORESTRY SERVICES

Aside from maintaining the downtown parks, the greenhouse, or Horticulture, staff is responsible for the growth and care of plants that are used by the Bureau.

The forestry staff remove trees or portions of trees that are dead or damaged by storm, disease, insect attack; or that create a hazard to public or private property. They also

prune and spray trees replace trees previously removed improve rights-of-ways by removal of shrubbery and hazardous condi t ions split wood for the public stock piles

C. SKILLED MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Maintenance and construction tasks that require skilled trades are performed by what we know as the Central Service work force. This force is composed of carpenters, electricians, masoners, painters, graders and building maintenance mechanics.

D. TREE SERVICES

The City Arborist or Tree Manager enforces the city tree ordi­ nance, assists homeowners and developers alike in landscape planning and coordinates plans with MARTA and various govern­ mental agencies. He also gives general direction to the opera­ tions of the City's recently established tree farm. 17 accomplishments

Though there are numerous tasks to be performed daily, Field Operations finds time for special projects. Some of their most significant pro­ jects during 1975 are listed.

Increased efficiency in the removal of litter and garbage through the use of chemicals and sanitation compactor trucks.

Increased fertilization efficiency by soil testing in one- thi rd of the parks.

Reclaimed badly eroded soil in three acres.

Instigated a project to make playgrounds more accessible to the handicapped.

Began the restoration of Oakland Cemetery so as to preserve it as a hi stori c s ite.

Arranged and coordinated beautification projects with volunteers from the Grant Park Neighborhood and Grant Park Club, Presby­ terian Youth Group and the Southwest Community Park Improvement Group.

Operated two public dumps following the tornado.

Established an extensive herbicide program throughout the parks system.

Assembled an archives of stone rubbings on all of the endangered stones in Oakland Cemetery and filed for the cemetery to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Improved the City Tree Ordinance and provided professional testi­ mony for Dekalb County and Gainesville, Georgia on the effectveness and implementation of tree ordinances.

Organized tree replacement for tornado area residents.

Established and stocked the city tree farm. 18 RECREATION

What is recreation?

Recreation is not sports; it is not athletics; it is not arts and crafts. Recreation is all of these and more. It is an opportunity to get away from pressing problems, the job, and the fast pace and bustle of the city. It is the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and meaning of nature, to feel the joy of creation and to enjoy fellowship with others. Recreation can offer the adventure of new experience, a sense of an achievement and a feeling of physical well-being. All of these experiences are necessary for physical, mental and social health of people...

objectives ...To provide recreation programs in all neighborhoods of the City -

...To obtain adequate participation of residents in each neighborhood

...To insure that the citizens of Atlanta are well-informed about all recreation services -

...To provide a well-balanced program for all ages, with a variety of interests.

accomplishments

Chastain Arts and Crafts Center, along with its two satellite centers, Mt. Paran and Orchard Knob, and arts/crafts activities at Pittman Park, spent the year in varied activities. In addition to the regu­ larly scheduled classes involving approximately 8,000 participants annually, many special events were successfully carried out: i.e., consultation to the public in relation to the visual arts; sponsoring the Atlanta Crafts Guild and other guilds and organizations of working artists and craftspeople; workshops with specialists in many fields from across the country and as far away as Nigeria; special programs and activities for individual groups, Camp Fire Girls, Girl Scouts, exceptional children, agencies, etc., and individualized instruction for participants. 19

Cultural arts: more than backyard talent shows. More than panicky recitals. More than amateurish attempts at Broadway. Cultural arts provided many special events throughout the year, including events co-sponsored by other agencies:

- Hospital Audiences, Inc. - Mime Theatre performance at Kennedy Center - Smithsonian Institute's "New Ways in the Old" Works on Tour at Kennedy Center, Central City Park, Mozley Park; and workshops at Spelman College and the Neighborhood Art Center - Chicago Angel Drill Team at Central City Park - Brad Williams Fashion Show at Kennedy Center

Seasonal events of Cultural Arts include:

- Touring Company In Summer - Performing Arts workshops in fall and spring - Mobile Recreation year-round - Road Shows in Summer - Gospel Shows in Summer

The Performing Arts is an area which incorporates music, dance, drama and mobile recreation. The program is designed to meet the needs of all individuals through a city-wide recreation program.

Therapeutic Recreation falls under the aegis of Cultural Arts, and serves people who belong to the special population, i.e., the mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, physically handicapped, deaf, cerebral palsied, epileptic, visually impaired, and adult and youthful offenders. Much work was done with the participants to prepare them for the 1975 Special Olympics held at Lakewood Stadium.

The Mobile Recreation progam provides a mobile city-wide entertainment unit"! Upon request, these units (skatemobi le, puppetmobi 1 e, showmobile, game mobile) are scheduled to produce variety shows, puppet shows, skating parties, record hops and other special productions. 20

YOUTH ATHLETICS (BOYS)

T rack Basketbal1

Number of teams - 11 Number of teams - 101 Number of participants - 800 Leagues - 13 Participation - 2,400 Games - 566 Games - 4 track and field Participants - 1 ,010 Spectators - 6,000 Participation - 11,320 Spectators - 84,900

Footba11

Number of teams - 41 Leagues - 6 Games - 128 Part ici pants - 1,353 Participation - 6,200 Spectators - 24,800

Softbal1 Baseba11

Number of teams - 22 Number of teams - 107 Leagues - 4 Leagues - 14 Games - 86 Games - 452 Participants - 330 Participants - 1,605 Participation - 2,064 Participation - 10,848 Spectators - 6,660 Spectators - 45,200

YOUTH ATHLETICS (GIRLS)

Basketba11

Number of teams - 28 Number of participants - 311

The Recreation Division provided seven weeks of league play with two post-season tournaments -- a City Championship Tournament, a "Class" Tournament, and an Awards Hour.

The City championships offered post-season play for the top two teams of each league in each age group. 21

The Recreation Division offers a year-round Adult Athletic Program. All adults are eligible to participate in any area offered. There is, however, an entry fee system. Leagues are organized in touch football, basketball, co-ed volleyball and softball.

The Adult Athletic office also reserves fields for use by some two dozen agencies and provides scheduling coordination and personnel for league play.

1975 adult participation is listed below:

Basketbal1 - Second Half Volleybal1 - Mid-March thru (January thru March) May

85 Teams AO Teams 11 Leagues 100 Games 190 Games A Leagues 1,A00 Part ici pants A50 Participants 5,000 Spectators 1,000 Spectators

Softba11 - Mid-April thru Fields: Piedmont (2), end of August Grant (3), Perkerson, Peach- tree Hills, Key, Adams, Eng­ 278 Teams (1st Half) lish, Ben Hill, South Bend, 36 Leagues Pittman, Maddox, Mozley 1,0A6 Games in 7 wks. (186 rainouts) 6,000 Participants Special Events: 160,000 Spectators 18 Tournaments (weekend) 285 Teams (2nd Half) 256 Teams 1,096 Games in 7i wks (19A rainouts) 521 Games 6,500 Participants 5,000 Participants 200,000 Spectators 15,000 Spectators

Touch Football - Mid September Flag Footba11 through November

52 Teams 25 Teams 6 Leagues 3 Leagues 2A0 Games 7A Games 800 Participants 500 Participants 3,000 Spectators 5,000 Spectators

Basketbal1 - 1st Half (Oct. thru December)

62 Teams 8 Leagues A00 Games (est.) 900 Participants (est.) 2,000 Spectators (est.) 22

Recreation is divided into four city-wide districts, northwest, north­ east, southwest and southeast. District supervisors maintain staff schedules, coordinate program scheduling, act as liaisons with Field Operations, and perform general administrative duties. The districts report participation figures for 1975-

NUMBER ANNUAL OF PARTICIPATION DISTRICT FACILITIES TOTAL

Northeast 12 473,674

Southwest 10 600,448

Southeast 10 53*1,202

Northwest 12 737,157

TOTAL 4,690,962

Recreation Division strives to provide a well-balanced program for all with a wide variety of interests; to insure that citizens are well-informed about recreation services, and to encourage optimum use of all recreation facilities and programs.

SUPER SUMMER 75

Summertime is fun time. And fun means doing most anything you can do for laughter, friendship and creativity. You can find almost any­ thing happening in the parks in the summer: musical roadshows, swimming, horseshoes, baton twirling, arts and crafts, bellydancing. Ask, and it's probably there in one of the 39 year-round recreation centers, 45 summer playlots, or 3 arts and crafts centers.

Atlanta's parks are visited by the High Museum Art Bus, the skate- mobile, art mobile, the Mayor and a quarter of a million regular participants every summer month. Park regulars visit other places as well: resident camp, state parks, the municipal auditorium, Central City Park, the Atlanta Police and Fire department, and many more.

Drop by a summer playlot - you'll probably see either a port-a-pool or the Pepsi Mobile Tennis van. These programs take activities into the neighborhoods where lessons are relatively inaccessible. Parking lots become Forest Hills, and minature Mark Spitzes emerge triumphantly from overgrown bath tubs.

The Bureau of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the Super Summer '75 staff was successful in making this summer the best ever. Our efforts made it possible for hundreds of youth to gain summer employment and to engage in leisure time activities. Although the recreation budget was cut significantly, the additional appropriation by the city in the amount of $190,000 enabled us to provide our usual services and to meet our expectations and more.

During the nine week period (Super Summer) the Bureau provided the following activities:

Arts and Crafts Camping Residents Tournaments and Contests Playground Games Summer Fun Table Tennis Special Events Golf City-wide Frisbee Trips and Tours Swimming Hula Hoop Free Lunch Programs Sports & Athletics Mobile Recreation

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Hawk's Basketball Clinic:j The Atlanta Hawks and Bureau of Parks and Recreation sponsored a basketball clinic and league play for over 300 children in the Super Summer '75 program.

A.A.U. Swim Meet: Officials of the Northlake Aquatics Club and the Bureau of Parks and Recreation united to plan and run the Southeast's largest swim meet at Grant Park. I'

Cultural Expose '751 Participants were given instruction in fashion design and other forms of art and had first-hand contact with pro­ fessionals in each area offered. The finished production toured the city.

T ransportat ion: The Bureau of Parks and Recreation sponsored trans­ portation for field trips and to special events for all agencies participating in the Super Summer '75 program. A total of 277 buses were ordered by social service agencies and 314 buses by Recreation. Nearly 600 buses were used at a cost of $45,000.

Swimming: The swimming program played an important part in the summer program. There were three swim meets and a host of free group swim passes given. This was the first year that the Bureau offered the Free Swim program to all children 12 years of age and under. Many favorable remarks of appreciation have come to the Bureau due to the free swim program.

Swimming Pools: Port-a-Pools:

Adams Park Gun Club Piedmont Park Bankhead Courts Anderson Park Joy land Park P i ttman Park Butler Park Candler Park Wesley Avenue South Bend Park I .P . Reynolds Chastain Park Maddox Park Thomasvi11e Rebel Valley Ga rden Hills Mozley Park Washington Park Grant Park Oakland C ity J. A. Wh it e 2b INFORMATION OFFICE

The Information Office is responsible for all publicity concerning the Bureau. Duties include news releases, dedication ceremonies, news conferences, flyers, brochures, publicity programs, coordination within the Bureau and with outside agencies, compilation of the annual report, publication of the employee newsletter, and all advertising.

1975 was a very productive year for the information office. This year produced 223 news releases to bO media. Discounting the elec­ tronic media and certain press unavailable, responses to news releases and programs generated over 3&b clippings, including multi listings in calendars-of-events. Television and radio response to news and public service listings has been rewarding.

The Information Officer wrote the May 11 colorfront for the Dixie Living section of the Atlanta Journa1-Constitut ion, created the first zoo brochure ever, supplied photographs for numerous agencies (including publishers of children's books, tour and travel agents, and local press), coordinated the Bureau's participation in the Stay and See America in Georgia Show, prepared and presented several slide programs, and created entertaining dedication ceremonies for nine new facilities this year.

With a budget of $7200, the information office participated in several outstanding advertising campaigns, notably the highly suc­ cessful McDonald-Little Destination: Atlanta campaign, which drew some 2500 coupon redemptions to the Zoo and Cyclorama.

This is the first year of the employee newsletter, The News, which is distributed every pay period to Bureau employees. Field personnel report favorably on its appearance.

The Information Officer represents the Bureau on a number of boards of directors, including that of the Atlanta Zoological Society. A member of the publicity committees of Super Summer and the Atlanta Arts Festival, the information officer also contributed to the B.O.N.D. Arts and Humanities Fair, the Inman Park Festival, Women and Sports day, and Women in the Arts month.

Responsible for producing two weekly radio programs and clipping six­ teen newspapers weekly, the office of information has also provided training for one of the Bureau's two college interns during the summer, and for one C.E.T.A. employee beginning in September. \ \ \ \ N PRIVATE DONATIONS...

Several years ago, an anonymous donor gave the City of Atlanta $9 million for the acquisition of Central City Park. Again in 1975 the same anonymous donor extended his beneficent generosity by making donations for the following park developments:

Central City Park Expansion (shown) $3,008,223

Peachtree Points Park 2,119,^07

Buckhead Park 1,000.000

These donations represent a monumental example of civic pride and devotion and have done much to enhance the appeal of downtown At 1 an ta. DATE DUE 1

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1 30 505 JOSTEN-S

CITY OF ATLANTA

MAYNARD JACKSON, MAYOR

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, LIBRARIES AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

HOPE T. MOORE, COMMISSIONER

BUREAU OF PARKS AND RECREATION

THEODORE MASTROIANNI, DIRECTOR SB 1+83 Atlanta, Bureau of Parks and Recrea­ A7 A7Ua tion. 1975 Annual report - Atlanta Bureau of Parks and Recreation.