Henry County Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2013

ADMINISTRATION

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Henry County by providing quality recreation and athletic programs, opportunities, special events, facilities and amenities. In addition, our Therapeutic Recreation programs offer the special populations residents of Henry County the opportunity to participate in competitive sporting events as well as organized outings, socials and creative activities that enhance emotional, spiritual, social, physical and cognitive abilities. This annual report provides an overview of the accomplishments of Henry County Parks and Recreation for the calendar year of January 1 through December 31, 2013.

There are 27 parks located throughout Henry County that are maintained by Parks and Recreation; five city parks and one state park, all of which are strategically located throughout the county to be just minutes away for residents to enjoy. We also operate historic sites as a great way to get out and learn about our heritage while exploring nature.

The Parks and Recreation Department consists of 1,300 acres of park land featuring 73 baseball and softball fields, 17 football fields, 15 soccer fields and 26 tennis courts. It also boasts 8.4 miles of walking trails, 29 playgrounds, a dog park, paintball complex, BMX track, disc golf course, roller hockey rink, a Sunshine Field complex, an Event Center, Civil War Battlefield and Museum, remote control track, lawn mower racing track, community gardens, Military Museum, Wall of Honor and even 3 recreation centers that feature an indoor walking track, two basketball courts and several classrooms.

The Jason T. Harper Event Center hosted numerous events including: Bully Dog Show, Taste of Henry, Pet Expo, Vettes for Vets 3rd Edition Car Show, Connecting Henry Parent Expo; and a Stackamania, JTHEC also hosted several walks/5K including: Miles for Meals, March of Dimes, Georgia Wounded heroes 5K, Angel Dash 5K, and the Beirut Memorial 5K. The Extension Agency held a Farmer’s Market June through August and HCPRD’s Day Camps utilized the facility during the school breaks and the summer.

During 2013, Nash Farm was the host venue for several cross country competitions both high school and collegiate. Eagle’s Landing High School hosted several of the 5K events at Nash. In addition to the competition runs, there were fun runs and fund raising runs. Most every weekend a new marriage began at Nash with the reception following the ceremony. These events brought both local families and visitors to the park which often time resulted in them returning to other events at Nash. Each year, the Henry Country Rodeo Association host the 4th of July Fireworks event and a Rodeo in the fall. Also, in the fall around the anniversary of one of the battles that took place on the farm, there was a Civil War reenactment. Each weekend during the year the Nash Farm Battlefield Museum was open to tell the history of the site and Henry County which brought visitors from all over the country and visitors from 10 different foreign countries to date. Living history events were hosted by Friends of Nash Farm for the local school children during the year. On average, at least 2,000 school children attended these living history events.

The Locust Grove Recreation Center is used for Therapeutic Recreation Programs and events throughout the year. The facility was rented out for several birthday parties, recitals, church services, community meetings, elections, reunions and weddings in the Sanctuary. There were also 165 Therapeutic division special events.

The Locust Grove Event Center was used for wedding receptions and events throughout the year. During the week, the facility is used as a senior center to visit with each other and offers two meals each day.

A Memorial Day Service was held at the Veterans Wall of Honor on Monday, May 27 at 11 a.m. to honor and remember the men and women in our military who paid the ultimate price for America’s freedom. This years’ service was hosted by Detachment 1339 Marine Corps League. The Guest Speaker was Gunnery Sergeant Hiers, a 10-time recipient of the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal along with numerous other awards and commendations. Throughout his 22-year career, Hiers served as an infantryman for 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, a Radar Technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, and completed numerous deployments to Saudi Arabia and Bosnia- Herzegovina during Operation Desert Storm and Deny Flight/Provide Promise. The Memorial Day service also included a presentation of the colors by the Henry County NJROTC Warhawk Battalion. Senior Vice Commandant Silas Brown with Detachment 1339 Marine Corps League provided the welcome, and the Daughters of the American Revolution presented a proclamation in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. A wreath was presented in honor of all veterans by Melvin Hawkins, escorted by members of the Henry County Leathernecks Marine Corp League Detachment 1339. The National Anthem was sung by Destiny Sierra Sealey, and Jesse Pruitt from Detachment 1339 Marine Corps League read a poem. To complement the ceremony there was a special display in the Veterans Historical Museum featuring equipment and weapons used in Vietnam; as well as information about the U.S. Military during that time period. The displays were provided by “Kelly’s Zeroes”; an outstanding group from Dahlonega that specializes in impressions from WWI to present.

The Heritage Park Veterans Museum is a treasure trove of historical military memorabilia. On display are various uniforms, medals, vehicles, arms, books, photos and other artifacts dating from World War I up through present times. The museum is continually being updated and renovated; and it was late last year that the museum added a library and reading room built by a local Eagle Scout; including display cases and woodwork made by volunteers. The library features dozens of handmade dioramas depicting various scenes of World War II displayed in cases with authentic, corresponding front pages from the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The library also houses hundreds of books and periodicals recently catalogued by volunteers. Jim Joyce, Facilities Coordinator with the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department, runs the museum. As the only employee, he has come to rely on a small army of dedicated veterans who volunteer their time to make the museum a success. Volunteers do everything from organizing the donations to creating and rotating displays, refurbishing rooms and hosting visitors. “The volunteers for this museum come from every branch of service with a total of eight combat tours from Vietnam to present,” said Joyce, who is a veteran of both Vietnam and Desert Storm. “So they understand each piece that is in here, the history behind each piece, and are able to convey that to whoever comes through the door; be it veterans or family members of students at one of the local schools. The other thing about having a volunteer force is there is no cost, which helps this museum to run on a very low dollar output; but as you can see, everything in here is of high-dollar quality.” With nine dedicated volunteers, each has his own reason for working at the museum. According to Joyce, all of the items displayed in the museum have been generously donated. They tell the tale of our military’s history, many with personal stories of individual soldiers, and some who paid the ultimate price for freedom. More importantly, the museum is a tribute to United States Veterans for the sacrifices they made; as it serves as a fascinating history exhibit for the community and beyond, bridging generations.

The Veterans Day ceremony took place on November 11, 2013, on the plaza of the Veterans Wall of Honor. The event was hosted by the American Legion, Post 55 of McDonough, and sponsored by Henry County Parks and Recreation. “Each year becomes more important to celebrate because of the young people coming back from war and soldiers from previous wars passing away” said Rick Berry. Guest speaker for the event was U.S. Army Captain Tommy Clack, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee. Music was provided by Strong Rock Christian School. World War II re-enactors set up an army field camp where they lived for the weekend.

HCPRD continued to sell bricks for the Veteran’s Wall of Honor throughout the year. In 2013, (54) 4x8 bricks and (10) 12x12 bricks were sold. This monument hosted the Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Ceremonies. Approximately 13,800 people visited the Veteran’s Wall of Honor as well as the Heritage Military Museum.

Henry County Parks and Recreation is known for its numerous innovative programs and variety of amenities, and has opened a Remote Control Racing Track at Windy Hill Park. Also at Windy Hill is a paintball complex. The park also plays host to the Annual Kiwanis Club Fair. The track for lawn mower racing was created at Nash Farm Park.

Home to the HCPRD Youth and Adult Basketball leagues, JP Moseley Recreation Center also offers Aerobics, Yoga, Gymnastics, Self-Defense, Line Dancing and Music classes. The variety of meeting rooms and newly refinished basketball courts have allowed JP Moseley to host various public events throughout the 2013 calendar year including: Wheel Chair Basketball Tournaments, Wheel Chair Hand Ball Tournaments, AAU Training, Youth Camps (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer). Private rental events such as birthday parties, family reunions, bridal and baby showers, Christmas parties and business training sessions filled out the calendar.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved the transfer of funds left over from two previously completed SPLOST projects, to be redirected for improvements to the Kelleytown park project. According to Ron Burckhalter, Capital Projects director for the SPLOST Department, the Kellytown Park property was purchased with SPLOST III Land Acquisition for Public Use Funds and additional money is needed for improvements to make the park ready for public use. Improvements planned for the park include bike and walking trails, pavilions, parking and fencing. Excess funds in the amount of $100,046.67 from Moseley Park and $106,575.82 from Fire Station No. 9 will be redirected to Kelleytown Park and used for the improvements.

J.P. Moseley Park Playground

Henry County hosted more than 520 youth baseball teams March 16-18th 2013 for the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Atlanta SuperNIT, featuring youth ages 5-14 playing in all divisions. In the Major Division, the top two winning teams in this tournament in the age 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 age divisions will get berths in the Elite 32 Tournament at Disney’s Wild World of Sports in Orlando, Florida. Henry County has hosted the Atlanta SuperNIT, the largest NIT in the nation, for the last six years, and is the only place in Georgia to have hosted this tournament.

HCPRD had a tremendous impact on Henry County’s economy in 2013. There were more than 54 large tournaments played in Henry County involving 954 teams. These totals include the USSSA World Series Baseball Tournament that was held in July and the Atlanta Peach Classic Soccer Tournament.

Disc Golf is one of the fastest growing sports in Georgia and Henry County is home to one of the state’s premier disc golf courses. On Aug. 10, more than 70 players converged at J.P. Moseley Park in Stockbridge for the 2013 Hotlanta Disc Golf Tournament. J.P. Moseley Park’s disc golf course ranks in the top five percent of courses in the country. J.P. Moseley is an 18-hole course and will have more land to clear to add nine more holes in the future.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month and our department celebrated by hosting and attending several events throughout the month. These included the Georgia Independence Day Festival, Day Camps, the Roberto Clemente AABC World Series, Mr. & Miss Special Henry County Pageant, Special Olympics Master’s Bowling Competition, and the GRPA District Swim Meet.

The Community Service Program allowed inmates and probationers the opportunity to pay their debt to society if they were unable to meet the fine imposed by doing roadside litter pickup, departmental assistance, and routine janitorial duties at parks, the recycling center and county buildings. There was total of 56,000 hours worked and over 210,000 lbs. of weight disposed of.

HCPRD is a member of GRPA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation and advocacy of the Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services profession. Participation with GRPA includes serving on GRPA committees, participating and hosting adult basketball and adult softball tournaments, hosting a sixth district meeting, attending day camp workshops, sending teams to compete in youth track, hosting a youth basketball tournament, sending swimmers to compete at a State competition, sending staff to its annual conference, and staff taught sessions at the conference.

HCPRD participated in the 15th Annual Hands on Henry Day, sponsored by Leadership Henry and Henry County Chamber of Commerce. For this event, thousands of volunteers come together to make our community a better place. Those that participated completed projects at Henry County park facilities such as landscaping beautification, maintenance, entrance sign improvements, garbage pick-up, painting and playground equipment repair.

HCPRD is a Partner in Education, a program sponsored by the Board of Education and the Henry County Chamber of Commerce that links businesses and schools in an ongoing commitment to strengthen and enrich educational opportunities for students. HCPRD teamed up with the Board of Education to provide AAASP, adapted sports program that enhances educational outcomes for students with physical disabilities. The Board of Education provided transportation for AAASP participants and HCPRD Camp programs that took place during school breaks. HCPRD utilized 16 Board of Education gymnasiums to provide a youth basketball program during the winter months. HCPRD utilized the Stockbridge High School Track for our youth track program. The Department also held tours at parks and provided use of the picnic shelters for school field trips. Hidden Valley Park’s cross country track was utilized by Stockbridge High School.

HCPRD Staff was available for information booths and to speak with schools, clubs, and civic organizations to share information about Henry County Parks and Recreations programs & services. In 2013, those groups included Ola High School, Locust Grove High School, Woodland High School, Luella High School, and Walnut Creek Elementary for their career days; as well as had a booth during the National Night Out program presented by the Police Department.

We had a very positive year with our partners. Zaxby’s was our number one sponsor purchasing our banner and calendar package. We also partnered with Children’s Health Care of Atlanta, Wessels and Dixon, attorneys at law. Academy Sports provided a practice basketball for each of our youth basketball teams as well as clipboards and lanyard for each of our head coaches. We are very thankful to each of our partners for supporting our efforts to provide quality products for the citizens of Henry County. We are hoping to find and build more relationships in the upcoming year.

PAINTBALL The 2013 paintball season wrapped up with several improvements to the Paintball Park by improving and rebuilding the buildings, adding two Cessna airplanes, and 50 large spools to the playing surface, giving us a scenario field that rivals any other in the nation. The Department opened the Hyperball Field and the Woodsball Field, resulting playing in fields for just about any desired scenario from Infantry style woods to urban warfare and tournament play! The rental Paintball gun inventory was increased by 20 professional guns. New for 2013 was a 22,000 sq. ft. AirSoft tactical field. It featured 3 police cars, 2 crashed airplanes, concrete pipes and 2 multi room cab buildings.

The Henry County Paintball Breakout Teams went to the podium at every tournament they entered and also participated in the Georgia 3-Man Championships. Henry County’s team placed first in the GFOA five man event, and second place in the PSP Young Guns National event.

The facility is State-of-the-Art and capable of hosting National events and local recreational play simultaneously. 2013 was a good year for the facility and 2014 looks even better! Come visit and see what paintball has to offer, from individual recreational players and parties for your office or birthday groups to National Tournaments. See you at the field!

YOUTH ATHLETICS

44 swimmers went to the GRPA District 6, Class A swim meet held in Morgan County. 34 swimmers also advanced to the two day State Swim meet held in Gainesville. HCPRD had a total of 865 registered athletes for youth basketball. The Fairview and J.P. Moseley Recreation Centers and 16 Henry County schools were used for practices. One middle school, along with the J.P. Moseley and Fairview Recreation Centers, were utilized for the games. The Fairview Recreation Center was used to host some GRPA District games and three teams advanced to the State tournaments. The 10u boys won State tournament and 12u girls were State runner-up.

HCPRD offered youth track and field with a total of 100 boys and girls ranging in ages from 5-14. We hosted the 6th District Class A Track Meet in which Walton County, Macon-Bibb County, Rockdale County and DeKalb County participated in at Stockbridge High School. There were a total of 330 athletes who participated. From there, about 22 boys and girls advanced to the State track meet in Augusta. The track program had an end of the year banquet and medals were provided to all participants.

ADULT ATHLETICS

Adult Softball had 5 different leagues- Co-Ed open, Co-Ed church, Men’s open C, Men’s open D, and Men’s church D. We offered a fall and spring season with 59 teams in spring and 46 teams in fall. We had 1440 + participants that played at Heritage Park in McDonough. At the end of each season we provide a single elimination tournament to the leagues. The Champion and Finalist team of each league received t-shirts and a trophy. THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

The Therapeutic Division consists of: Special Olympics Trainings, Competitions, Social outings with the Circle of Friends Group, Fundraisers, Wheelchair Sports, Sunshine League, Young and Fun Youth Program, Public Relations, AAASP, Developmental Services Programs, Annual Trips, and Festivals. The staff also helps with all departmental events and or activities that take place throughout the year. Exercise and Arts/Crafts classes are offered throughout the year. Also, we offer TR Fitness Challenge promoting exercise, and good health practices for our Special Needs population.

The annual Circle of Friends trip was to Disney World in which they took 25 participants.

Fundraising was a goal for the staff this year. Special Olympics 5K/10K on July 4, yard sale, and “Share the Joy Day” were some of the fundraising events that the Therapeutic Section held this year. Henry County Parks & Recreation’s Special Olympics program would like to express its appreciation to Arabia Temple #7, Locust Grove Georgia, for being a generous supporter of the Special Olympics Program since 1991. They continued their support on December 16th, 2013, when the group presented Parks & Recreation with a $1,500 donation. Thanks to Atlanta Motor Speedway Children’s Charities Fund and Central Georgia EMC Operation Round Up for their donations as well.

More than 80 athletes and partners traveled to Cobb County to compete in Georgia’s annual Special Olympics Winter Games. Henry County athletes competed in floor hockey, team skills basketball, individual basketball skills, traditional basketball, and unified basketball. The team also had Special Olympic Cheerleaders that helped to cheer them on to victory. Athletes won a silver medal in Unified Basketball, a bronze medal in floor hockey, earned fourth place in traditional basketball, and two Henry County teams placed fourth and fifth in team skills basketball. Several individual athletes also won medals in individual skills basketball competitions.

Three Henry County Athletes who participate in the Special Olympic program were chosen as part of the Georgia team to represent the state in 2014 USA Games. The Henry County athletes chosen were Melissa Dodgen for Bocce, Tarcia Keys and her event partner, Davina Ford, for Bowling, and Brittney Hagelthorn and her event partner, Mandy Conner, for Tennis. They have been selected as members of Team Georgia for the 2014 National Games, to be held June 14-21, 2014 in Princeton, New Jersey. “We have gone to National Invitational before, but this is the first time we’ve been invited to Team USA Nationals. We are very excited about our three athletes and two partners being chosen for the national games.” said Terry Nash.

The Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Special Olympics Tennis Team competed at the Van Der Mer Tennis Center in Hilton Head where, after a week of stiff competition, each athlete proudly brought home two medals for their outstanding efforts. Medal winners were: Marnie Hornsby, bronze and gold; Melissa Dodgen, gold and silver; Chris Lewis, two gold; Jamie Gillispie, gold and bronze; Barbara Ritter, bronze and gold; Paige Copeland, bronze and silver; Jonathan Mink, silver and bronze; Darrell McEver, gold and bronze; Charles Minnix, two bronze; Rebecca Heaton, two bronze; Ashby Saylors, two gold; Shannon Steedley, two bronze; Jennifer Maddox, two silver; Brittney Hagelthorn, bronze and silver; unified partners Reggie Ammons, bronze and Terry Nash, bronze. The Special Olympics Tennis Team also traveled to Dothan, Alabama to play in the Southeast Tennis Competition where they enjoyed a great weekend of fun and competition. Collectively, the team, with the help of four unified partners, brought home three gold medals, seven silver medals and ten bronze medals.

The 7th annual Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament took place at Richard Craig Park in McDonough May 31st – June 1st. The tournament has been consistently successful for the past several years and was named the 2011 Wheelchair Tournament of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Georgia and in 2010, was named the 2010 USTA Southern Wheelchair Tournament of the Year by the United States Tennis Association Southern Section. The tournament is being sponsored by the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association and is a USTA sanctioned wheelchair tennis tournament. The annual wheelchair tennis tournament attracts players from around the country who compete in several divisions, included Men’s A, B and C singles and doubles; Women’s A singles and doubles; Quad A singles and doubles and Junior Open/A singles and doubles. In 2013 a “Novice’ division was added to the tournament for players who had minimal tennis experience and no tournament experience. The players in the Novice division received complimentary entry but experienced all of the same benefits that other players received to include meals, player goody bags and a pair of designer sunglasses that is now a staple to the tournament. Henry County’s own Henry Havoc Wheelchair Tennis Team will provide tough competition this year, with members Harlon Matthews, Don Carnrike, Jim Dominick, Jerry Vaughan, Donna Chapman, Harold Young, Wayne Benton, Rob Popelka and Military Veterans James Johnson, Rony Carolus and Buddy Hayes.

Congratulations to the Henry Hurricanes for winning all three 2012/2013 AAASP State JV Wheelchair Sports Championships. The Hurricanes dominated the JV division with 21 wins and 0 losses. These victories wheelchair now give the Henry Hurricanes three State Championship titles in basketball, 2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2012/2013 seasons; in handball 2011/2012 and 2012/2013; and football 2012/2013. According to Harlon Matthews, coach and area coordinator, wheelchair football was the only title that the Hurricanes had left to achieve, but the momentum they carried into the 2013 football season was more than enough to win the title that had eluded them since their inception in 2008. The Henry Hurricanes is a Henry County Schools interscholastic wheelchair sports team in partnership with Henry County Parks and Recreation Wheelchair Sports. The team is comprised of nine physically impaired students who are recruited from several Henry County schools, with two coming from Griffin. Eligibility for the team includes any physical limitation that prevents the student from participating on “main stream” school-based teams. The team is not only made up of manual and power wheelchair users, but also includes students who use mobility aides like walkers, canes, crutches or no mobility aides at all.

DAY CAMPS

Henry County Parks and Recreation offered Day Camps for school breaks at different sites throughout Henry County. Day camps were offered for mid-winter break, spring break, and fall break. During each of the week long camps we offered the campers a free snack and each of them received t-shirts to reflect the camp theme. 300 campers attended over the 2013 school year. Our staff ratio was 1 counselor to every 10 campers and camp times were 7:30am – 6:00pm each day.

We also offered a Summer Camp. This camp ran from June 3, 2013 – 28 and July 8 – Aug. 2, 2013. We had 235 campers participate in at least 1 week of the 8 weeks of Camp. Henry County Parks and Recreation teamed up with the Library System during the 2013 Summer Camp Program. “Library Goes to Camp” is a partnership to enhance the literacy among campers during their summer break by bringing books to the children participating in the camps but unable to participate in the Library System’s Vacation Reading Program. Educational studies show that children who read during the summer maintain their skill level from the previous spring and are ready for school in the fall. These children require less review of materials than children who have not participated in a summer reading program. The goals are to present books and reading as a fun activity and to present book talks on various subjects such as science, animals, archaeology, etc. in such a way that children are excited about reading these books. Carolyn Fuller with the Henry County Library System developed eight themed story boxes with enough books for each child in each facility to have a book a day to read. Any camper who read at least 10 hours or 20 books was given a free book at the end of the summer. She visited each of the five Day Camp sites once a week and interacted with the children while reading books, doing activities, etc. Each week the camps received a new themed story box.

RECREATION PROGRAMS

HCPRD offered nine adult programs that included dance, voice, piano, dog obedience, step aerobics, exercise programs and line dancing along with karate, yoga and zumba.

Programming Awards

In November, the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department received an award from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association for The Publication Award for Multi-Event for the 2013 Calendar. Terry Nash received her 20 year service pin from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association as well.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department held its annual Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, at Nash Farm Park on Friday, March 22. Henry County’s Easter Egg Hunt was a fun-filled event for families and children to visit beautiful Nash Farm Park and hunt for candy-filled Easter eggs in a non-traditional way-- after the sun goes down! Festivities began at 5:30 where children of all ages jumped into fun with make-and-take coloring crafts, games and more. There were also inflatables for the kids, and a petting zoo. In addition, Radio Disney AM 590 was there from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.; offering tons of music and prizes. Egg hunting began at 7:00 p.m. for children ages two through five, and the Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt began at sundown for ages six through 12, with the Easter Bunny dropping eggs from a helicopter above. Prizes were awarded for those who found the golden egg. Participants could have pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and face painting was also available. This year’s Flashlight Easter Hunt was provided through the generous sponsorship of SBZ Services Unlimited, Inc. and People First of Henry County.

PARKS

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) Alexander Park City/County 12.5 4 3 0.3  Spread 54 tons of infield mix and 36 tons of sand on infields and roto- tilled all infields  Replaced scoreboard bulbs  Ran Harley rake over infields to remove weeds/grass from growing and to level  350 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Avalon Park City/County 20 3 2  Spread 100 bales of pine straw  Applied ant control  Re-mulched playground  Sprayed fields for nutsedge  Repaired bleachers and player benches  Repaired broken irrigation  Aerated and top dressed football fields  Spread pre-m on football fields

 1,000 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles Big Spring Park City/County 15 2 1 3 0.2  Pruned Crape Myrtles Cochran Park County 20 8 7 0.4  Spread 108 tons of infield mix and 54 tons of sand, roto-tilled and drug fields  Repaired scoreboards and replaced bulbs  Delivered 20 new trash cans  Installed two batting cage nets  Replaced section of fence behind concession for grill/cooking area  Installed/replaced first base line nets on field 4  Spread ant control  Spread pre-m on all baseball/softball fields

 1,000 lbs of fertilizer  Installed new flag and rope on flag pole  Pruned Crape Myrtles Fairview Activity Center County 8  Fairview Recreation Center County  Assembled new ball racks  Installed water fountain in upstairs workout area  Sprayed for ants  Spread 40 yards of playground mulch  Spread 532 bales of pine straw

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) Franklin Rape Park County 4 2 2 0.3  Spread 18 tons of infield mix on field 2  Box tilled and drug fields  Installed new foul poles and scoreboard on field 1  Spread pre-m on all softball fields Heritage Park County 129 4 4 0.9  200 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees and hedges  Prepared fields for softball tournament  Spread 90 tons of infield mix and 36 tons of sand  Box tilled and drug fields  Replaced scoreboard bulbs  Spread 451 bales of pine straw in the Village  Pressure washed pavilions  Repaired swings  Aerated and over seed softball fields  Installed new paper towel dispensers  Trimmed limbs and bushes on walking track  Clean/organized concession stand  Trimmed trees/shrubbery in parking lot  1,200 lbs of fertilizer  Spread 60 yards of playground mulch at top playground and 70 yards at Kidsville playground  Pruned Crape Myrtles Heritage Park – Military County Museum  An Eagle Scout project of building an herb garden and bell monument was completed  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Heritage Park – Wall of Honor County  Installed 63 engraved bricks  Installed new bench  Pressure washed concrete sections  Spread 30 bales of pine straw  Replaced all new state flags  Sprayed for ants  Installed 1 Republican Party Granite brick  250 lbs of fertilizer  Spread 50 bags of black mulch around shrubbery  Repaired irrigation  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) Hidden Valley Park County 115 9 3 5 0.3  B & B Alarm Systems installed security system at maintenance building  Repaired irrigation on fields 2 & 9  Spread ant control  Repaired Musco lighting  Repaired fence and gates  Trimmed limbs and bushed on walking track  Spread pre-m on all baseball/softball fields  Trimmed trees/shrubbery  850 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles Jason T. Harper Event Center County  J.P. Moseley Park County 179 5 2 1.4  Spread 54 tons of infield mix, 36 tons of sand and roto-tilled infields  Replaced scoreboard bulbs  Installed new gate for tournaments  Repaired batting cages and hung new nets  Installed new signage and made tree box at the Disc golf Course  Applied any control to all athletic fields and playground  Repaired scoreboard on softball/baseball field 1  Repaired bleachers and player benches at football complex  Aerated and top dressed football fields  Spread snake repellant around football fields  Aerated and over seed softball fields  Re-stripped parking lot with DOT

 Installed new batting cage netting at softball fields  Tilled infields to eliminate compaction  Moved Disc Golf kiosk/billboard  Spread pre-m on football fields  Planted 2 Mary Nell Holly trees  Trimmed trees/shrubbery  1,600 lbs of fertilizer  Repaired irrigation  Spread 40 yards playground mulch at big playground and 90 yards at baseball playground  Spread 468 bales of pine straw J. P. Moseley Recreation County Center  Installed Wi-Fi  Repainted classrooms  Pressure washed facility  DOT striped parking lot  Spread pine straw 

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) Joel McClendon Memorial City/County 4 Park Locust Grove Conference County 10 Center  165 bales of pine straw  Trimmed tree hedges  Cut and removed fallen and broken trees  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Locust Grove Recreation City/County Center  Repainted gym  Repaired scoreboard  Carpets cleaned  Removed older/damaged equipment stored at center  Cleaned out storage areas

Mickie D. Cochran Park County 12.4 1 3 4 0.3  Re-keyed equipment building for new Generals Football Association  Spread ant control  Spread pre-m on football fields  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Nash Farm Park County 204 5  Bush hogged for 2 weeks and mowed cross country track for school cross country meet  Replaced mini blinds on 4 doors at the Carriage House  Removed 5 large oak trees  Pruned 35 trees and ground stumps from downed/removed Bradford Pear Trees  Repaired picnic tables  Sprayed for ants  Trimmed hedges  Cut and hauled off broken limbs that fell on caretakers house

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) North Mt. Carmel Park County 129 2 2 0.3  Replaced chain link fencing across front  Spread two dump truck loads of crush and run  Applied ant control on soccer fields and playground  Aerated 10 soccer fields and spread 228 yards of soil on fields  Pressure washed pavilions  Sprayed fields for Nutsedge  Installed drainage for standing water  Spread 130 yards of mulch at playground  Spread pre-m on soccer fields  Re-seated concrete storm drains  4,450 lbs of fertilizer North Ola Park County 11 4 2 0.3  Spread 36 tons of infield mix, 36 tons of sand and roto-tilled infields  Repaired Musco lighting  Repaired backstop/foul line net and double gate on field 3  Spread pre-m on all baseball fields  Edged infield grass  450 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Pates Creek Nature Preserve BOE/County 12 1 3 0.7  Cleared/cut back walking trails  Sprayed weed killer to kill over growth and poison ivy Patrick Henry Ball Field BOE/County 5 2  Red Tail Hawk Airport County 39 1  Resurfaced runway  Sprayed weed killer Red Hawk Baseball Complex County 26 10 3 0.2  Spread 18 tons of infield mix  Replaced scoreboard bulbs  Laid 2,100 sq. ft. of sod on field 3  Fertilized 4 baseball fields  Roto-tilled all dirt areas on all 4 fields  Sprayed fields for Nutsedge  Spread ant control  Installed new flag  Aerated and over seed baseball fields

 Shovel/clean parking lot curbing  Cut all low hanging limbs  Cut back hedges and underbrush in front of park  Top dressed and fertilized ball fields  Spread 40 yards playground mulch  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) Richard Craig Park City/County 26 7 13 6 0.8  Mulch in front of tennis courts  Assembled and installed 5 new tennis court player benches  Spread 108 tons of infield mix, 54 tons of sand and roto-tilled infields  Repaired scoreboards and replaced bulbs  Repaired swings  Laid 5,000sq. ft. sod on field 4 infield  Removed old grass  Regraded and added 54 tons of dirt and sand to raise infield  Spread ant control  Pressure washed pavilions  Repaired Musco lighting  Changed 1 net and 2 center straps and tied down windscreens  Edged infield grass  1,150 lbs of fertilizer  Spread 40 yards playground mulch R.W/Mary Lou Coley Park County 40 7 3  Spread 72 tons of infield mix, 36 tons of sand and roto-tilled infields  Repaired batting cage nets  Re-mulched playground  Spread ant control  Repaired scoreboards  Replaced flooring on field 7 score box  Spread pre-m on all baseball/softball fields  Pressure washed pavilions, picnic tables and around concessions  1,200 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles Sandy Ridge Park County 34 1 3 2 0.7  Spread 54 tons of infield mix, 36 tons of sand and roto-tilled infields  Paving parking lot out to bid  Repaired scoreboards and replaced bulbs  Spread 130 yards of mulch at playground  Repaired broken basketball goal  Purchased new AC unit for BMX concession  Spread ant control  Repaired Musco lighting  Spread pre-m on al baseball/softball fields  Edged infield grass  800 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Parks Maintained Park Athletic Outdoor Support Walking By Acreage Fields Courts Facilities Trials (Miles) Warren Holder Park City/County 40 8 2 2  Spread 90 tons of infield mix, 54 tons of sand and roto-tilled infields  Installed new handle and lock on Musco light panel  Replaced scoreboard bulbs  Re-mulched playground at baseball complex  Sprayed field for Nutsedge  Aerated and top dressed football fields  Spread ant control  Repaired scoreboards  Installed 100’ of fence to keep people from entering citizen’s yard  Spread pre-m on all athletic fields  Replaced double gate hinges on baseball field 1  Installed new paper towel dispensers  Re-seated concrete storm drains at baseball complex  2,600 lbs of fertilizer  Pruned Crape Myrtles  Installed 10’x110’ net at baseball field 2 Windy Hill Park County 30 5 1 5 0.5  Completed remote control track configuration  Installed new flag and rope on flag pole  Pruned Crape Myrtles

GROUNDS

911 Center  311 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees and hedges  Spread pre-m  Pruned Crape Myrtles Administrative Building  Spread 1,379 bales of pine straw  Pressured washed, stained and repaired 4 picnic tables  Spread fertilizer and pre-m  Pruned Crape Myrtles Aubrey Harvey Building  Trimmed hedges Animal Control  Blessings Thrift Store  Connecting Henry  34 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees and hedges Court House/Square  Spread 714 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery  Pruned Crape Myrtles Court House Parking Deck  Spread 466 bales of pine straw  Spread pre-m  Trimmed trees/shrubbery DFAC’s  Spread 210 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery DOT  Department of Motor Vehicles  Spread 532 bales of pine straw  Pruned Crape Myrtles Developmental Disabilities  150 bales of pine straw Center  Trimmed trees and edges  Roto-tilled area behind center for flowers Elections  75 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees and hedges Exit #218  Bush hog  Met with County Extension and Dow Chemical about weed problem in new landscaping  Pulled/cleared weeds from landscaping on 2 ramps Fairview Library  250 bales of pine straw Flint Circuit Public Defender  Spread 25 bales of pine straw Friend’s House  Haven House  129 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees and hedges Health Department  Spread 257 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery Henry County Airport  Sprayed weed killer on parking lot and hanger areas  Prepared for NASCAR Race and ribbon cutting for runway extension  Blow gravel off runway/taxiway Henry County Government  Spread 280 bales of pine straw Annex Henry County Judicial Center  Set up for two events  Spread pre-m Henry Parkway Connector  Spread 114 bales of pine straw  Pruned Crape Myrtles Henry Parkway Median  Spread 332 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery  Pruned Crape Myrtles Heritage Senior Center  Spread 565 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery  Pruned Crape Myrtles Hidden Valley Senior Center  Spread 565 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery  Pruned Crape Myrtles Jonesboro Rd/GA DOT  Project calls for design and planting over 12,000 plants/trees Gateway Enhancement Project  Prep, plant, mulch and spread weed control  Planted and watered medians Library - Cochran  Spread 307 bales of pine straw  Spread pre-m  Pruned Crape Myrtles Library – Fairview  Spread pre-m  Edged curbs/walkways  Trimmed hedges  Spread 155 bales of pine straw Library – Hampton  Mulched around new benches  Spread pre-m  Pruned Crape Myrtles Library – Locust Grove  Spread 177 bales of pine straw Library – McDonough  Spread 66 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees/shrubbery North Police Precinct  Spread pre-m  Trimmed trees/shrubbery Old SPLOST Building  Trimmed trees/shrubbery Probate Court  89 bales of pine straw  Trimmed trees and hedges  Pruned Crape Myrtles Senior Services Annex  Spread 9 bales of pine straw Sheriff’s Department/Jail  Spread 100 bales of pine straw Tag Office/Stockbridge  Spread pre-m  Pruned Crape Myrtles Transit  Spread pre-m  Pruned Crape Myrtles

Henry County Parks and Recreation Current Staff Destiny Oliphant – Recreation Aide

Tim Coley - Director Duck Robertson - Recreation Aide

Kenny Morris - Assistant Director Parks Todd Bond - Maintenance Specialist Tech III

Donna Holder - Executive Assistant II Richard Castleberry - Maintenance Specialist Tech III

Michelle Dunn - Accounts Administrator Marcus Miller - Maintenance Specialist Tech III

Sandy Hawkins - Accounts Administrator Bryan Dixon - Maintenance Specialist Tech II

Jamey Dixon – Recreation Aide Walter Lacewell - Maintenance Specialist Tech II

Kaye Durkit – Administrator Assistant II James New – Maintenance Tech II

Kathy Hunt - Program Coordinator, CPRP Keith Ayers – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Brandi Dailey – Youth Athletic Coordinator Drew Cheeves – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Peggy Hesselbach – Recreation Specialist Bill Dodgen – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Jim Wilson - Adult Athletic Coordinator Ronnie Hector - Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Jim Joyce – Facility Coordinator Bill Hoelscher – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Terry Nash - Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, CTRS Robert Hymowitz - Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Reggie Ammons – Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, CTRS Shane Massey – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Davina Ford - Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Antonio Mathis - Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Garland Jones - Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, CTRS Gerald Miller – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Keri Knab – Recreation Aide Keith Taylor – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Harlon Matthews - Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Day Camp Employees – 50

Gary Miller – Recreation Aide Tennis Employees – 8

Andrew Vaughn – Recreation Aide Youth Basketball Employees – 8

Tina Fuss – Recreation Specialist Paintball Employees – 4

James Martin – Youth Leadership Coordinator Adult Softball Employees – 3

Mark McBrayer – Facility Coordinator Past Staff

Brandi Betsill – Recreation Aide Alison Haglethorn - Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Donald Carnrike - Recreation Assistant Barbara Barber – Recreation Aide

Amey Moses - Recreation Specialist John Cook – Maintenance Specialist Tech I

Chris Strong – Recreation Aide Kristen Lynn – Recreation Aide