Gwinnett Park Life | Gwinnett County Parks

Winter Bridal Show Gwinnett Historic Courthouse January 17

Posted by admin on January 6, 2010  |  No Comments

Bride

Sunday, January 17 1:00-5:00pm Winter Bridal Show Gwinnett Historic Courthouse

Calling all brides, it is your day to make history! From the old and the new to the borrowed and the blue, visit our vendors and enjoy a vintage and couture fashion show of wedding attire. Now is your chance to find all of your vendors under one roof in our premier wedding facility. Ongoing raffles and door prizes will be given away.

Advanced registration $3/person, day of the event $5/person; call 770.822.5450 to pre-register.
Code: GHCH14100

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY HONORS GWINNETT’S MILITARY HEROES

Posted by admin on November 5, 2009  |  No Comments

Gwinnett County will host the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial in Lawrenceville. The observance will pay tribute to the county’s military veterans and honor two servicemen who were killed in the line of duty this year.

The public is invited to attend this event to thank the men and women who have served honorably in the military, during wartime or peacetime, and to memorialize the fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives to protect our nation. Board Chairman Charles Bannister and County Administrator Glenn Stephens will lead this year’s ceremony. Honor guard units from the Gwinnett County Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Corrections and Sheriff’s Departments and the Lawrenceville Police Department will also take part in the event. The keynote address will be given by Col. Aubrey Garner, Chief of Operations for the Third Army, based at Fort McPherson.

Two names will be added to the memorial under the Global War on Terrorism heading –1^st Sgt. John David Blair and Staff Sgt. Alex French IV. Blair and French were both assigned to the Army National Guard unit in Lawrenceville and were sheriff’s deputies in their respective counties, Gordon and Bibb. Blair was the gunner on an armored vehicle that was attacked by a rocket-propelled grenade in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan, which resulted in his death on June 20. Blair was credited for saving a fellow soldier’s life during the attack. French was killed on Sept. 30 in Kwhost, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised-explosive device, or IED.

The Veterans Day Ceremony will be televised at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 on TVgwinnett, channel 23 or 25 depending on the cable provider. TVgwinnett programming is also available streaming and on demand at www.tvgwinnett.com.

The Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial, located on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, honors all Gwinnett residents who died in the line of duty in military or public service. The memorial opened in 2003 and was built with funds from private donations and Gwinnett County government. For additional information about the memorial, visit www.gwinnettfallenheroes.com.

Suwanee Day at Town Center Park

Posted by admin on September 15, 2009  |  No Comments

Suwanee Day

The 2009 Suwanee Day celebration on Saturday, September 19, will serve up all those things that people love most about the festival – the food, arts and crafts, fun stuff for the kids, and all-day entertainment – along with a couple new twists and about 50 very special guests. The 26th annual festival will be held from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at Town Center Park.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion 69th Armor Division (2-69 AR) at Fort Benning will serve as honorary parade grand marshals and as Suwanee Day’s special guests.

Two groups at Suwanee Day will offer unique ways in which to enjoy the festival. The Old Town Merchants Association is providing free trolley rides between Town Center and historic Old Town. And, as a fundraiser, the Suwanee Arts Partnership has gathered several pieces created and donated by local artists that will be offered through a drawing at its Suwanee Day booth.

Admission to Suwanee Day is free, but please bring a canned good or two to donate to the North Gwinnett Food Co-op. An all-day armband for the children’s inflatables area is $10; a small additional fee will be charged for other children’s rides.

Visit www.suwaneeday.com for more information, including the entertainment line-up, list of exhibitors, off-site parking locations, roads to be closed during the parade, free shuttle transportation schedule, and much more!

Sourced from Suwanee.com

Mountain Park Aquatic Center

Posted by admin on August 19, 2009  |  No Comments

Stone Mountain Aquatic Center

Have you been to the Mountain Park Aquatic Center?  If you live around Lilburn or Mountain Park, I’m sure you have noticed there on Rockbridge Road near Five Forks, just up the road from Kroger.  But have you been there?

It is a great facility.  In addition to the community center which hosts a variety of events, there is the outside recreational pool, an inside instructional pool and the lap pool.

There are different programs available ranging from Parent Assisted Swim Classes to Aqua-Aerobics for Seniors. There are swim team competitions and swim classes for older children and adults.

The gem, though, is the recreational pool.  It has a “zero entry” which means that one can walk into the pool with no steps.  There is a small slide with a water-works theme for the smaller kids to play on.  The water around it is fairly shallow.  There is also a “lazy river” which allows people to float around it and under a waterfall.  Finally, there are two larger waterslides for older kids and adults.

The prices are pretty reasonable.

There are also walking trails around the grounds for alternate exercise.

Pictures from the facility can be seen here.

Summer hours for the outdoor recreational pool ends September 14, 2009. However, the indoor lap pool will be open the fall hours.

Based on an original post by Lane Bailey – REALTOR & Car Guy

Lilburn, GA  original post at Lilburn Dwelling

Adult Programs: Dragonflies and Bats at Chattahoochee Nature Center

Posted by admin on July 23, 2009  |  No Comments

Gray Green Clubtail Dragonfly

The Chattahoochee Nature Center has two very exciting programs coming up that are specifically geared towards adults. Since the new goal of CNC is lifelong learning, these programs fit in quite well with our new mission.

Dragonfly & Damselfly Talk & Walk with field Guide Author Giff Beaton
Saturday, July 25, 9 AM – 12 PM
$15 non-members/$10 members
Photographer and field guide author Giff Beaton will be giving a talk about dragonfly and damselfly life history and identification followed by a walk through our gardens focused on finding and identifying these beautiful invertebrates.  To learn more about Giff Beaton, visit www.giffbeaton.com. Ages 16 and up. To register, go to www.chattnaturecenter.org, and click on Adult Programs, or call us at 770-992-2055 ext. 222. We recommend pre-registration. If spaces are available, we will accept same day registration.

Bats!!
Saturday, August 15, 7 PM – 10 PM
$30 non-members/$20 members, includes dinner
Have you ever wondered why these elusive creatures are so important?  Have you seen a bat up close? This program includes classroom education, dinner & bat netting. Hosted in partnership with the Georgia Bat Working Group. Ages 16 and up. To register, go to www.chattnaturecenter.org, and click on Adult Programs, or call us at 770-992-2055 ext. 222. We recommend pre-registration. If spaces are available, we will accept same day registration.

Peachtree Corners Swim & Racquet Club Kids’ Triathlon

Posted by admin on July 14, 2009  |  No Comments

Swim portion of Triathlon

The Peachtree Corners Swim & Racquet Club Kids’ Triathlon takes place August 15th, 2009 at 8am. The Bicycle Wheel (celebrating it’s 5th aniversary) has been involved with the PCS&R Triathlon since its inception and is looking forward to another great event this year.  They will have their tent set up to air up tires and perform minor adjustments before the start.

This is an entry-level triathlon for kids ages 7-15.  Participants can enter as individuals or as a team of 2 or 3 children.

DISTANCE:  Children ages 7-10 will swim 100 yards (4 laps), bike 3 miles (2 neighborhood loops) and run 0.75 miles.

Children ages 11-15 will swim 200 yards (8 laps), bike 6 miles (4 neighborhood loops) and run 1.5 miles.

COURSE:  The race begins at the PCS&R pool.  The transition area will be in the club’s parking lot. The bike course is a 1.5 mile loop on Jones Bridge Circle and Fitzpatrick Way.  The run course goes along Jones Bridge Circle into the Simpsonwood Conference Center.  This is an out and back course.

VOLUNTEERS: The directors will need lots of volunteers to put on a fun and safe race!  All kids who race need at least one parent to volunteer with the race.  We encourage teenagers to volunteer as a great way to earn community service hours.  Please contact one of the race directors to find out more details – hope to see you there!

RACE DIRECTORS:
Jason Januzelli:  triathlon@januzelli.net,  678-261-8771
Shane Johnson:  shanej99@gmail.com,  770-417-1194

REGISTRATION:  To register, follow this link and print out the application.  The application also contains important information you need to know about the race.  Registration is closed after August 1st, so register soon to ensure a spot! Note: a nominal fee and registration is required in the USAT (USA Triathlon)

This is a great event and

4th of July Celebrations at Gwinnett Parks

Posted by admin on June 29, 2009  |  No Comments

NORCROSS
Kick off your Independence Day celebration Friday July 3 in Nocross by volunteering to set up the recycle containers at the new Lillian Webb Park at the top of the hill at Jones St. and throughout downtown for the day long celebrations. Retrieve recycle containers about 10 PM just after the fireworks. The official ribbon cutting ceremony at Lillian Webb Park is at the Gateway Plaza at 11:30 AM and city festivities start at 2 PM including live music, street artists and vendors, games and rides for the kids, plus an evening concert by our own Skin Alley Kats at the new Lillian Webb Park, and of course a grand fireworks finale.

Army Ground Forces Band, Loose Cannons

DULUTH
CELEBRATES AMERICA
The City of Duluth, even after cutting back on budget has still moved forward with their annual celebration. Duluth is known for our patriotism and it is so important to celebrate and thank those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy. Friday, July 3rd, at Scott Hudgens Park off Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in the River Green Office Park Duluth offers up an evening of music, fun, inflatables, rides, food and of course a fabulous fireworks display. Gates will open at 4:00 pm and entertainment will begin at 6:00 pm. Julie Hall will kick things off with the National Anthem, then The Woody’s (Fleetwood Mac type band) will take the stage, and to wrap things up the Army Ground Forces Band, Loose Cannons, will have you on your feet. The fireworks will begin around 9:30 pm. Admission is FREE but donations will be graciously accepted. There will be a nominal charge for the inflatables and rides.

LAWRENCEVILLE
Prelude to the 4th – Friday, July 3rd

This year, Lawrenceville’s 5th Annual Prelude to the 4^th will set sail for great entertainment on the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn (185 Crogan St.) as Aurora Theatre presents a concert version of Anything Goes, a classic Broadway farce wrapped around one of Cole Porter’s magical scores.

In a effort to continue Prelude to the 4th as Lawrenceville’s (and even Gwinnett’s) own mini-Chastain Park, attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and visit one of the restaurants on the downtown square for catering or take-out packages. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. with lawn seating available starting at 5:30 p.m. Tables for six are available for rental for only 150 dollars by contacting the LTTA office at 678-226-2639.

Sparks in the Park – Sugar Hill – Friday July 3^rd
The City of Sugar Hill will be celebrating and enjoying a free night of live music, rides, fireworks and a movie! Beginning from 6:30pm to 10pm, at E.E. Robinson Park.

The Return (Beatles Tribute Band) – 6:30 PM
National Anthem – 9:30 PM
Best Fireworks Display in Gwinnett – 9:45 PM
Movie – “Kung Fu Panda”

E.E. Robinson Park is South of Sugar Hill Elementary on Sugar Maple Dr. just off Level Creek. Parking and Transportation: provided by Up The River Outfitters at The Family Church beginning at 6:15pm. Transportation service will continue until midnight!

Sparks in the Park 2009 Event Flyer

Sparks in the Park 2008 Picture Slideshow

For more information, please contact the Sugar Hill Recreation Department at (770) 831-7413.

Skate complex and other fun amenities now open at Bay Creek Park

Posted by admin on June 9, 2009  |  3 Comments

Bay Creek Skate Park (Scott Crawfoord - Photo by Nick Scott)

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation recently completed construction on new fun amenities at Bay Creek Park, including a 20,000 sq. ft. skate complex, four lighted tennis courts, two lighted basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a third  playground and a pavilion.

According to Nick Scott of AtlantaSkater.com “Gwinnett County doesn’t fence in their parks. Gwinnett is kicking **s, with eight more parks on the books. Bay Creek is the first Pillar Design park in the area. The others are Wally Hollyday and Site design. Settles Bridge is a Wally Hollyday that was  changed a little, for the better, by California Skateparks and it should be open in a couple of months.” Check out their YouTube channel. We’ve also posted some photos from Nick Scott. Check out their site at atlskater.com

Bay Creek Skate Park (Chris Coffman - Photo by Nick Scott)

The 153-acre park, which opened in 2004, is home to Gwinnett’s first special needs ball field and playground, Unity Place, and also features seven baseball/softball fields, a football field with lighted track and concession building, and a one-mile of paved multi-purpose trails.

Unity Place was funded through a partnership between the Parks & Recreation department, the Grayson Athletic Association and ten Gwinnett-area rotary clubs. The playground features a special rubberized surface with wheelchair-friendly slides and swings.  The handicapped-accessible ball field, complete with wheelchair and walker accessible dugouts, is also constructed with a similar surface. The Special Populations Program offers programs for special needs children and young adults so that they can join in with other children in sports such as baseball, softball, cheerleading and basketball.

Funding for the Bay Creek Park expansion was made possible through the

Bay Creek Skate Park (Freddy - Photo by Ken Forsyth)

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and totaled $3.6 million in design and construction costs. The park expansion was designed by Jordan Jones & Goulding, Inc., construction was managed by Moreland Altobelli, Inc. and the contractor for the project was Reliant Construction Co.
This one-of-a-kind park is located at 175 Ozora Rd. in Loganville, just east of Grayson Hwy.. For more information, call 770.822.8840 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com.

Gwinnett County Parks & Facilities offers 35 Affordable Rental Venues

Posted by admin on May 3, 2009  |  No Comments

Pavilion at Jones Bridge Park overlooking the Chattahoochee River

Planning a family reunion, birthday celebration or wedding reception this summer? Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation offers a variety of venues that are perfect for any occasion.

Pavilions, meadows, community rooms and beautiful historic facilities are all available for rent at very affordable rates including a newly opened pavilion at Yellow River Park in Stone Mountain.

Visitors at family reunions can be entertained at various parks in Gwinnett County. Plan tennis matches, rent an aquatic center, hike a trail, enjoy a skate park and playgrounds, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville even offers a brand new basketball area and an expanded parking lot at the Adult Softball field for a multi-generational softball or basketball game.

For more information on facility amenities, visit www.gwinnettparks.com. Contact individual facilities for available rental dates and fees.

Addtional Info per Gwinnett County Parks:

Ronald Reagan Park pavilions are available on a first come first serve basis and cannot be reserved.

The above information may change without notice. Please check out the official Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation website for up-to-date information.

Full information on available park pavilions, facilities, rooms, and contact information at Gwinnett County Parks.

8 Great Gwinnett Aquatic Centers and Pools

Posted by admin on March 28, 2009  |  13 Comments

The last two or three aquatic centers that the county opened over the past few years are more in line with water parks that your family will enjoy. Lazy rivers, mushrooms, beach entry, slides and more. Several of the facilities will be opened during spring break this year.

Best Friend Park Pool
6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross 30052
770.417.2202

Features an outdoor leisure/water park pool with beach entry, giant waterslide, and water play structures. Open during summer.
Closed for season until 5/23/09

Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville 30044
678.924.6334

Features an indoor leisure/water park pool with beach entry, giant waterslide that exits and then reenters the building, river channel, hydrotherapy benches, water play structures, vortex, ceiling spray, and a four-lane instructional pool and wet classroom. Water basketball and volleyball. Open year-round.

Winter Hours (9/8/08 – 5/14/09)
Closed for maintenance 5/15/09 – 5/22/09
Opens for Summer 5/23/09
Special Spring Break Hours (4/4/09 – 4/12/09)

Bogan Park Aquatic Center
2723 North Bogan Road, Buford 30519
770.614.2063

Features and indoor competition pool and indoor leisure pool with beach entry, giant waterslide and water play structures.

Winter Hours (10/13/08 – 5/14/09)
Closed for maintenance 5/15/09 – 5/22/09
Opens for Summer 5/23/09
Special Spring Break Hours (4/4/09 – 4/12/09)

Collins Hill Aquatic Center
2200 Collins Hill Road, Lawrenceville 30043
770.237.5647

Features and indoor 25-yard by 25-meter swimming/diving competition pool, open year-round. Outdoor leisure/water park pool with beach entry, two giant water slides a river channel, water play structures, open during summer.

Winter Hours (9/8/08 – 5/14/09)
Closed for maintenance 5/15/09 – 5/22/09
Opens for Summer 5/23/09

Dacula Park Pool
205 Dacula Road, Dacula 30019
770.822.5410

Features an outdoor pool with six lap lanes and a diving well. Open during summer.

Closed for season until 5/23/09

Lenora Park Pool
4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville 30058
770.982.5309

Features an outdoor leisure/water park pool with beach entry, giant waterslide, river channel, water play structures. Open during summer.

Closed for season until 5/23/09

Mountain Park Aquatic Center
1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain 30087
770.564.4650

Features an indoor 25-yard by 25-meter competition/lap pool, with 500-seat spectator area, indoor instructional pool that is open year round. The outdoor leisure/water park pool features a beach entry, two giant waterslides, river channel, bubble bench, vortex and water play structures and is open during summer.

Winter Hours (9/8/08 – 5/14/09)
Closed for maintenance 5/15/09 – 5/22/09
Opens for Summer 5/23/09

Rhodes Jordan Park Pool
100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville 30043
770.822.5143

Features an outdoor leisure/water park pool with beach entry, a giant waterslide, river channel, three lap lanes, and water play structure. Open during summer.

Closed for season until 5/23/09

West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center
4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross 30071
770.417.2281

Features an indoor 25-yard by 25-meter competition pool with 750-seat spectator area and instructional pool that is open year round. Outdoor leisure/water park pool features a beach  entry, two giant waterslides, river channel, bubble bench, vortex, spray bar and water play structures that is open during summer.

Winter Hours (9/3/08 – 5/14/09)
Closed for maintenance 5/15/09 – 5/22/09
Opens for Summer 5/23/09

For hours of operation, auqatics guidelines, Scuba diving information, private and semi private swim lessons, certifications, classes and other information please visit the county parks website at http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/cgi-bin/gwincty/egov/ep/gcbrowse.do?channelId=-536882005&pageTypeId=536880236

5 Skate Parks in Gwinnett

Posted by admin on March 24, 2009  |  7 Comments

Gwinnett provides great facilities for skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bike riders. Gwinnett Parks has ramps, rails, bowls, street elements, banks, and corners! Go shred with the best.

Woody’s Halfpipe will be sponsoring Skate Camps this summer at Pinckneyville Park. Register early at the Pinckneyville Community Center.

www.atlskater.com is a great site for photos and videos from local skateparks.
Pinckneyville Park
4758 S. Old Peachtree Rd., Norcross

Ronald Reagan Park
2777 Five-Forks Trickum Rd., Lilburn

DeShong Park
2859 N. DeShong Rd., Stone Mountain

Duncan Creek Park
3700 Braselton Hwy., Dacula

Mountain Park Park
5050 Five-Forks Trickum Rd., Lilburn