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July 2012

Adult Fall Softball and Kickball Registration Begins Soon

Registration dates for the upcoming fall adult softball and kickball season have been set. Returning teams (those that participated in the fall 2011 season) can register online beginning July 1st. To register online, team captains will need a 'PIN' number and 'Log-in ID'.  These can be acquired from their league coordinator.  In-person registration begins Tuesday, July 10th for returning teams and Thursday, July 12th for new teams.  In-person registration will be held at the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Administrative office located at 1792 County Services Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30008.  Registration will be held from 6:00pm-8:00pm both days.  For more information, see the adult softball web page, the adult kickball page, or call (770) 528-8860.

Fishing Rodeo at Lost Mountain Park

Cobb Parks' Natural Resource Management unit will be hosting the 'Annual Fishing Rodeo' on Saturday, July 21st from 9:00am–11:00am at Lost Mountain Park. Four age divisions will be offered: 3–6, 7–9, 10–12 and 13–16. Trophies will be awarded for the most fish caught in each age group as well as the 5 biggist fish overall. The event is free, so grab your fishing pole and join us for a morning of fishing and fun!! For more information, please contact John Purcell at (770) 528-8825 or john.purcell@cobbcounty.org .

SPLOST Projects Update

On March 15, 2011, a referendum on a four-year SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax) was approved by voters. This program will be in effect from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015. From this SPLOST, Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will be utilizing $82,023,000 for revitalization, facility renovations and upgrades to parks and facilities. Planning, coordinating and scheduling projects are in their early stages, but you will now be able to see some of the work in progress or soon to begin. Here is a list of current projects:

• The construction of the accessible sidewalk and set of steps at East Cobb Park, between the upper parking lot and the lower portion of the park is completed. The new sidewalk creates an ADA- accessible route from the upper parking lot to the amenities in the lower section of the park. The steps replace a footpath down the slope and provides easier access from the upper parking to the lower area.
• At Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, the replacement of the fly system equipment will bid June 28th and is scheduled to start in late August and be completed in mid September. The project will replace old and worn equipment that supports and operates the theatre stage curtains.
• A request for design proposals for the redevelopment of Wallace Park and the rehabilitation of the fields and concession/restroom building at Sewell Park will be issued June 29th. Proposals are due July 26th. The design for Wallace Park will include two new concession/restroom buildings, rehabilitation of the football and baseball fields and a new maintenance building. The design for Sewell Park will include a new concession/restroom building and rehabilitation of all baseball fields including converting two existing practice fields into one new 225’ field.
• A design/build request for proposals of the rehabilitation of playing fields at Noonday Park will be issued June 29th and proposals are due July 26th. The rehabilitation of the fields will include grading to provide a consistent playing surface, new irrigation systems and new sod.
• A request for qualifications for an historical architecture and related services will be issued for Hyde Farm on June 29th. Qualifications packages will be accepted until July 26th. The selected architect will provide guidance and design on the treatment of the remaining farm structures and agricultural resources within the park.
• The award for the design of new tennis center buildings at Harrison, Terrell Mill and Kennworth parks will be sent to the Board of Commissioners for consideration at their July 10th meeting. These new buildings will replace the older existing buildings. Parking improvements will also be included at the tennis center at Terrell Mill Park.
• Design/Build proposals have been accepted and are under review for the replacement of crosstie retaining walls at Lions and Wallace Parks. Existing crosstie walls in these two parks are in poor condition. The project will replace the majority of the walls with the remainder being replaced as a part of the redevelopment of the park under a separate project.

These are just a few of the numerous projects that you will see in the next few years updating and revitalizing our parks' system. For a complete listing of projects and updates, see the Splost 2011 web page on the Cobb County website.

Numerous Summer Camp Options Still Available

There are plenty of summer camp opportunities available to suit everyone's needs. Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs offers day camps, art camps, art performance camps, golf and tennis camps. In addition, there are many other camps offered by outside organizations in Cobb. The recent Camp Expo had a variety of camps represented, including ballet and dance camps, church camps, scout camps and more. For a complete listing of all the camps represented at the Camp Expo, you may download the list here (pdf file). For more information on Cobb County Parks' camps, click here.

Summer Concerts in Cobb

The summer concert series continues at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, presented by Amazon Tickets and Events. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the Mable House box office during limited hours. Shows include Lorrie Morgan on July 27th, Marty Stuart on August 11th and Little Texas/Restless Heart on August 24th. Tables that seat six are available for $402, terrace one seats are $45, terrace two are $35 and lawn seats are $25.

In addition to the summer concert series, the South Cobb Arts Alliance is hosting the free Summer Candlelite Concert series also to be held at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. Shows include Blair Crimmins and the Hookers on August 18th, Kayla Taylor Jazz on September 8th and Men in Blues on October 6th. All concerts begin at 8:00pm and gates open at 7:00pm. Lawn seating is free, tables in front of the stage are available for $50. Season tables for all five concerts are available for $225. For more information, visit southcobbarts.org.

Outdoor Romping and Creek Stomping

The 'Outdoor Romping and Creek Stomping' family series nature programs continue throughout the summer. Upcoming programs include a “Scavenger Hunt” on July 11th from 9:30am-11:30am at Heritage park (60 Fontaine Road, Mableton, 30126). All ages are welcome for this program. On July 18th from 9:30am-11:30am will be “Nickajack Creek Hike & Exploration” for ages 7 and up. This program will meet at the Silver Comet Trailhead (140 Concord Road, Smyrna, 30080). "Bird Watching" will take place July 30th from 8:00am-10:00am at the Leona Hall Price Park (4715 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw, 30152). This program is for all ages. On July 31st from 9:30am-11:30am, the program will be “Explorer Adventure” at the Wright Environmental Education Center (2661 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, 30062). All ages welcome for this program. Please park on Post Oak Tritt Road behind the Chestnut Ridge Christian Church.

All programs are $2.00 per person. To register or for additional information contact, Karen Faucett at karen.faucett@cobbcounty.org or phone (770) 528-8803.

Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden

The Cobb County Extension office is managing a community garden at the Green Meadows Perserve property located at 3780 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs. There will be regularly scheduled master gardeners on site and available to assist with questions and provide gardening recommendations and educational programs. Prices for a 4'x8' raised-bed garden plot is $48 per year with garden soil provided. Seniors over 65 may qualify for a discount. The raised-beds will be leased on a first-come, first-served basis. For information and reservations, contact the Cobb County Extension office at (770) 528-4070 or email at greenmeadowscg@gmail.com.

Stay Cool this Summer at Cobb's Outdoor Pools

Cobb has two outdoor pools where your family can stay cool this summer: Powder Springs pool and Sewell Park pool. Powder Springs pool is located at 3899 Brownsville Road in Powder Springs. The Sewell Park pool is located at 2055 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta.

Pool hours are 1:00pm–5:00pm, Tuesday–Saturday. The pools are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Beginning July 8th, the Sewell Park pool will have Sunday hours from 1:00pm-5:00pm. For more information regarding the pools, see our website.

2012 'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest

As you are out enjoying Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs parks and activities, be sure to bring your camera and capture the fun and memories of your sports activities, the beauty of nature and wildlife in the parks, and anything else that shows why you enjoy your day at the park. The 8th Annual "Fun in the Park' Photo Contest will be accepting entries throughout the summer. Enter up to 10 of your best shots for fun and awards! Open to all photographers. Digital and print photos accepted. See rules and download entry form below at the photo contest web page.

Look for the Art Station at Your Local Library this Summer!
The Art Station - Big Shanty will be working with the Cobb County Public Library System to offer hands-on art projects for children of all ages. This year the library summer program theme is “Dream Big: READ” and all projects will relate to this theme. All sessions are free and open to the public! The last scheduled program for this summer is at Kemp Memorial Library on Thursday, July 19th from 11:00am-12:00pm. For more information, contact one of the above libraries or call the Art Station at (770) 514-5930.

Nature Program at Offered at Heritage Park

The Georgia Native Plant Society is offering an instructional program for children ages 5-14. The program will be at Heritage Park on Saturday, July 14th from 10:00am-12:00pm concurrent with the GNPS Volunteer Work Day. Activities will be hands-on including: identification of important canopy trees and wildflowers/native plants, introduction to the Southeastern Forest ecosystem, identification and removal of weed species in upper trail area, and training in removal of invasive plants. The program area is located by the trail entrance in the upper parking lot of Heritage Park. Heritage Park is located at 60 Fontaine Road, Mableton 30126. Parents will be asked to remain in the vicinity while their children are participating and are welcome to participate also. For information regarding this program, see the GNPS website.

Arty Parties for Birthdays
Our art centers are now offering Arty Parties for Birthdays! The Mable House Arts Center, The Arts Place - Mountain View and The Arts Station - Big Shanty are available for art-inspired birthday parties! Available party days and times are subject to programming and staff availability. Contact us to schedule your party at least 3 weeks prior to your requested date. Parties are available for children ages 4-12 years old costing $5 to $7 per child, plus a room rental fee of $10 per hour and a refundable deposit of $50. For more information, contact your local arts center.

Staff Notes