2012-08

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 through November 2nd. 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.

The annual fishing rodeo was recently held at Lost Mountain Park. Every year the Natural Resource Management staff of Cobb County, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department hosts a fishing rodeo for children ages 3—16 years old. The rodeo is free and prizes and trophies are given out to the first, second, and third place winners for the most fish caught. Everyone who enters the fishing rodeo also receives a prize bag full of goodies that have been donated by several businesses. Over 100 children participated in the rodeo this year. The winners were as follows:

Most Fish Caught
Ages 3-6 Aidan Camidane
Ages 7-9 Zion McKinney
Ages 10-12 Matthew Jones
Ages 13-16 Amy Casto

Biggest Fish Category
1st Place – Cameron McVicar 25oz
2nd Place – Matthew Jones 24oz
3rd Place – Will Leftwich 20oz
4th Place – Daniel Martin 19oz
5th Place – Amy Casto 18oz

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:

Construction has started at the Mountain View Aquatic Center. The project includes a new mechanical system in the natatorium, painting of the ceiling and steel structure and miscellaneous architectural repairs. The painting of the natatorium ceiling and steel structure will be completed by July 23rd. The demolition of the existing mechanical equipment is completed and the new piping work has started. The new dehumidifier units will be delivered July 26. New marcite is scheduled to be installed in the fifty meter pool starting in early September. Patrons will enjoy the newly resurfaced 50 meter Lap Pool and refurbished bulkhead along with other projects that are scheduled throughout the facility. The project is expected to be completed in October and the anticipated re-opening date is October 15, 2012. Pictures are being uploaded to the Cobb Aquatics Facebook page on a regular basis, so you can follow the progress there.
At Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, the contract for the replacement of the fly system equipment has been awarded to Janson Industries. The equipment replacement will 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.
Thirteen proposals were submitted for the design of the redevelopment of Wallace Park. The design for Wallace Park will include two new concession/restroom buildings, rehabilitation of the football and baseball fields and a new maintenance building.
Proposals for the design of the redevelopment at Sewell Park are due July 26. The project will include a new concession/restroom building and rehabilitation of all baseball fields including converting two existing practice fields into one new 225’ field.
Proposals for the design of the rehabilitation of the swimming pool and poolhouse at Sewell Park are due August 23. The current schedule requires the construction to begin immediately following Labor Day weekend in 2013 and be complete by Memorial Day weekend in 2014.
The design/build proposals of the rehabilitation of playing fields at Noonday Park 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 has been issued for Hyde Farm. 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 contract for the design of new tennis center buildings at Harrison, Terrell Mill and Kennworth parks was awarded to Long Engineering, Inc. at the July 10th Board of Commissioners meeting. These new buildings will replace the older existing buildings. Parking improvements will also be included at the tennis center at Terrell Mill Park.
The design/build contract for the replacement of crosstie retaining walls at Lions and Wallace Parks was awarded to Johnson Landscape/Vertical Earth at the July 10th Board of Commissioners meeting. 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.
Proposals for the design of Kennworth Park are due August 9, 2012. The project will include replacing two existing concession/restroom buildings with new buildings, rehabilitation of all softball fields including and replacement of wood poles at the tennis courts.

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.

Cobb Lifeguards Compete in State Competition
Georgia Recreation and Park Association held their annual lifeguard competition on July 23rd at Atlanta Beach at International Park in Clayton County. The competition consists of events that test the skills and knowledge of lifeguarding including water rescue skills and critical incident scenarios. Cobb County sent two teams to the competition this year and the teams were made up of employees from all of Cobb County's aquatic facilities and the teams finished in 2nd and 3rd place. Other agencies participating in this year’s lifeguard competition were Augusta-Richmond County Parks and Recreation, Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, Clayton County Parks and Recreation and the City of Cartersville Parks and Recreation. Congratulations to our lifeguards for their excellent showing again this year!

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 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.

The Mable House Arts Center provides a variety of enrichment Home School Classes for your child. Courses include Pottery, Academics in Art, The Secret Life of Dr. Seuss, Yoga and much, much more!!! The 2012 fall quarter begins August 22nd and classes are starting to fill up! For questions or to register for these impressive classes, call (770) 819-3285. To see a complete list of, please visit www.MableHouse.org

The Lost Mountain Community Tennis Association will host the "Jefferson Bradford Memorial" tennis tournament at Lost Mountain Tennis Center. The tournament will be held August 25th-26th. The tournament will include men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed. All proceeds benefit Hillgrove High School Grid Iron football team. Registration will begin August 1st and the deadline for entry is August 18th. See the LMCTA web site for registration information or contact Lost Mountain Tennis Center at (770) 528-8525 for information regarding the tournament.

All sizes, all shapes and all colors - The Theater Project is collecting shoe boxes and clothes hangers. Please remember us when cleaning out your closets. Just bring your unwanted shoe boxes to the Mable House Arts Center (or any Cobb County arts center) and we will put them to good use. We are organizing our costume closet and need hangers and boxes. The Mable House Arts Center is located at 5239 Floyd Road, in Mableton. If you have any questions, our phone number is (770) 819-3285.

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.

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.