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March 2013

The 2013 Hunt - Cobb's Largest Egg Hunt

Cobb County’s Largest Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 23rd, at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. The event begins at 10:00am and ends at 2:00pm. The 2013 Hunt will feature children’s art activities, live entertainment, inflatables, and concessions. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to delight the children and there will be contests, including the Mad Hatter Contest and Decorated Basket Contest. 

There will be five egg hunts which will be broken down into age groups. In each hunt, there will be special prize eggs. The schedule of events is as follows:

10:00am - Park opens
10:30am - 3 years & under hunt
11:00am - 4 & 5 years hunt
11:30am - Special Population’s hunt

12:00pm - 6 & 7 years hunt
12:30pm - 8-10 years hunt
1:00pm - Mad Hatter’s Contest / Easter Basket Contest
2:00pm - Park closes

Admission for The Hunt is free. For more information please call (770) 528-8875.

Registration Time for Cobb Summer Camps

Cobb Parks offers summer camps meeting the needs of almost any interest.  Camps are offered in arts and performance, recreation programs, tennis, golf, and therapeutics for special-needs individuals. Registration for many programs is coming up in the next few weeks.  Below are the start dates and times for registrations of the various programs:

Cobb Parks will also be hosting the 2013 Camp Expo on May 2nd at the Cobb Civic Center. The Summer Camp Expo is your one-stop shop for summer camp programs for your children! There you will find information about day camps, art camps, church camps, overnight camps, performing art programs, tennis camps and much more. The admission is free. The expo will be held from 11:00am-7:00pm.

For more information, see the summer camp page on the park's web site.  Many camps fill up fast, so don't be left out this summer.  Online registration is available for many camp programs.  If you do not have a PIN number and log-in ID, be sure to do so prior to the registration start date.  Contact the facility of interest for information on how to acquire your PIN and Log-in ID.

Keep Cobb Beautiful Celebrates Arbor Day In Georgia!

Keep Cobb Beautiful (KCB) staff and board of directors, in partnership with Cobb County Department of Transportation, hosted an event on Saturday, February 16th, in celebration of Georgia's Arbor Day. Thirty-five (35) Red Maple trees were planted at the intersection of Powder Springs Road and Macland Road, the location of the recently completed Windy Hill Connector project.

The volunteer group included high school students from Marietta, Hillgrove, and North Cobb, as well as college students attending Kennesaw State University, GA Tech, and the University of Georgia. Despite the cold, crisp temperatures, volunteers were very enthusiastic and ready to work. The group was surprised by a generous donation of cookies from local girl scouts who were selling their product across the street at the Macland Crossing Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A management and staff also participate in KCB’s Adopt-A-Mile program with regularly scheduled litter cleanups.

Georgia's Arbor Day is a time to reflect on the importance of trees in our state. While National Arbor Day is the third Friday in April, it is too warm then to plant trees in Georgia. Instead, Georgia celebrates on the third Friday in February. Every tree planted helps clean the air and water, beautify neighborhoods, provides homes for wildlife, conserves energy and prevents soil erosion.

KCB staff will also host a tree-planting event at 8:30am, on Saturday, March 23rd, in Marietta (30064), at the intersection of Old Hamilton Road and Due West Road. For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, please call (770) 528-1135 or send e-mail to keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org. For information on KCB, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KeepCobbBeautiful.

'Natural Connections' Homeschool Science Program
The Natural Resource Management Unit of Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is hosting a science program for homeschooled students. Natural Connections, a 3rd to 5th grade science program, includes a study of animals class, symbiosis and the use of microscopes as well as a nature walk. Other ages are welcome as students will be divided into groups by age. The program will be held at Heritage Park in Mableton on April 5th from 2:30pm—4:30pm. The fee to participate is $2.00 per student. Registration is required as space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Kaye Wilson at (770) 528-8824 or kaye.wilson@cobbcounty.org.

Spring Break Camp at the Mable House

Spring break is almost here and what better way for your kids to spend it than at the Mable House Arts Center's Spring Break Art Camp! Our camp is split into two camps: ages 6-7 and ages 8-12 years old. The camp is April 8th-12th from 9:00am-3:00pm. The camp fee is $100 (this includes the supply fee). Children only need to bring a ready-to-eat lunch, wear clothes that can get a little messy and be ready to have a blast! Please call the Mable House Arts Center at (770) 819-3285 with any questions. We are limited on space so register today.

'Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.' Coming to the Mable House

The Theatre Project is proud to present 'Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.' to the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre stage! This show is a high-spirited musical romp that has all of New York dancing the Charleston. It’s the zany new 1920’s musical that has taken Broadway by storm! Show dates are Friday, April 19th, Saturday, April 20th at 7:00pm and Sunday, April 21st at 3:00pm. Tickets are $5; children 12 and under are free. VIP tables seat 6 for $45. You may purchase tickets and tables at (770) 819-3285.

B.ring Y.our O.wn D.inner Show! at The Art Place
Larry Shue’s theatre performance of 'The Nerd' will be held March 21st-23rd at 8:00pm at The Art Place. An aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Indiana, Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, "you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you"—so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless "nerd". Rick stays on and on, and his continued presence among Willum and his friends leads to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence - a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising "twist" ending of the play.

Bring your own dinner, snacks, dessert, drinks and sit back and enjoy a show! You can purchase tickets at www.theartplace.us.

A Variety of Art Camps Offered This Summer
Cobb's 3 art centers are gearing-up for a fun and exciting summer of art camps. Here is what you will find this summer at our art facilities:

The Art Place - This year’s camp theme is ARTifacts: Can You Dig it? Have you ever wondered how ancient civilizations are discovered, studied and revered for their artistic contributions to the world? “ARTifacts: Can You Dig It” art camp will take young artists through time to discover the role that art has played in the landscape, crafted tools, creatures and culture of early civilizations. Unearth and celebrate early societies through the interesting items they left behind while using unique art mediums, techniques and ARTifacts to create finished masterpieces. Art campers projects will largely be inspired by ancient art, pyramids, geoglyphs and labyrinths, tombs, ancient artifacts and early dwellings to name a few. Have fun creating 2D and 3D works of art that cover painting, printmaking, collage, drawing and more! In addition, theatre games, skills and a specially written play will be performed by older campers.

Students can only register for one of the elementary camps and must be 4 years old by March 11th, 2013 (new policy for summer 2013). Also new this summer is the 'Dig a Little Deeper' camps for ages 9-12 (one week per child only). Summer camp registration will begin on March 13th at 9:30am for residents of Cobb County. Registration will begin the following day for non-residents. All of our camp offerings are available at www.theartplace.us and you can drop by in-person to register or register with us online through our website.

Mable House Arts Center - Give your child an Asian Art experience without leaving the country. We will tour a variety of destinations including China, India and Indonesia. Students will receive instruction in multiple artworks during this art emersion camp. Each week offers a different curriculum. Stay for just the morning or combine afternoon classes for an extended day. Afternoon camps include clay, performing arts, drumming and much more! Registration begins March 12th at 9:30am.  Call the Mable House Arts Center at (770) 819-3285 to register or register online or in-person.

The Art Station-Big Shanty - 'Art Across America' is the theme for our summer art camps. Strap on your seat belt and enjoy the ride on this fun-filled cross-country road trip! Each day we'll "visit" a different art musuem and campers will create their own art based on that facility's collections. We offer camp options for ages 18 months through 18 years of age. Registration for summer camps begins on March 14th at 9:30am. Don’t wait, register early as camps are expected to fill quickly!

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 first phase of cross-tie retaining wall replacement has been completed at Wallace Park. Additional retaining walls will be replaced in conjunction with the improvements for the rest of the park. The location of additional walls will be coordinated with the location of the new baseball concession building.

• A Notice to Proceed for construction has been issued for construction of the retaining wall replacements at Fullers Park. Installation of erosion control has started.

• Upon completion of the retaining wall replacement at Fullers Park, the contractor will move to Lions Park to construct the new walls at the facility.

• Sports Turf Company, Inc. has completed the design work for the field renovations at Noonday Park and a land disturbance permit has been issued by Community Development. Sports Turf anticipates starting construction in January and the park will be closed until July 26, 2013. Sports Turf will attempt to complete the renovation of fields 1-3 and 9-12 during that time period. Fields that aren’t reconstructed by July 26 will be completed after the fall soccer season of 2013.

• Design is continuing for the tennis center buildings at Terrell Mill, Harrison, and Kennworth Parks. The Design Development deliverables have been submitted for review by PRCA. Upon approval, the preparation of the final construction documents will begin. Design is scheduled to be submitted to Purchasing to start the advertisement for bidding in the second quarter of 2013.

• Lose and Associates is nearing completion of the preliminary design for Wallace Park. The project is scheduled to be sent to Purchasing for bidding in the summer of 2013.

• Lose and Associates is scheduled to complete the preliminary design for Kennworth Park in mid February. The project is scheduled to be sent to Purchasing for bidding in the summer of 2013.

• Contracts have been issued to jB+a, inc. for the design of the rehabilitation of Sandy Plains Park. jB+a is in the process of compiling their contract and insurance documentation for submittal to the County. Upon approval, the contracts will be routed for signature and a Notice to Proceed with the design will be issued after signature by the Chairman.

• A Notice to Proceed with the design of the pool house and pool renovations at Sewell Park was issued to Pope/Partners. Preliminary design is getting underway. The construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013 and be completed by Memorial Day in 2014.

• Contracts have been issued to Brewer Engineering for the design of the fields and concession building replacement at Sewell Park. Brewer is in the process of obtaining the required final insurance information and upon return, the contracts will be routed for signature by the Chairman, and a Notice to Proceed with the design will be issued upon receipt of the contracts signed by the Chairman.

• Contracts have been issued to Wakefield Beasley & Associates for the infrastructure analysis and improvements for the Civic Center. Upon receipt of the signed contracts and required insurance information, the contracts will be routed for review and execution.

• Contracts have been issued to Lyman Davidson Dooley for the design of Wildhorse Park seasonal water feature. Upon receipt of the signed contracts and required insurance information, the contracts will be routed for review and execution.

• Contracts have been issued to Southeastern Engineering for the design of improvements at Hurt Road Park. Upon receipt of the signed contracts and required insurance information, the contracts will be routed for review and execution.

• Proposals for the sports field lighting design at Tramore and Noonday Parks have been evaluated, and McVeigh and Mangum was selected as the designer for these projects. Contracts have been issued; McVeigh and Mangum is in the process of obtaining the required final insurance information and upon return, the contracts will be routed for signature by the Chairman and a Notice to Proceed with the design will be issued upon receipt of the contracts signed by the Chairman.

• The details of the scope of work and fee for Hyde Farm Historical Architecture have been finalized, and the contract with AMEC for the design was approved by the Board at the January 8, 2013 meeting.

• The award for the purchase of new scoreboards has been approved by the Board. The scoreboards will be purchased under an annual contract and be installed by PRCA staff and/or through annual contract. The majority of the existing scoreboards throughout the Parks system will be replaced.

• The proposals for the design of improvements at Shaw Park have been distributed to the evaluation committee for review and will be submitted to the BOC for consideration at the February 12 meeting.

• The proposals for the design of the improvements at Al Bishop Park have been distributed to the evaluation committee for review and will be submitted to the BOC for consideration at the February 12 meeting.

• The proposals for the design of the replacement of three concession/restroom buildings at Fullers Park have been distributed to the evaluation committee for review and will be submitted to the BOC for consideration at the February 12 meeting.   
• The preparation of the Powder Springs Park Master Plan is in process. A meeting with the consultant was held to consider further revisions to bring the project in alignment with the established budget for the project. A revised Master Plan has been submitted to PRCA for review.
• A draft RFP for the design of improvements at Lions Park has been prepared and reviewed by PRCA staff. The document will be finalized and submitted to Purchasing no later than February 6, 2013.
• A draft RFP for the design of improvements at Nickajack Park has been prepared and reviewed by staff. The document will be finalized and submitted to Purchasing no later than February 20, 2013.
• An RFP for improvements of the infrastructure at Jim Miller Park is currently being drafted. The RFP will be submitted to Purchasing once the scope of the work to be included in the RFP is finalized.
• Procurement of miscellaneous materials for improvements at Central Aquatic Center has begun. All materials for this project will be purchased via formal quotations from qualified vendors.
• Planning for the air quality improvements at South Cobb Aquatic Center and West Cobb Aquatic Center has begun. Purchase of major equipment for the projects is scheduled for 2013. Installation will be coordinated with the operation of the facilities.
• The shingle roof on picnic shelter #1 at Terrell Mill Park has been replaced with a metal roof.
  

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.