| Connecting the ACCGov Leisure Servces Department with Local School Children
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No School? No Problem!
The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers day off school programs when the Clarke County School District is not in session.
Limited openings remain:
For more information, please call 706-613-3800.
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Park Locator - Try it Today!
There is now an easier way to find Leisure Services Department parks and facilities through the interactive Park Locator: accgov.com/parklocator
Use the filter button on the left to choose your amenity then your options across the community will appear. You can also click the green tree icon to find department parks and facilities while the purple building icon denotes facilities.
Additional information on Athens Transit access and even the number of parking spaces is included.
For more information, please call 706-613-3800.
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Fall Online Registration Continues
The Leisure Services Department continues fall program registration.
The selection features a diverse group of activities
All registration takes place online at www.accgov.com/myrec Registration will continue until activities are at full enrollment or they begin.
Before registering, individuals who have not already done so must establish a free online account at www.accgov.com/myrec. Payment may be rendered using a debit card, American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, or a MasterCard or Visa gift card.
Individuals with expired scholarships and new scholarship applicants must visit a Leisure Services Department facility office at least five business days prior to registering for a program. Scholarships must be applied for in person. Information regarding the scholarship activity, including required documentation, is available at www.accgov.com/scholarship.
Individuals who do not have access to a computer or smart phone may register online using a public computer at Heard Park Community Center at 400 McKinley Dr., Lay Park at 297 Hoyt St., or Howard Park at 291 Henderson Ext. during regular hours of operation.
For more information, please call 706-613-3800.
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Grab Your Skates!
Join Leisure Services with a fun and friendly skate program for all ages and skill levels!
Participants will cruise the beautiful Firefly Trail or North Oconee River Greenway together, sharing good vibes, building skills, and making new friends. Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced skater, come roll with us and light up the trail!
This free program, set for Thursday, September 11 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., and is for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please assemble at the Dudley Park pavilion.
For more information, please call 706-613-3620.
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2025 Athens Water Festival at Sandy Creek Park
One of the best family-friendly events in Athens is right around the corner!
Join us for the annual Athens Water Festival on Saturday, September 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park. The Festival is free, however there is the $2 per person park entry fee
This year's theme is Super Mario. Water is your quest during this day filled with power-up splash zones, watery obstacle courses, and more. Whether you're playing games, creating art, making bubbles, or watching the magic show, there's something for every player - young or old! Bring a bathing suit to run through the spray of the water trucks and swim in Lake Chapman.
For more information, please call 706-613-3729.
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Into Space!
Join Sandy Creek Nature Center staff for planetarium program in the Sky Center.
Everyone will journey through the night sky, exploring the great beyond.
The program is scheduled for Saturday, September 20 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. The fee is $5 for ACC residents and $7.50 for non-residents. This program is not scholarship eligible
The September theme is, "Ship of Dreams, Moonlight Beams."
For more information, please call 706-613-3615.
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Afterschool Programs
The Leisure Services Department offers free afterschool programs at its community centers including Heard Park, Lay Park, and Howard Park.
The Leisure Services Department will provide its afterschool programs at their three community centers:
Lay Park's program is underway.
Heard and Howard Parks begin on September 9.
Lay Park, located at 297 Hoyt Street, Heard Park at 400 McKinley Drive, and Howard Park at 293 Henderson Ext, all offer free afterschool programs daily from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Participants receive one on one homework help during the school week from University of Georgia volunteers. Additional activities include recreational activities, computer access, and arts and crafts. Check with your child’s school to see if bus transportation to the center is available. Parents are responsible for picking up their child each day.
For more information, please call Heard Park at 706-613-3593, Howard Park at 706-613-3602, or Lay Park at 706-613-3596.
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Teen Programs this Fall
The Leisure Services Department offers a variety of program for teens. Online registration is underway!
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Get Ready for Halloween!
Have a glouish time with all of the Halloween events scheduled this fall:
- Pumpkin Hunt at Lay Park (October 3, 2025)
- Bear Holloween at Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park (October 17, 2025)
- Scary, Oozy, Slimy Day at Sandy Creek Nature Center (October 18, 2025)
- Journey through the Stars Planetarium Program: Spooky Space at Sandy Creek Nature Center (October 18, 2025)
- Walk through Boo at Lay Park (October 24, 2025)
- Fright on the Firefly Halloween Trick or Treat Trail at Dudley Park (Oct. 25, 2025)
- Jack-O-Lantern Jog 5K and Goblin One-Mile Fun Run (October 26, 2025)
- Trunk or Treat at Heard Park (October 27, 2025)
- Halloween Carnival at Heard Park (October 28, 2025)
- Halloween Costume Party Therapeutic Program at Howard Park (Oct 30, 2025)
For more information, please call 706-613-3800 or visit www.accgov.com/halloween
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ACCGov Activities and Online RegistrationThe Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers a diverse selection of activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports, and holiday events for adults and children. All registration takes place online at www.accgov.com/myrec
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ACCGov Leisure Services ScholarshipsThe Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers scholarship to qualifying Athens-Clarke County children. Scholarships allow participants to pay less than the program fee.
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