The staff of Spalding County Parks, Public Grounds and Leisure Services are committed to providing excellence in recreation programming and quality parks for the citizens of Spalding County.

The Administration office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and is located at 843 Memorial Drive Griffin, GA 30223.

SPALDING COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION NAMED GRPA AGENCY OF THE YEAR

The Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) recently presented Spalding County Parks and Recreation with the Agency of the Year Award serving population of 50,001-80,000 at the annual GRPA conference held in Columbus, GA. This esteemed award recognizes agencies across the State of Georgia that have made a significant contribution to recreation, park, and leisure services by providing quality programming and services within their communities. The Department is celebrating the success of the past year with focus being on service, quality, and image. Major accomplishments this year are:

• The completion of the Pickleball Facility at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park.
• Additions made to the Orchard Hill Park and Sunnyside Park.
• Renovations currently underway at the Fairmont Community Center.
• The Spalding County youth football exceeded all expectations this year with their 11U team headed to the South Eastern Regional Tournament.
• The Senior Nutrition Program is also having a very successful this year. This Quality program has been in service since August 2015 and continues to grow on a daily basis.

Please note that the top three accomplishments would not have been possible without 2016 SPLOST funding.

SPALDING COUNTY SENIOR CENTER RECEIVED STATEWIDE PROGRAM AWARD

Spalding County Senior Center was recognized at the state level and presented with the Program of the Year Award for the “Come Grow With Us” raised bed garden initiative at the Senior Center. The program was recognized as an innovative and outstanding program made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Spalding County Parks, Public Grounds and Leisure Services, the Spalding County Cooperative Extension Office, the Georgia Resource and Development Council/Two Rivers Regional Commission, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Towaliga Soil and Water Conservation District, the Griffin Home Depot, Boy Scout Troop 37 and Cub Scout Pack 103.

The program included educational classroom instruction on food demonstrations, tea making classes, hands-on-planting, gardening and general maintenance, harvesting and composting. “Come Grow With Us” has impacted the seniors by providing gardening skills and knowledge that teaches them how to grow their own food. Participants have been encouraged to try new things such as Asian coleslaw during a food demonstrations and lemon grass tea at the tea making class; they are trying things they never would have thought about trying before!

“Come Grow With Us” has made its mark on the Spalding County Senior Center and has empowered seniors to learn new skills in their later life that will help sustain their health and wellness. This program initiative has built a community of gardening friends that involves participation and interaction with one another. These relationships are built on trust and responsibility that will have a lasting impact on each individual involved with the program.

The seniors are uncovering new passions, through gardening practices, for growing their own affordable food. They are gaining knowledge about seasonal crops and how to grow and eat from their gardens all year long!