Recreation & Parks - Planning /Development/Safety

Rec & Parks Augusta
Recreation & Parks

Planning/Development

The Division of Planning and Development is responsible for long term planning, administration of the Comprehensive Master Plan for the Department of Recreation and Parks, management of the City of Augusta’s Capital Improvement Plan for recreation and parks, construction of new parks, rehabilitation of existing park facilities, the coordination of legislative requests and grant fund administration.

In the summer of 2001, an in-house construction crew was established. This three-man crew supervises inmate laborers from the Richmond County Correctional Institute. The in-house construction crew is charged with the task of small park development and a variety of park improvement projects that in turn save and extend the monies available for capital improvements.

Phase V of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program was approved in November 2005. This voter approved capital improvement program will guide the development of new parks and the renovation of existing parks from 2006 – 2010. A total of $5,000,000 has been appropriated for the Department of Recreation and Parks.

In addition, these and other projects may be funded from other sources such as Community Block Grants (CDBG), Transportation Enhancement Act Funds (TEA) and other state and federal initiatives.

The Division takes great pride in working with all residents of the City of Augusta to ensure there is the maximum amount of public input during the process in the development of a quality park system for all of our residents and visitors alike. Our staff works diligently with local agencies, the Richmond County Board of Education, elected officials, the business community, non-profit organizations, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, the National Recreation and Park Association and of course our most precious commodity, you, our residents in an effort to maximize funding dollars and expertise to provide the parks, facilities and services we all can be proud to enjoy.

2007 PARK PROJECT/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Park Project

Fleming Tennis Center – Completed the construction of three additional tennis courts. (SPLOST V Funded).

Apple Valley Park – Phase I construction completed. (CDBG/SPLOST V Funded).

Diamond Lakes Regional Park – Completed the construction of a new entrance road off of Willis Foreman Road. (GDOT Fully Funded Project).

Secured funding ($45,000) through the Augusta Housing and Community Development Department for the purchase of one hot & cold meal delivery vehicle for the Department’s Senior Nutrition and Wellness Program.

Augusta Soccer Park - Completed additional field lighting program at the soccer complex. (SPLOST V Funded).

Henry H. Brigham – Completed a building addition to the Senior Center. (CDBG/SPLOST V Funded).

May Park – Completed parking improvement project. (CDBG Funded).

McDuffie Woods – Completed the construction of a new kitchen at the center. (CDBG Funded).

W. T. Johnson Center – Completed the design for kitchen renovations to the center.

M. M. Scott Park – Completed the design of a new walking track at the park.

Fleming Tennis Center – Completed the design of a building expansion to the existing park house.

Woodlake Park – Completed park improvement project. (SPLOST III Funded).

McBean Park – Completed the design of park improvements scheduled for 2008. (SPLOST V Funded).

2008 PARKS IN PROGRESS/MAJOR GOALS AND CHALLANGES

Major projects for 2008 fiscal year include the following:

Park Design and Construction/Improvements:

Diamond Lakes Tennis Complex
Wood Park Renovations/New Water Playground
Blythe Community Park Improvements/Center Expansion
Meadowbrook Park Improvement Project/Comfort Station/Parking
The Boathouse New Roof
Diamond Lakes Community Center Locker Room Build Out
Lake Olmstead Park Gazebo Area Improvements
Valley Park Master Plan
Jamestown Community Center Facility Improvements/Expansion
W. T. Johnson Kitchen Renovation Improvement Project
Newman Tennis Center Lighting Improvements

Goals and Challenges:

Begin preliminary data collection to prepare the Department’s CIP program and upcoming SPLOST VI Program
2009 CDBG Grant Applications
The establishment of design/maintenance standards
Coordination of GBA park inventory program

Safety Tips for Visiting One of Your City Parks or Facilities:

Prior to getting to the park, leave your personal belongings at home, or secured in your vehicle.
ALWAYS lock your vehicle.
Park in well lit areas of the park.
When jogging or walking with earphones, be aware of your surroundings.
Do not allow your children to wander into restrooms by themselves. Use the buddy system.
Always know the whereabouts of your children.
Carry a cell phone in the event you need assistance.
Don’t become confrontational with someone breaking the law.

If you observe a dangerous situation, see a piece of equipment that may be damaged or vandalized, suspicious people, or another issue of concern; contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 706-796-5025.

For more information regarding any of our capital projects, please contact Ron Houck, Planning and Development Manager at (706) 796-5025 or rhouck@augustaga.gov

Augusta Recreation and Parks Projects at a Glance (PDF)

The Benefits of Local Recreation and Park Services

In a recent nation-wide study conducted at Penn State University, researchers compiled a listing of the benefits of local recreation and park services as perceived by the American public.

Participants in the study could be divided into two groups: users of local recreation and park services and non-users. Surprisingly, 71% of non-users said they received some benefit from their communities’ parks and recreational services.

Benefits identified by non-users were as follows:
* Availability * Keeping kids off the streets * Keeping kids occupied
* Community Awareness * Giving kids a place to go
* Feeling good because of being there * Exercise, fitness & conditioning
* Good for kids * Kid’s enjoyment * Having a place to go

Individual and family benefits identified by users of local parks and recreation services:
* Personal – 42% * Social – 38% * Facility/Activity – 12% * Environmental – 6% * Economic – 2%

Personal Benefits:

Exercise, fitness & conditioning
Fun and entertainment
Learning and education
Relaxation
Health

Social Benefits:

Getting to know people
Group participation
Interaction of adults and kids
Community awareness
Team spirit

Facility Benefits:

Having instructional classes
The joy of playing
A place to go
Exposure to the arts
Crafts
Watching organized sports

Environmental Benefits:

Fresh air
Nature
A place to be outdoors

Economic Benefits:

Affordability

Benefits ranked by recreation and park professionals in order of importance:

* Basic services to poorer residents * Protection of natural environment
* Civic identity and pride * Community visual appeal and function
* Develop strong communities * Percent of population using regularly
* Individual growth and development
* Avoidance of costly damage due to mismanagement of the ecological system
* Prevents social problems * Reduces health problems and costs
* Integrates disabled, disadvantaged and socially alienated * Job creation
* Percentage of population who might use * Assists with tourist industry
* Attracts industry * Prepares individuals to cooperate with others
* Increases property values and tax revenues * Opportunities for the underemployed
* Desire to replace volunteer effort * Saves property owner expense
* Stimulate leisure retail industry

Conclusions of the Study

The vast majority of the American public uses local recreation and park services.
Park and playground use is the most common use.
Park and recreational service use continues throughout the life cycle. Recreational participation declines with age, but park use does not. In fact, people between the ages of 65 and 74 use local parks more frequently than any other age group from those 15 and older.
The majority of people that do not use parks and recreational services still perceive substantial benefit from them.
Sixty percent of the study’s respondents perceive a “great deal” of community benefit from such services.
Seventy-five percent of respondents said that “local recreation and park services are worth $45.00 or more per member of their household” per year.
Local parks and recreation are associated with a sense of community. Community level benefits are considered more important than individual or household level benefits.