Sandy Springs Named Tree City USA

Welcome back!

The City of Sandy Springs was recognized by the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the first year Sandy Springs has earned this national designation.

“This is quite an honor,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos. “For many years, the Arbor Day Foundation has inspired people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. To have their recognition at this point in our City’s life means a great deal.”

Sandy Springs has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“We commend Sandy Springs’ elected officials, volunteers and its residents for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

Sandy Springs Youth Basketball League

Sandy Springs Youth Basketball League

The city of Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department is very excited to introduce the first ever city- wide youth basketball league. They are working with four local Elementary schools as host sites for practices and games. Games may also be played at Sandy Springs Middle school.

Registration for the youth basketball program is open, through December for Boys and Girls 2-3-4-5 grades.

Practices begin in early January. It is the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Departments goal to provide recreational programs for the children of Sandy Springs at a minimal cost, and to be all inclusive.

There are several ways to registration for youth basketball and other programs offered by the Department:

1. Online at www.activenet.active.com/sandyspringsga/

2. In person at the Hammond Park offices located at 705 Hammond Dr. Sandy Springs, Ga. 30328.

Cost for youth basketball is $25. Scholarships are also available upon request

There are more athletic programs in the works for the children of Sandy Springs that include soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, kickball, volleyball and a super summer sports camp in early June. We’ll keep you up-to-date future youth athletic opportunities.

Baseball & Softball Registration Deadline

Registration for the 2009 spring season of Sandy Springs youth baseball and softball is available online at www.sandyspringsbaseball.com.

The registration deadline is this Saturday, January 10, 2009 to avoid late fees and to take advantage of the $25 sibling discount.

The spring season will begin the week of February 22nd at the Morgan Falls Sports Complex located 450 Morgan Falls Place.

Let’s play ball!

Hammond Park Master Plan Public Input Meeting

January 21, 2009
10:00 am	to	11:00 am
7:00 pm	to	8:00 pm

The City of Sandy Springs is currently working on a Master Plan for Hammond Park to make improvements to the park including the addition of an Aquatics Facility.

Sandy Springs will be holding a public input meeting on January 21st at 10 am and 7 pm to get further input from Sandy Springs residents.

The steering committee has decided to move forward with Concept A for the master plan of the park.

Additionally, the steering committee has sected Concept C for the Aquatics Center:

• Aquatic Center Concept C

At this time the plan includes a competition pool and a leisure pool. The competition pool will be a 25 yard by 25 meter pool and include (1) 3 meter and (2) 1 meter diving boards. The leisure pool area includes 3 lap lanes, a lazy river for resistance walking, hydrotherapy bench seating areas, a zero depth entry with a climbable play structure, spray features and a waterslide. The facility will allow for spectator seating for 960 people.

The Public Input meeting will be held at the Multi-Purpose Room at the Hammond Park Gym.

In order to allow more people to attend, there will be two sessions. The first session will be at 10 a.m. with a second at 7 p.m.

21st Annual Jingle Jog and Elf Run

December 13, 2008
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm

Jingle Jog is coming this weekend, celebrating its 21st anniversary.

On December the 13th, friends, co-workers and family will come join us to participate in the Jingle Jog. They will have awards for a myriad of categories, running and non-running. Also, bring as many toys as you can because the Salvation Army will be at the Jingle Jog to collect toys for needy children at Christmas.

Please come out and hear great holiday music and sing along to get in the holiday spirit at the Jingle Jog with The Salvation Army Band! Participants receive Jingle Bells to wear on their shoe’s! Participate in the Trader Joe’s Prize Walk.

You can win lots of great prizes including: dinners, hotel rooms, sports equipment and much, much more. Participants and spectators are treated to drinks, fruits and plenty of other great food while being festively entertained by The Salvation Army Band.

And be sure to check out Santa’s Playground, which will include:

• Free Balloon Twisting by The Magic of Tommy Johns!
• Pony rides, starting around 8:30 AM
• Inflatable Games
• Contests
• Crafts start at approximately 8:45 AM
• Face Painting
• Santa Clause and Friends
• Build a Bear Workshop
• Discovery Toy Fair
• Rock Wall

Jingle Jog takes place at Costco at 6350 Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Festivities get kicked off at 8 AM. We hope to see everyone there this Saturday at this popular Dunwoody / Sandy Springs annual event!