Friends of Sandy Springs Awarded the Sticks for Kids Excellence Award

The Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) Foundation and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) are proud to announce the recipient of the inaugural Sticks for Kids Excellence Award: Friends of Sandy Springs Foundation in Sandy Springs, Ga.

The award is meant to honor an outstanding junior golf program that has utilized its granted Sticks for Kids program to the fullest potential. That can be accomplished by establishing and growing a junior golf program and using it as an outreach and youth development tool for area youth as well as a means to grow the game.

Friends of Sandy Springs Foundation started Sticks for Kids programming in 2010 and through the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department it has taken a multi-pronged approach to support the youth in its community. A no-charge afterschool program has been established at three elementary schools in the community with demonstrations, drills, skills contests and game activities three times a week while school is in session. Another program is held during summer camp and many of the children attend on scholarship and are introduced to golf for the first time.

The Sticks for Kids Excellence Award will be presented at the GCBAA Summer Meeting, Aug. 10 to 12, in Atlanta, during the special 40th Anniversary Recognition Dinner Thursday evening.

For more information about the event or Sticks for Kids, contact the GCBAA.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Call for Entries for the Sandy Springs Playable Art Park
• New Gymnastics Duo Coming to Sandy Springs
• Registration for Summer Camps Begins Today!
• Sandy Springs Commemorates Arbor Day by Planting Trees
• Kicks For Causes Charity Kickball Tournament

Call for Entries for the Sandy Springs Playable Art Park

By the Fall of 2012, Abernathy Road will have a completely different look. The Sandy Springs Conservancy and Art Sandy Springs have joined forces to create the Playable Art Park at Abernathy Greenway. These are two different components: the Abernathy Greenway and the Playable Art Park. First, the Abernathy Greenway is going to be a mile-long stretch of greenspace situated on both sides of Abernathy Road. For those that travel on this highly congested stretch of asphalt every day, the new park will provide much more beautiful scenery.

In addition, the Greenway will be home to the Playable Art Park – an innovative and fun way to expose children to art. Funded by Northside Hospital, the Playable Art Park will help children experience art by encouraging them to climb on it, jump from it, crawl through it, move it and just plain play around it. This unique play space will inspire children on many levels.

Making the new play park even more a part of the community, local artists or teams of artists are welcome to submit original artwork to be considered. Applications are being accepted through October 1, 2011. Read more

Possibly Related Posts:

• Friends of Sandy Springs Awarded the Sticks for Kids Excellence Award
• New Gymnastics Duo Coming to Sandy Springs
• Registration for Summer Camps Begins Today!
• Sandy Springs Commemorates Arbor Day by Planting Trees
• Kicks For Causes Charity Kickball Tournament

New Gymnastics Duo Coming to Sandy Springs

Within five years, the Sandy Springs gymnastics program has grown by leaps and bounds from just 100 participants to in excess of 1,200 and now the coaching staff will see expansion too. The Sandy Springs gymnastics community welcomes husband and wife coaching team Gennadiy (“Coach G”) and Ina Korshunov. The pair joins the existing coaching staff and brings with them a combined 98 years of coaching experience of gymnasts at all skill levels and talents.

The Korshunovs came to Georgia in 1998 to share their talents and expertise with gymnasts. They coached at several other gyms until they decided to move to Sandy Springs to develop a strong base with recreational classes, additional teams and continue to compete successfully on the local, state, regional and national levels. The pair coached former Russian Olympian Elena Davydova.

According to Coach G, their coaching philosophy is very simple: know the children, find out what makes them “tick” and teach them not only gymnastics, but life lessons as well. But safety is always the first priority for the coaches and the gymnasts practicing and competing. Read more

Possibly Related Posts:

• Friends of Sandy Springs Awarded the Sticks for Kids Excellence Award
• Call for Entries for the Sandy Springs Playable Art Park
• Registration for Summer Camps Begins Today!
• Sandy Springs Commemorates Arbor Day by Planting Trees
• Kicks For Causes Charity Kickball Tournament

Registration for Summer Camps Begins Today!

Online registration for the Recreation and Parks Department’s summer camps and classes begins today, March 14, 2011. There are summer fun opportunities for all ages: preschool, youth and teens.

Some of the camps offered include: Day Camp, Sports Camp, Introduction to Tennis, Soccer, Gymnastics, Preschool Gymnastics, Mighty Mites, 31 Stories Discover Me, Creative Theatre and Act Up! Drama Camp and Middle School Summer Hangout.

To register online and for a complete schedule of summer camps and programs, visit Activenet or call 770-206-2035 for additional information.

When: Camps will occur between May 31, 2011 and August 26, 2011. Each camp has a different schedule.

Where: Camps will take place at Hammond Park Gymnastics Center, Hitson Memorial Activities Center, Lake Forest Elementary School, Ison Springs Elementary School, Sandy Springs Middle School

Who: Classes for boys and girls ages four-14

Price: $45 and Up

Possibly Related Posts:

• Friends of Sandy Springs Awarded the Sticks for Kids Excellence Award
• Call for Entries for the Sandy Springs Playable Art Park
• New Gymnastics Duo Coming to Sandy Springs
• Sandy Springs Commemorates Arbor Day by Planting Trees
• Kicks For Causes Charity Kickball Tournament

Sandy Springs Commemorates Arbor Day by Planting Trees

Arbor Day is probably a holiday that passes you by without you even realizing it. In fact, the holiday falls on the third Friday in February every year. For those of you who didn’t even realize February 18th was Arbor Day, you can rest easy because the City of Sandy Springs celebrated for you in the most ideal way to honor the holiday – planting trees. On Friday, February 18, 2011, at 11:30 a.m., the city held a special tree planting ceremony at the corner of Sandy Springs Circle and Cliftwood Drive

Council members planted a total of eight White Oaks, which are shade trees and will increase the tree canopy in the City. Shade trees provide a great environment for growing other plants or just relaxing. There’s no doubt that these eight trees will be great for Sandy Springs’ environment, especially at this intersection so close to the school.

The event was held in conjunction with Trees Sandy Springs, a community initiative that is funded by private donations. Trees Sandy Springs is committed to watering and mulching the trees throughout their early years so the City doesn’t have to take on this expense.

This celebration is just one more example of how city officials do whatever they can to make the city a great place to live. Happy Arbor Day!

Possibly Related Posts:

• Improvements to Roswell Road Bridge Public Open House
• Public Meeting for the Northridge/GA 400 Project
• Call for Entries for the 2012 Sandy Springs Humanitarian Award
• Chattahoochee River Bridge Enhancements
• Town Hall Meeting about Abernathy/Johnson Ferry Intersection

Kicks For Causes Charity Kickball Tournament

February 26, 2011
9:00 am	to	7:00 pm

Here’s a friendly reminder about registration Kicks For Causes Charity Kickball Tournament on February 26, 2011 at Atlanta’s Silverback Stadium. It will benefit Caring for Causes, a nonprofit organization supporting local charities, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the winner’s will pick a charity of their choice!

The tournament is double elimination and will be held at Atlanta Silverbacks Stadium. The tournament will be day long beginning at 9am-7pm, with spots for 64 teams this year. The brackets will be divided into two divisions: Competitive and For The Cause. Registration fee is $250 per team. Registration ends February 15th.

Prizes will be awarded for champions and the winners will direct proceeds to the charity of their choice. There also are plaques given away for top teams plus fun socials awards. Social awards include best 80’s costumes, most money raised per team, most spirited, traveled furthest distance, and much more.

Pick a Team, Pick a Charity, and Register Today!

Please contact kicksforacause@gmail.com or (678) 523-3734 (Lane Parker) if you have any questions.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Improvements to Roswell Road Bridge Public Open House
• Bring One for the Chipper 2012
• Public Meeting for the Northridge/GA 400 Project
• City to Host Flood Risk Open Houses
• Thanksgiving Cooking Class for Teens!

Overlook Park wins Top Beautification Award

Big congratulations to the City of Sandy Springs and, more specifically, Morgan Falls Overlook Park as it recently received Georgia’s top beautification award in the Community Improvement category by Keep Georgia Beautiful, a part of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The Community Improvement award recognizes efforts to preserve and improve the beauty of a community, and, if you have been to this award-winning park, you know very well it achieves these efforts flawlessly.

There is hardly a community park more deserving of such an honor as Overlook Park. It is the City’s first master-planned and constructed park since its incorporation in 2005, and is situated directly on the Chattahoochee River with a variety of shaded areas and swings to enjoy the waterfront views. In addition to the myriad of green space and walking trails, Overlook Park features innovative playground equipment and a multi-use pavilion with fireplace, horseshoe pits and grills. Despite being open less than six months, Overlook Park has become a community landmark and favorite neighborhood gathering place.

If you have not yet visited Morgan Falls Overlook Park in person, there is not a better time than now. So gather family and friends and spend a joyous day at this amazing community park.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Friends of Sandy Springs Awarded the Sticks for Kids Excellence Award
• Call for Entries for the Sandy Springs Playable Art Park
• New Gymnastics Duo Coming to Sandy Springs
• Registration for Summer Camps Begins Today!
• Sandy Springs Commemorates Arbor Day by Planting Trees

2010 Sandy Springs Festival

September 25, 2010
9:00 am	to	7:00 pm
September 26, 2010
11:00 am	to	5:00 pm

This year’s Sandy Springs Festival will be held September 25-26, 2010. This year’s festival includes the Doug Kessler Lightning 5K/10K race, an artist’s market, business and civic expo, children’s park, Porsche North America’s Collector Car Show, Kiwanis Pet Parade, heritage crafters, live entertainment, food court, Whole Foods Heritage Homegrown Market, Saint Joseph’s Hospital health and wellness area and more.

The Sandy Springs Festival is proud to be a pet-friendly Festival!

The Sandy Springs Festival is a fundraiser for Heritage Sandy Springs, a non-profit organization dedicated to building community through preserving and promoting the historic and cultural identity of Sandy Springs. The City contracts with Heritage Sandy Springs for the operation of the park.

Sandy Springs Festival is held at Heritage Green, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, Ga., next to City Walk and the surrounding area. Festival hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Shuttle service will provided by Cooper-Atlanta Transportation from Century Springs East and West Parking Lots located at the corner of Lake Forrest Drive and Hammond Drive to Sandy Springs Circle throughout the Festival weekend.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for youths aged 6-17 and children 5 and under are free.

For more information, visit the Festival Web Site www.sandyspringsfestival.com, contact the Festival staff at 404-851-1328 or e-mail at info@sandyspringsfestival.com.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Improvements to Roswell Road Bridge Public Open House
• Bring One for the Chipper 2012
• Public Meeting for the Northridge/GA 400 Project
• City to Host Flood Risk Open Houses
• Thanksgiving Cooking Class for Teens!

Palisades River Float in Sandy Springs

August 7, 2010
1:00 pm	to	4:00 pm

Great activity for the kids as summer winds down and back to school kicks in.

Bring your own canoe or kayak and join a ranger for a very leisurely float through the Palisades of the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs.

They will float a three mile section of the river from Powers Island to Paces Mill at US Highway 41. There are three mild class 2 rapids on this stretch of river suitable for beginners with some basic canoeing or kayaking experience. The Palisades has a narrow floodplain and steep ridges rising to over 1,000 feet. The area offers a great diversity of habitats and includes oak-hickory forest, steep north facing slopes, mesic ravine forest, and floodplain forest.

Created by the geologic action of the Brevard Fault, the river, and the effects of weather; this rugged and beautiful section of the river is habitat to an extraordinary array of fauna and flora. They will make several stops along the way including a Chinese bamboo grove, Sandy Point, and Devil`s Stair Step Beach (Diving Rock).

Reservations are required, so please call 678-538-1200 to make your reservation.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Improvements to Roswell Road Bridge Public Open House
• Bring One for the Chipper 2012
• Public Meeting for the Northridge/GA 400 Project
• City to Host Flood Risk Open Houses
• Thanksgiving Cooking Class for Teens!

Third Annual Chattahoochee River Summer Splash

July 31, 2010
9:00 am	to	4:00 pm

With temperature expected to hover near the century mark today, the third annual Summer Splash in Sandy Springs offers a day of cool relief.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Sandy Springs will be the fun and cool spot to hang out today. Paddle and drift past the river`s natural grandeur; witness a great blue heron in flight or the riffles of a river otter swimming. After completing the float enjoy an afternoon of music, food and fun for the entire family at the Powers Island festivities.

Follow the signs to park your vehicle at MEAG Power, 1470 Riveredge Parkway NW located near Powers Island and catch the free shuttle to Morgan Falls Dam to begin your river journey. The first shuttle will leave MEAG Power at 9:00 a.m. Plan on your river journey taking approximately 3 hours, depending on the rivers current and how much time is actually spent paddling!

Upon arrival at Powers Island enjoy the festivities and then catch the shuttle to your vehicle at MEAG Power. The last shuttle to MEAG Power will leave Powers Island at 4 p.m.

Bring your own boat, or rent a kayak, canoe or raft from one of the parks authorized outfitters. They will provide you with a boat, paddles, and U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Make your boat reservations early!

NOTE: Boaters with their own boats please drop off your boat, equipment, and passengers at Morgan Falls Dam first, park at MEAG Power and catch the shuttle.

There is no parking at Morgan Falls Dam!

The last shuttle to leave RiverEdge Center is at noon; after that the only shuttle will be from Powers Island to MEAG Power.

And one last reminder, don’t forget the sunscreen!

Possibly Related Posts:

• Improvements to Roswell Road Bridge Public Open House
• Bring One for the Chipper 2012
• Public Meeting for the Northridge/GA 400 Project
• City to Host Flood Risk Open Houses
• Thanksgiving Cooking Class for Teens!

Next Page »