GRPA Agency of Year Award Nomination Form Worksheet

  1. New or outstanding programs and/or services offered 09/01/12-08/30/13:

2013 was a very eventful and busy year for Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency. In addition to the many capital projects listed below, several new and outstanding programs filled our parks and facilities throughout the year.

Athletically, the year began with the Cherokee Youth Basketball program. From November through March, more than 3,200 kids, grades 1st through 12th, played more than 2,000 games in 22 gyms throughout the county. The league culminated with several thousand people attending the annual championship weekend at Cherokee High School. In addition to the champions on the court, CRPA recognized our champions in the classroom as well. Any player with all A’s was recognized as an Academic All-Star.

In July, Hobgood and Twin Creeks played host to the Atlanta Legacy Showcase, the 3rd largest showcase tournament in the nation. More than 220 teams from around the country showed off their skills to college coaches and recruiters from around the nation over the four days at the parks.

August 7th was proclaimed Youth Sports Champions Day in Cherokee County in recognition of all the youth athletes and coaches that participate in recreational sports throughout the county. They were represented at the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting by teams and athletes that won state or national titles during the year including four Dizzy Dean baseball teams, one ASA softball team, two Georgia Soccer teams and two GRPA swimmers.

More than 1,500 kids participated in a variety of camps throughout the summer including Adventures Express, KAOS Camp (therapeutic camp); sports camps like lacrosse, soccer and softball; Teen Camp, Waterlogged Camp and Fishing Camps.

With the opening of the Cherokee County Aquatic Center in May, a new dimension of aquatic recreation is available to our citizens. More than 2,000 people visited the leisure pool over the Grand Opening weekend. Eighty-five swimmers competed in the inaugural CCAC Pelicans summer swim team.

  1. Major accomplishments other than the programs and/or services during the period of 09/01/12-08/30/13:

Through the current capital improvement program funded by the Parks Bond and SPLOST funds, CRPA made tremendous strides by improving our existing parks and opening new facilities in 2013. Most notably, we completed construction on the new $16 million Cherokee County Aquatic Center in May. The ribbon was cut and the much anticipated facility officially opened on May 9th. Complete with an indoor 50 meter competition pool, indoor 25 yard program pool and an outdoor “water-park” style leisure pool, this facility offers a full range of aquatic leisure opportunities including competitive swimming, recreational swimming and instructional programming. In the first four months of operations, daily admissions to the outdoor pool, swim lessons, aqua aerobics and swim team practices have accounted for more than 80,000 visits to the facility.

In June, CRPA completed the $820,000 expansion and renovation of the Blanket’s Creek Bike Trails. Withnearly15 miles of trails, 90,000riders from around the metro area and the southeast visit the park each year making this a very popular destination in the mountain biking world. The parking lot was tripled in size. New pavilions and restroom facilities were added where none existed before. A new bike wash station adds to the riders’ experience at the park. An event lawn was added where the local SORBA (Southern Off Road Bicycle Association) chapter can host races and special events.

Construction began on other capital projects in 2013 as well. Kenney Askew Park is being expanded with the addition of 5 new baseball fields, batting cages and the supporting concessions/restroom building and parking. Scheduled for completion in the spring of 2014, these fields will become the new home for Canton Baseball, a local volunteer-run Dizzy Dean affiliate. Renovations are also underway at the Hobgood Park youth baseball fields and Waleska Park. These projects, once complete in the spring of 2014, will provide much needed improvements for two more volunteer-run baseball groups in the county.

  1. Agency Information (Please submit all Agency information):
  1. Title

Director

  1. Person Submitting Nomination

Bryan Reynolds

  1. Agency Name

Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency

  1. Street Address

7545 Main Street Building 200

  1. City

Woodstock

  1. Zip Code

30188

  1. Phone Number

770-924-7768

  1. Program Services Offered (Please provide all Information pertaining to Agency Programs.):
  2. Number of Youth Programs Provided (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

CRPA offers at least fourteen different youth programs throughout the year in athletics, instructional programming and camps. Our athletic programs include Cherokee Youth Softball for ages 4 – 16, Cherokee Youth Basketball (grades 1 – 12) and various sports camps. Our instructional programming includes martial arts, dance, gymnastics and cheer. In addition to our sports camps, we offer a traditional summer camp plus specialty camps with themes like fishing, waterlogged and teen adventures.

  1. Number of Adult Programs Offered (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

CRPA offers four adult athletic programs; something for the repressed athlete in all of us. We offer softball, flag football, kickball and basketball. There are men’s, women’s and co-ed leagues and each sport is available in two separate seasons.

  1. Number of Senior Programs Offered (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

CRPA offers three programs or our older citizens. We have a very active senior travel club that takes 2 day trips each month plus 3 overnight trips each year. Some of their trips this year included the Fernbank museum, Callaway Gardens and a mystery trip to Chattanooga. We also offer fitness programs designed specifically for our older patrons, Gentle Joints (aerobics) and Never Roam Alone (walking club).

  1. Number of Therapeutic Programs Offered (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

CRPA offers four programs for those with special needs. Our KAOS camp offers an environment designed for campers with special needs. Leisure Spectrum and Leisure Roamers offers participants outings and short excursions on weekday afternoons and evenings. Special Pops Tennis offers our participants the chance to exercise while learning a lifetime sport.

  1. Number of Aquatic Programs Offered (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

Through the new Cherokee County Aquatic Center, CRPA offers 4 aquatic programs. Lifeguard Training is available. The CCAC Pelicans are a summer swim team for children ages 6-18. We offer 12 different levels of swim lessons beginning with parent/child classes through adults. Our aqua aerobics offer five different varieties including boot camp, zumba, aerobics, deep water aerobics and water walking.

  1. Number of Teen/Cultural Arts Programs Offered (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

CRPA offers our Teen Adventures camp for teens 13-15. We also teach American Red Cross Babysitting courses. Music Together uses songs, dances and props to teach music to children ages birth to 5.

  1. Number of Special Events or Other Programs Offered (Please provide additional information and/or Explanation)

CRPA offers six special events throughout the year, beginning with our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet each January. In partnership with our local Fire and Sheriff’s departments, CRPA organizes the annual Guns & Hoses 5K. Each spring we host a Touch A Truck at our Recreation Center, free to the public. As the holidays approach, we offer Canes & Cocoa, Letters from Santa and Santa’s Calling.

  1. Facilities (Please provide all Facility information that pertains to your Agency):
  2. How many other recreational providers are in your city/county (i.e. YMCA's)?

1 – Cherokee County YMCA

  1. How many other parks and recreation agencies are in your city/county?

1 – City of Woodstock

  1. Additional Information and/or Explanation

CRPA manages 22 parks and facilities throughout Cherokee County. Included are 3 indoor facilities and 19 parks that range in size from 5 acres to over 750 acres. The amenities featured in these parks include 32 baseball/softball fields, 24 multi-purpose fields, 20 tennis courts, 17 playgrounds, over 34 miles of trails, 33 pavilions and picnic areas, 2 boat ramps, and more.

Our staff performs all the routine, preventative and corrective maintenance needed to provide safe and attractive parks and facilities to our citizens including lawn care, athletic field maintenance, litter control, custodial duties, etc.

  1. Total of Acres Maintained

2,569 Acres

  1. Total Number of Facilities and Parks Maintained

22

  1. Staffing Information (Please submit the total number for each category):
  2. Total of full time staff

31

  1. Total number of part time and Seasonal Staff

18 Year-Round PT Staff & 172 Seasonal Positions

  1. Number of Staff that hold certifications (CPRP, APRP, CYSA, CPO, CPSI, AFO)

9

  1. Number of parks staffin your department

17

  1. Number of Staff in leadership positions of professional organizations

4

  1. Please list staff in other areas of programming (Facilities, Cultural Arts, etc.)

0

  1. Number of GRPA Members within your agency

13

  1. Number of Staff active on GRPA Committees

3

  1. Please list number of staff in other programs in the following divisions (Aquatics, Athletics, Therapeutics, Seniors, etc.)

11 (Aquatics – 3, Athletics – 5, Other Programs including Therapeutic, Seniors, Etc. – 3)

  1. Please list staff in your agency in Administration/Management

3

  1. Financial Information (Please provide all Financial information that pertains to your Agency):
  2. Percent of Budget from taxes/grants/other sources

23% from Beer & Wine Excise Taxes; 20% from County General Fund (Property Taxes); 2% Miscellaneous (Contributions; Donations, Etc.)

  1. Percent of Budget from Fees/Charges

55%

  1. Amount of Budget used for Marketing/Public Relations

$37,000

  1. Amount for Capital Projects/Improvements

Parks Bond - $18.7 Million (Part of $90 Million General Obligation Bond approved by Cherokee County voters in 2008 funded through property taxes.)

SPLOST - $1.2 Million

  1. Professional Association Fees

$2,000

  1. Total Operating Budget

$3,733,030

  1. Amount for Professional Development/Education

$10,000