Local News

High school students throughout the county participated in the film festival.

Student Film Fest Names Winners

Sequoyah High School freshman Ava Roberts and her team took Best in Show at the April Cherokee Student Film Festival, for their entry, “Secret Agent Annie Mills.”

“Having grown up doing on-camera acting, I was familiar with the set,” Roberts said. “When I heard about the Cherokee Student Film Festival, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get behind the camera.”

The ninth-grader, who also attended the Cherokee Student Film Summit earlier this year, said both opportunities helped shape her skills and interest in working behind the camera. “I know much more about how challenging it is to run a set,” she said. “I have so much respect for directors and producers, and how much organization it takes to get everything together. It’s really important to communicate well.”

The festival was presented by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), in partnership with the Cherokee County School District’s (CCSD) audio/video technology and film educators. The winners were announced at this year’s festival, held at Sequoyah High School’s Skip Pope Stadium.

“Working alongside the CCSD to prepare students for successful careers in film has led to moviemaking magic,” COED President Misti Martin said. “Events like these are a powerful catalyst for students to launch successful careers within the film industry, and make lifelong connections.”

Student films were screened on the Jumbotron as 175 audience members cheered on 19 groups of student filmmakers from across the county.

To learn more about film in Cherokee, visit cherokeega.org/film-media.

Best of Show

“Secret Agent Annie Mills” Sequoyah High Created by Justin Clark, Ava Roberts, Hailey Thompson and Lauren Turnage

Runner Up

“Only…” Creekview High Created by Jackson Estapa, Chloe Feibus, Abram Midyette and Maxton Williams

Third Place

“Lucid Dream” Cherokee High Created by Hunter Schwartz, Hunter Tadin, Felisa Vasquez and Riley Watkins

Audience Choice Award (Qualifying Entry)

“Unconscious” Sequoyah High Created by Andrew Kennedy, Tyler Sandt and Gabe Squillace

Audience Choice Award (Participating Entry)

“I Miss You” Sequoyah High Created by Donovan Victorino, Robyn Walker and Ben Willison

Best Use of Prop

“Wanna Hear a Scary Story” Etowah High Created by Sophia Berry, Marissa Migneco and Kaili Phillips

Best Cinematography

“Secret Agent Annie Mills” Sequoyah High Created by Justin Clark, Ava Roberts, Hailey Thompson and Lauren Turnage

Best Sound Quality

“Lucid Dream” Cherokee High Created by Hunter Schwartz, Hunter Tadin, Felisa Vasquez and Riley Watkins

Best Use of Line

“Security Breach” Woodstock High Created by Taylor Collins, Alex Manser, Riley McCall and Brody Yot

Cherokee County

Cherokee County Parks

Countless Ways to Get Out and Play

If you can’t get out of town this summer, don’t worry! You can get out of the house and enjoy all of the amenities offered by Cherokee Recreation and Parks. Check out the “coming soon” section on Page 26 for more details on parks and recreation facilities in the works, and flip to Page 27 for Harry Johnston’s most recent Cherokee Recreation and Parks update.

Badger Creek Park The park includes 14 soccer fields of various sizes and restrooms. It is home to Cherokee Impact (www.csaimpact.com).

Barnett Park The 25-acre park includes baseball/ softball diamonds, a playground, picnic areas, restrooms and walking trails along Downing Creek.

Blankets Creek Bike Trails Among the most popular mountain bike trails in the U.S., the 15 miles of volunteer-maintained trails are for beginners to advanced riders. Amenities at the trailhead include parking, pavilions and restrooms. Developed by a partnership between Cherokee County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Allatoona Lake) and SORBA Woodstock.

Cherokee County Aquatic Center The state-of-the-art, full-service aquatics facility, with two indoor pools and one outdoor pool, offers instructional, fitness, therapeutic, competitive and recreational swimming opportunities. The Oasis, the outdoor leisure pool, includes a water playground, two waterslides, play features, beach entry, pavilions, locker rooms and more. Cherokee Mills Park Located near Little River, this park offers access to Allatoona Lake with three boat ramps and a boat dock. A day-use fee applies for the boat ramp ($5), or you can purchase a season pass at the recreation center in Woodstock.

Cherokee Veterans Park Located on 149 acres in northeast Cherokee County, this is one of the largest parks in the county’s park system. Amenities include athletic fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a playground, skate park, walking trails, a large open meadow and restrooms.

Cline Park This 12-acre park includes tennis courts, a wooded walking trail, playground and a seasonal splash pad.

Dwight Terry Park A 30-acre park with baseball/softball diamonds, a playground, restrooms and a paved walking track. It is home to the Dwight Terry Baseball youth baseball program.

Field’s Landing Park Situated on the north side of Allatoona Lake, this park has spectacular views of the lake, along with a boat ramp, fishing dock, playground, restrooms and several picnic areas and pavilions. A day-use fee applies for the boat ramp ($5), or you can purchase a season pass at the recreation center in Woodstock.

Garland Mountain Horse and Hiking Trails The 19.7 miles of horse and hiking trails wind their way through 940plus wooded acres in northwest Cherokee County. The trailhead has trailer parking, a pavilion, restrooms and more. Hickory Trails Park Located in Hickory Flat, the park, on 24 pastoral and wooded acres, offers a walking trail. The trailhead is served by a gravel parking lot, two pavilions and restrooms.

Hobgood Park This 60-acre park remains one of the most active and heavily used parks in Cherokee County. In addition to youth baseball and adult softball leagues, it hosts multiple softball/baseball tournaments every year. The walking track, playground and pavilions also are heavily used. To reserve a pavilion, call 770-924-7768. For information about tennis programs or to reserve a court, visit www.cherokeetenniscenter.com.

JJ Biello Park Spread across 470 acres along Rubes Creek and Little River, the park includes tennis, youth softball, youth football, soccer and lacrosse, as well as a large pavilion and playground.

Kenney Askew Memorial Park One of the oldest parks in the Cherokee County system, Kenney Askew Park was expanded to include the Richard Mauldin Sports Complex. Five new fields opened in fall 2015, and are home to Canton Baseball.

Lewis Park Nestled in 57 acres of wooded land south of Allatoona Lake, this park has walking trails that wind along an unnamed tributary of the Little River, a playground, pavilions and restrooms. Turn to Page 34 to read more about Lewis Park and learn where Bells Ferry Road got its name.

Patriots Park The 33-acre park includes two natural grass baseball/softball diamonds, two fenced off-leash dog areas, a fully accessible and inclusive playground, a paved walking path, a large open meadow, picnic pavilion, restrooms and an artificial turf adaptive-use baseball/softball diamond. Dubbed Freedom Field, the adaptive-use field is designed for the inclusive use of athletes of all abilities.

Recreation Center Offices and most of the indoor programming offered are located here. Amenities include a gymnasium, community room, aerobics room, stage, playground, outdoor in-line hockey rink and restrooms.

Riverchase Park Riverchase is a small neighborhood park in southeast Cherokee. It includes a playground and pavilion that is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sequoyah Park Sequoyah Park offers an athletic field, baseball/softball diamonds, playground, pavilion, restrooms, walking trail and disc golf.

Union Hill Community Center Located in Union Hill, this historic building has been a school and a church, and now serves as a community center with a banquet hall, warming kitchen, playground and restrooms. Available for weddings and parties; call 770-924-7768 for reservations.

Waleska Park Across the street from Reinhardt University, the park has three youth baseball/softball diamonds and a playground.

Weatherby Park Located in Clayton, the park has an athletic field, three baseball/softball diamonds and a pavilion, all available for rent. Also available is a playground, restrooms and a walking track.

Now Open!

The Cherokee County UGA Extension’s Backyard Agricultural Education Station at Cherokee Veterans Park is adjacent to park maintenance buildings. The station includes 10 corrugated metal raised plant beds, fencing, an irrigation system and a tool shed. It will serve as an outdoor learning space where visitors can attend classes and learn horticultural techniques from extension agents and trained volunteers. For information on classes, visit cherokeemastergardeners.com.

Coming Soon!

Towne Lake Multiuse Trail

The first of four phases to install an 8-foot multiuse trail on Towne Lake Parkway from Towne Lake Hills South to Bells Ferry Road was estimated to be completed by May 30. The first phase extends from Towne Lake Hills South to Towne Lake Hills West.

SW Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan

This plan was adopted to add three new parks in southwest Cherokee, along with several miles of trails. The parks will include other features, such as playgrounds, athletic fields, and unique components like a dog park, splash pad, canopy walk, event lawn and recreation center. https://tsw.mysocialpinpoint.com/sw-cc-parks-trails-plan.

NE Cherokee County Parks Plan

Encompassing several recently-acquired parcels, this plan includes Cochran Park, which has 102 acres of potential active and passive recreational opportunities. Additionally, a tract at Long Swamp Creek is rich in Native American history, and a 538-acre parcel on Yellow Creek Road will be dedicated to hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing/ kayaking and more. https://tsw.mysocialpinpoint.com/ne-cc-parks-plan.

Hickory Flat Gym

4835 Hickory Road, Canton. The Hickory Flat Elementary Gym was built in 1950 with volunteers and an on-site sawmill. While the interior will keep its unique look, the utilities and exterior will get a new facelift, but with some historic charm. The recreation and community center renovation project is estimated to be completed this month.

The Buzz

Construction is underway for The LB “Buzz” Ahrens Recreation Center, estimated to be completed in late 2022 or January 2023. It will be a 33,000-square-foot facility with two basketball courts, a cardio/fitness area, multiple classrooms, a dance studio, a large banquet hall with a catering kitchen and a rock-climbing wall in the main atrium.