RECREATION & PARKS... MORE THAN A GAME!

from Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

NEWCOMER INFORMATION & IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

As more people choose Cherokee County, Cherokee Recreation and Parks continues to expand to meet the various recreation needs of our community. No matter your passion, Cherokee Recreation and Parks hopes to have something that you can participate in, whether it is playing a pick-up game with friends, hiking a beautiful trail, or anything in between.

At the beginning of 2023, Cherokee Recreation and Parks is expected to open the doors to the new 33,000-squarefoot, L.B. “Buzz” Ahrens Recreation Center. Becoming the cornerstone at Cherokee Veterans Park, the new facility will have two full-sized basketball courts, a cardio fitness area, multiple classrooms, a dance studio, a large banquet hall, and a rock-climbing wall. In the summer of 2022, Cherokee Recreation and Parks opened the newly renovated Hickory Flat Gym. Originally built circa 1950, renovations have been made to the interior and exterior while still keeping its unique look and historic charm. This renovated facility has a gymnasium, concession area, a stage, and office space. Cherokee Recreation and Parks is eager to show these two state-of-the-art facilities to the citizens of Cherokee County through programming and rentals.

Cherokee Recreation and Parks is also increasing its green footprint throughout the county by adding more parks both in the southwest and northeast portions of the county. In the southwest area, concept plans include adding up to three new parks with features such as additional dog parks, canopy walks, splash pads, greenways, and a new recreation center. In the northeast plan, with a little more than 660 additional acres over three properties, the Recreation and Parks team is looking to add amenities such as horseback riding, biking, canoeing/kayaking, camping, and more for the families of Cherokee County.

Aside from passive opportunities in the parks, there are also numerous programs for individual and family participation. Cherokee Recreation and Parks offers the opportunity to participate in youth sports such as Cherokee Youth Basketball, Cherokee Youth Lacrosse, Cherokee Youth Softball, or Cherokee Youth Girls Flag Football, and adult sports such as basketball, softball, kickball, and flag football. Aquatic programs housed at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center are offered as well, such as competition swim team and swim lessons. During the duration of the year, there are numerous and unique specialty summer camps and school break camp opportunities such as Adventures Express Day Camp,

For more information about recreational opportunities throughout Cherokee County, visit PlayCherokee.org or call 770.924.7768.

Waterlogged Camp, True Friends Camp, Fishing Camp, Outdoor Adventure Camp, and more.

At Cherokee Recreation and Parks, the vision is to continue to make Cherokee County a better place to live, work, and play. The goal is to not only meet your recreation expectations, but exceed them. The future is bright and has a lot of promise, and we look forward to recreating with you. We hope you will continue to #PlayCherokee. •

Cherokee Recreation and Parks was named as the 2021 Agency of the Year in the category for counties with populations over 150,000 by the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association.