Age Friendly Tucker: Escaping the Pandemic in Tucker’s Green Space

Dr. Lois Ricci

Travel was down across the board during the COVID pandemic – except in the national parks. While Americans weren’t leaving home much, when they did, they flooded into open spaces, which included everything from public beaches, dog parks, and marinas to national parks. This trend reflects the reaction to our country’s last pandemic. When the Spanish Flu was subsiding in 1920, parks recorded a 63% increase in visitors over the year prior.

Visits to Tucker parks also increased over the past year. “Parks became a refuge for residents of all ages who said it took a pandemic for them to appreciate their own community,” said Vicki Warren, domain lead for Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, one of the Age Friendly City eight domains. “Parks are key to any community. They have a significant impact on everyone. They provide space for residents to interact with each other and meet new people. They’re great for events and for recreational activities, for picnics, concerts, whatever the community feels it needs. Parks are important to healthy living and a major part of city planning.”

“Despite the impact of the pandemic we found ways to give everyone a way to engage and stay safe,” added Rip Robertson, director of parks and recreation for the City of Tucker. “Our parks stayed open, play continued after a short pause, and our pools were open for the summer.” The city installed a new high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system at the Rec Center, to help keep air clean and occupants safe.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and also when we celebrate the third anniversary of Tucker Parks and Recreation. The department has made significant improvements to Tucker parks over these three years. • Six new playgrounds, included a renovation of Peters Park that added playground equipment suitable for all ages • Trails, bridges, boardwalks, docks and overlooks added to other parks • New sports fields, a second municipal pool, four tennis courts and a completely renovated gymnasium • New athletic programs include pickleball, golf, basketball, baseball and a tennis program

Parks provide space for sports, hiking trails and other amenities designed to get people active. Parks benefit everyone in the community. Take time to visit your parks. You’ll be glad you did!

Tucker parks

Fitzgerald Park - 4877 Lawrenceville Highway Three multipurpose fields, football stadium, one baseball field, and two softball fields Henderson Park - 2801 Henderson Road (West), 4000 Henderson Park Road (East) 130 acres, walking trails, soccer fields, tennis courts, pavilions, two playgrounds, lake with fishing, community garden, restrooms Johns Homestead - 3071 Lawrenceville Highway Historic Johns Homestead House, walking trails, lake with fishing Kelly Cofer Park - 4259 N. Park Drive Walking trails, pool, baseball fields, pavilions, playground, pollinator garden, lake with fishing Montreal Park - 1341 Montreal Road Walking trails, playground, pavilion, open play space Peters Park - 1832 Clark Drive Walking track, playground, pavilion, basketball court Probst Park - 5623 Hugh Howell Road Walking trails Rosenfeld Park - 2088 Glacier Drive Pool, tennis courts and picnic pavilion with lights and restrooms Smoke Rise Crossing - 1596 Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road Walking trails Smoke Rise - Lord Park – 5525 Smoke Rise Drive Undeveloped with walking trails Tucker Nature Preserve - 4440 Lawrenceville Highway Walking trails, picnic area, parking

Dr. Lois Ricci is a longtime resident of Tucker, where she chairs the Tucker Civic Association Lifelong Community Committee. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class. Ricci also serves as an official representative for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), co-facilitator for the Rosalyn Carter CareNet, and on the board of the Atlanta Regional Commission Advisory Committee on Aging.