30
2020-21 FYI
Where to Play
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ew and longtime residents of Elmore County enjoy a wide variety of activities offered in the area. From natural wonders to golf courses and the thrill of a Vegas-style casino, there really is no shortage of ways to get out and have fun. Simply put, Elmore County offers fun attractions that fit nearly every taste and lifestyle. STORY BY DANIEL DYE PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & MARLA RUSKIN
AWF
The Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) is the oldest and largest nonprofit conservation organization in Alabama. The AWF was established by sportsmen in 1935 to promote the conservation and wise use of state wildlife and natural resources and to ensure a high quality of life for future generations of Alabamians. The mission of the organization is to promote the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources, as a basis for the social and economic prosperity of present and future generations, stewardship of wildlife, forests, fish, soils, water and air. The mission statement can be seen in action at AWF headquarters located at Lanark in Millbrook. Lanark contains five distinct destinations — its staff offices, Historic Lanark, Lanark
Pavilion, Alabama Nature Center and the NaturePlex. The 350-acre property is used for training programs, nature hikes and numerous educational opportunities and events geared primarily toward children. The NaturePlex serves as AWF’s 23,000 square-foot educational facility and welcome center. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and includes a 120-seat auditorium, a classroom with lab, a community room for meetings, a gift shop, offices for staff and Discovery Hall. Discovery Hall is a walk-through educational tour of Alabama’s natural history and its four physiographic regions. Spotlighted are the MobileTensaw River Delta, the state’s national forests, many of Alabama’s rivers and waterways, longleaf pine forests, prairies and much more. There are live animals indigenous to Alabama Wind Creek Casino features more than 2,500 Class II electronic bingo machines
on exhibit and a walk-in apiary where visitors learn about the importance of bees and fellow pollinators. For those who love angling, the facility schedules days for fishing. Families have the chance to catch catfish and bream. The ponds are catchand-release only. If outdoors summer camps are of interest to your children, look no further than Expedition Lanark. The weeklong camps are held seasonally during weekday daytime hours and are geared toward children from the ages of 5 to 15. Camp programs cover a wide range of outdoor activities including, but not limited to, art, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and much more. AWF is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. For a complete list of the organization’s educational and event offerings, visit alabamawildlife.org or call 334-285-4550.
YMCA
Grandview YMCA was founded in the 1920s on 65 acres of land as a summer camp exclusively for girls. Today, it serves thousands of kids in the River Region, along with offering amenities to more than 1,000 adult members. Step outside and enjoy the 190 acres of picnic areas, walking trails, a playground, athletic fields and its own lake. Bring your fishing gear or enjoy the use of funyaks (sit-on-top kayaks), canoes and pedal boats on member days at the lake. The facility broke ground in November 2019 on a new wellness space. The end result will create a new childcare center, add family changing areas and convert the current wellness space into a brand new exercise facility. The multi-use venue has undergone significant changes over the last six years. The commercial kitchen was
