July Marks Park and Recreation Month

Happy Park and Recreation Month, Gwinnett! Launched in 1985 by the National Recreation and Park Association and celebrated each July since, this month is intended to “promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — that maintain our country’s local, state and community parks.” This year’s theme for Park and Recreation Month is “Where Community Grows,” — celebrating the vital role parks and P&R professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services, and fostering the growth of our communities.

Here at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B), we are BIG FANS of Gwinnett County’s Parks & Recreation Department. In 2022, this award-winning department joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association. It was also named State Agency of the Year by The Georgia Recreation & Park Association. Over the course of the year, the hard-working team members of our Parks Department: 

• Completed 31,833 work orders
• Completed 308,432SF of sports fields renovations
• Laser graded 311,500SF of sports fields
• Maintained 8,278 out of 11,714 total acres
• Completed 912 inspections of 80 playgrounds
• Opened 17 field equity sports fields to public access

Last year, our park system engaged 32,866 athletes, 4,765 campers, 278,502 participants, and 1,390 volunteers. Its robust aquatics program served 341,687 swimmers and gave 50,220 swim lessons.

Our Favorite Parks

We asked GC&B team members to share their favorite parks in our vast system and what they love about them. If you haven’t found your favorite park yet, we encourage you to visit one of these!

Schelly Marlatt – Little Mulberry Park in Dacula and Bogan Park in Buford

“It’s too hard to narrow it down to just one, so I have TWO favorite parks. The first is Little Mulberry Park at the Hog Mountain Road entrance. This park is one of my favorites because it’s less than a mile from my home and features the Karina Miller Nature Preserve, finished and unfinished trails where you can spot all kinds of wildlife friends at any given time. In addition, the view of the lake is amazing, and I love seeing families fishing, having family picnics, or playing on the playground. I love how the Equestrian Entrance is viewable when walking the paved trails, and viewing the beautiful horses is not something one can see at any park.

The other is Bogan Park in Buford – I’ve spent countless hours at that park watching Parker play baseball. At the young age of just four years old, he found his love for the sport. Our family spent six years (Spring and Fall) at that park, making incredible memories and watching Parker work on his craft before he joined a travel ball team. I was the Team Mom, and his dad was the Head Coach. Such great memories!”

Kim Davis – Little Mulberry Park in Dacula

“Little Mulberry Park is a great place for its walking, running, and horseback riding trails. It is well maintained and has a pavilion, reservoir trail, and frisbee golf, with lots of wildlife. It also has a beautiful paved serene walk around a large pond, great wood trails with some steep hills to get your heart pumping, and a fun playground for the kiddos!!”

Carmita Rivera – Jones Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners

“I love Jones Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners! Nestled along the Chattahoochee River bank, Jones Bridge is the heartbeat of the Gwinnett County community. It’s a great destination for getting outdoors and enjoying nature. It’s also a fantastic place to get some exercise and spend time with family and friends. There is always a wonderful sense of community at this park. You will also see families fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. There are also plenty of trails for hiking and biking. Jones Bridge Park makes for a great day to enjoy.”

Brenda McDaniel – Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville

“My favorite park is Tribble Mill in Lawrenceville. The park has a paved four-mile path and a dirt path perfect for walking the dogs. The lake is beautiful and makes for a peaceful kayaking or fishing experience. There is even an area where kids (and grownups) can slide down the rocks.”

Chris Dilworth – Rabbit Hill Park in Dacula

“We are thankful for all of our Gwinnett County Parks, but Rabbit Hill is my family’s favorite, hands down! It is less than a mile from our home, and my family has spent countless years in that beautiful park as my sons played baseball, soccer, and now lacrosse there! I love the walking trails and have fond memories of my ‘Not-so-little-anymore’ guys learning to ride their bikes in the parking lot and on the trail around the pond. We’ve used the pavilions for Scouts, various parties and sports banquets, and just for a fun lunch to escape the sun. And the playground. IT IS THE BEST! My guys are grown now but used to beg to go to the playground and, of course, play in the man-made stream right next to it. I always knew that a trip to the playground called for a towel and dry socks! The awesome volleyball courts were not there at the time, or my sons would surely have been covered in sand, as well.”

To learn more about all of the AWESOME parks that make up the Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation Department, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/communityservices/parksandrecreation.