Habersham Co. Parks and Rec Director gives Year in Review

The Habersham County Parks and Recreation is staying busy with youth sports, facilities rentals, and fitness and pool memberships. Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Whitmire said the new basketball program for ages 3 and 4 wrapped up Nov. 2, with 40 children participating in the two sessions. Basketball for ages 5 and 6 wrapped up Dec. 7 with eight teams and 72 children participating. Boys’ and girls’ basketball for ages 7 t0 14 has started with practices scheduled through Christmas break and games beginning on Jan. 2. There are 10 girls’ teams and 22 boys’ teams. Spring sports registration opens Jan. 1 and includes ages 3-4 T-ball, 5-6 coach pitch, 7-14 baseball and softball, track and field, and girls’ volleyball. Looking back at 2023, Habersham County Parks and Recreation facilities were rented 31 of 52 available weekends, while the large meeting room (A and B) at the Habersham County Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center was rented 135 days for 1,200 hours of rentals. The aquatic center as a whole saw 2,505 hours of programmed operation. That means 63% of the 3,980 total operation hours of programmable time was utilized in 2023. Looking ahead to 2024, Habersham County Parks and Recreation already has received 58 facilities reservations for 2,874 hours over 129 days. During 2023, pool visits rose from 130 in March and 337 in April to 658 in May, 623 in June, 623 in July, 695 in August, 730 in September, dropped to 485 in October and 544 in November due to lap pool issues. December attendance is beginning to recover, with swim teams currently on Christmas break. High school swim season wraps up on Jan. 6 and Jan. 12. Also, during 2023, fitness center visits rose from 219 in March and 497 in April to 1,101 in May, 1,016 in June, 1,159 in July, 1,311 in August, 1,204 in September, 1,186 in October, and 1,186 in November. Habersham County Parks and Recreation staff have sold 35 new annual memberships since Dec. 1, with annual memberships being offered at half-price through the end of December. On Saturday, Dec. 16, Parks and Recreation hosted Pancakes with Santa and served around 130 people. Gymnastics completed its first-ever Winter Showcase over the weekend of Dec. 16, with 50 participants pre-registered. Santa Claus also made an appearance there for photos with the children. Fifteen gymnasts are competing in team events and one All-Star Cheer squad has placed in the top 10 and top 5 of their first meets this season. December gymnastics classes are filled to 63% of capacity, and the program is holding a Winter Day Camp during Christmas break. For more information about Habersham County Parks and Recreation programs, visit www.habershamrecreation.com or call 706-839-0234. Habersham County Parks and Recreation is located at 120 Paul Franklin Road, Clarkesville.