Guest blog post by Tina Fleming – Department Director of the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services
The final months of Gwinnett County’s yearlong Bicentennial Celebration this fall. You’ll find a variety of programs, events, and activities for all ages.
Gwinnett Parks and Recreation has restored the farm buildings to show what 1930s life was like. Situated on 134 acres, the park houses a furnished farmhouse, a rustic barn, a blacksmith shed, carriage house, tenant house, three miles of trails, a pavilion and restrooms.
There are two entrances to McDaniel Farm Park. The Historic Entrance leads to the house and barn and is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Park Entrance, open from sunrise until sunset unless otherwise posted, provides access to a farm-themed playground, dog park, a rustic pavilion with grill and paved and unpaved trails that connect to the historic side of the park.
Farmtastic Fridays are open to all ages every week from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The focus is on the science and history that make McDaniel Farm unique. Only $5 per person!
Make plans now to bring your family to the Harvest Homecoming on Saturday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, crafts, farm tours and demonstrations! This event is free for all ages.
A Fall Night Hike will explore the park trails under a full moon on Saturday, November 17 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This event is for children ages 8 and up for $5 per person. Pre-register by November 15.
We’ll welcome the holidays with our annual Holiday Candlelight Tours on Fridays and Saturdays from November 30 through December from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Costumed guides will take guests back in time to discover historic holiday traditions. The event is for all ages and is $5 per person. Pre-registration is required.
Our 67-acre Shorty Howell Park at 2750 Pleasant Hill Road features seven lighted ball fields, a lighted walking track and a football/multi-purpose field. Shorty Howell Park is the proud home of the Duluth Baseball and Softball Association and the Duluth Youth Athletic Association, which offers football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, basketball and cheerleading.
The Activity Building offers Dance Fitness on Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting October 25. Dance Fitness, for ages 15 and up, combines hip hop, jazz, reggae, and salsa to strengthen and tone your body while learning innovative dance routines.
Hip Hop for Kids and Teens offers drop-in classes for $10 on Thursdays. Kids age 6 to 11 are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and age 11 to 17 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Seniors 50 and up gather at the Activity Building for the Hi-Steppers Senior Club on the first Thursday each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a dish to share and enjoy socializing.
For a complete list of all Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation activities or to register for programs, visit www.gwinnettparks.com.
I hope to see you in our parks for a lifetime of discovery!
About Fleming
Tina Fleming was appointed director of the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services in 2016. Employed with Gwinnett County Community Services since 2001, Tina has also served as the Division Director of Parks and Recreation Operations and held other management roles in that division. Her areas of responsibility includes Parks and Recreation, Health and Human Services, UGA Extension, Animal Welfare and Enforcement, Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, Voter Registrations and Elections, and she is liaison with several community service organizations. Her more than 20 years of public service experience includes work with local communities in Georgia.