Our parks bring residents and visitors from all walks of life together to get active, explore nature, celebrate the arts, create memories, and connect with their neighbors. And our amazing staff and volunteers are committed to maintaining the grounds, managing the facilities, and developing programming.
It’s because of this commitment that our parks and recreation facilities have once again drawn national recognition. This most recent honor came in the form of accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, known as CAPRA, and the National Recreation and Park Association. Fewer than 200 agencies can claim this elite status.
CAPRA measured the overall quality of the Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Division and its service to the community. The accreditation shows we’ve met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety, and services. We documented our compliance with more than 150 recognized standards, policies, and procedures.
This accreditation confirms what our residents already know – Gwinnett parks and recreation facilities are among the best of the best. Gwinnett offers 50 award-winning parks and greenspaces on parkland totaling more than 10,000 acres. Parks range from less than 10 acres to large community and open-space parks. Our greenspace preservation program gives residents a chance to enjoy our precious natural resources, now and in the future.
A one-cent special purpose local option sales tax has contributed around $700 million for parks and greenspace since 1997. SPLOST has funded new parks, renovations, and a variety of amenities including picnic areas, pavilions, multi-purpose trails, mountain biking and equestrian trails, multi-purpose courts, fishing lakes, playgrounds, sports fields, gymnasiums, tennis courts, aquatic centers, disc golf courses, skate complexes, and dog parks, plus horseshoe, shuffleboard, and bocce ball courts.
A proposed renewal of the SPLOST program on the ballot in November could collect $1.35 billion over the next six years. If approved, it would fund recreation facilities ($108 million) as well as transportation projects ($736.3 million), new police headquarters and other public safety facilities and equipment ($133.9 million), courthouse renovation ($12.5 million), animal shelter renovation ($5.2 million), and senior services facilities ($4.7 million). Cities would receive 25 percent of the funds collected for municipal projects.
Sometimes it takes national recognition before we realize that Gwinnett County is a great place to live, work, and play. Our parks offer a never-ending source of fun activities year-round. From a stroll on a trail, to playing a sport, to swimming or pottery classes, there’s something for everyone here in Gwinnett.
Our parks feature lovely views of woodlands, lakes, meadows, streams, and gently rolling hills. They include several historic sites and museums where you can explore our history. On most days, our recreation centers are filled with activities and events for all, from infants to seniors.
We offer recreation classes, lessons, special events, camps, and so much more to meet the recreational needs of every resident in Gwinnett. So, enjoy your parks and experience the best Gwinnett has to offer.
You can learn more about your parks system on the County website at www.GwinnettParks.com.
