Athens parks director outlines amenities, hours and reservation contacts

Catherine Ann Jordan, director of Arts, Parks and Recreation, led a recorded tour-style summary of Athens parks and recreation amenities. At East State Street Park she noted playgrounds for 5–12 and preschool-age children, four lighted outdoor pickleball courts, a skate park, two tennis courts, multiple gardens including an East Side Community Food Initiatives Garden, an 18-hole disc golf course, and four basketball courts. Jordan said the pickleball courts, basketball courts and skate park are lighted until about 11 p.m. Jordan said Sells Park features an ADA path to a pond, a Storybook Trail in partnership with the Athens County Public Library System, miles of trails that connect to Stroud's Run State Park, and year-round access. Highland Park was described as having an inclusive playground, a shelter house, a small basketball court and restrooms; Jordan said the shelter house is free if no one has reserved it, and can be reserved for $30 a day via the Athens Community Center. West State Street Park includes multiple ballfields, two shelter houses, playgrounds, restrooms, the bikeway and Westside community gardens; Jordan also highlighted a dog park at West State Street Park with water and features for dogs of all sizes. Richland Avenue Park has inclusive playgrounds, shelter houses, restrooms and a story-walk trail; other nearby amenities include a mini golf course and sports fields on Dairy Lane. Jordan described Camp Rotan as having about a half-mile trail, a creek and a natural spring, scout projects, an old cabin, and a self-guided nature trail; Camp Rotan is open dawn to dusk and has an information kiosk at the entrance off Longview Heights Road. She gave the city's parks website (athensapr.com) and a phone number ((740) 592-3325) for reservations and additional information. The remarks were informational; no new park policies or budget decisions were announced during the presentation.