National Kids to Parks Day Comes to Gwinnett

The event promoting healthy family lifestyles takes place May 18.

National Kids to Parks Day is coming soon to Gwinnett County. The free event takes place locally May 18 at Shorty Howell Park in Duluth, where families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch for outdoor play, wildlife education and crafts. Additionally, Bogan Park in Buford will host a bike rodeo. Children will be able to decorate their bicycles, compete in a relay and get bicycle and helmet safety checks for $6 each.  It is National Park Trust's third annual National Kids to Parks Day, and officials say they event helps combat obesity and other ailments by encouraging a healthy lifestyle. For more information call 678-277-0905 for Shorty Howell Park, or 678-277-0850 for Bogan Park or visit www.gwinnettparks.com.

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May 2013 Gwinnett Parks and Recreation Calendar

Sign up for a Kids Cooking Class at the Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville, Ga. Activities at other parks include an art show, a movie matinee, trivia contest, horseshoes, yard sale, luau, board games and a bike rodeo.

Here's what's happening at Gwinnett County Parks this month: May 1 to May 31 – Two For the Show Art Show Free! Enjoy this Art Show featuring two talented painters. June Gotthardt’s landscape scenery of the North Carolina mountains will leave you with a longing for Appalachia; and Karen Devine’s award winning pieces embody a child-like sense of wonder. Call 678.277.0910 for information. Prime Timers Pointe at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Hwy., Suwanee.  May 4, 6:00pm-8:00pm – Twilight Hike Enjoy an easy, guided hike featuring the natural world as it settles into evening. Amble through Piedmont Forests and marshlands as dusk turns into night. All ages, $5/person. Register online at www.gwinnettparks.com with code: GPCC14277 or call 678.277.…

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April 2013 Gwinnett Parks & Recreation Calendar

Photography contest, art shows. Mother-Daughter-Dolly Tea, Wheels & Deals Car Show, yard sales and Meteor Campout just a few of the activities occurring at county parks this month.

Through April 12, 10:00am-4:00pm – Spring Art Show Free! View the of work of artist, Christopher Sherry, which includes self-portraits, landscapes and still-life in mixed media to include pastels, oils and water colors. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville 30046. Through April 20 – Art Thru the Lens Fourth annual photography contest where visitors vote for their favorite! Photographers can submit two framed and matted photos in the landscape, pet, or still life categories. Entries due on or before the week of 2/19, all submissions must be approved in advance. Winners announced at an artist reception featuring awards and light refreshments 2:00pm-4:00pm on Saturday, 4/20. Age 50-up, $10/artist, call 678.277.0910 to…

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March 2013 Gwinnett Parks & Recreation Calendar

Kids can learn how to play tennis for free at one Lawrenceville, Ga. park.

Spring Art Show · January 24 - April 12 · Free! View the of work of artist, Christopher Sherry, which includes self-portraits, landscapes and still-life in mixed media to include pastels, oils and water colors. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville 30046. Kids Tennis Play Day · March 2 · Free 9:00am to noon. Kids age 4 – 10 will learn the basics of tennis by using smaller rackets and balls that bounce slower! Tennis classes start that afternoon for those who want to continue the experience. Drinks and snacks provided and each kid will get a certificate for participating! No pre-registration required. Mountain Park Tennis Center, 5050 Five Forks-Trickum Rd., Lilburn. Call 770.417.2210. Learn to “B” a Beekeeper · …

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Valentine Activities for Everyone in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett

Gwinnett Parks & Recreation Department calendar lists events for families, sweethearts, and senior citizens.

February is filled with Valentine celebrations at parks throughout Gwinnett County. There are Daddy-Daughter Dances in Suwanee and Norcross, a romantic Valentine Day Dinner Dance for Sweethearts in Lawrenceville, a Family Valentine Dance in Lawrenceville. For senior citizens, there is a Valentine Day Breakfast in Lawrenceville and a Valentine Day Tea, also in Lawrenceville. And a bit later in the month, there’s a family Masquerade Ball in Buford for Mardi Gras. Here are the dates, details and registration links. Art Show · January 2 – February 27· Free! The Buford Artists' Group will gather for a memorable showcase of their finest art works, challenging one another to further express their creativity. George Pierce Park Community …

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January Events at Gwinnett Parks

An art show, bridal showcase, Hawaiian luau for seniors, prom extravaganza and more!

Art Show • January 2 to February 27 • Free! The Buford Artists' Group will gather for a memorable showcase of their finest art works, challenging one another to further express their creativity. George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway in Suwanee. Breakfast & BINGO Bash • January 10 9:00am to 11:00am. Bring in the New Year with a delicious breakfast, and a rousing game of BINGO! Enjoy pancakes and sausage breakfast, play BINGO, and maybe win a prize! Age 50+. $6/person. Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road in Lawrenceville. Advanced registration required. Call 678.277.0179 or register here. An Engaging Affair Bridal Show • January 13 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Planning a wedding? Join wedding professionals …

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Readers' Choice: Vote for Your Favorite Park

Lawrenceville Patch wants to know what our readers consider the best of the local parks. We'll compile all the nominations into next month's contest.

  What's your favorite place to unwind? Do you like a park with playground equipment and sandboxes for your children?  Or does a passive park, with trails, woods and maybe a stream or two suit you better? Or maybe park means water park, with a melay of splashing, screaming swimmers? Whatever your preference in parks, Lawrenceville Patch wants to know. Please think long and hard about your favorite park, day in, day out, and then nominate it. We will compile the nominations and let our readers pick the local fav. Because people are gone in the summer, we're giving folks a little longer to make their preferences know. The nomination process will end on July 9, when the contest will begin.

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Summer Fun

Go to a Waterpark... Even in the Rain!

Kids can slip and slide at an indoor water park right here in Lawrenceville, Ga.

  The weather forecast calls for rain today, but you and the children can still have fun poolside. The Bethesda Park Aquatic Center has an indoor water park complete with a slide, water games and more. The pool is open Monday-Thursday and Saturday 11am to 6pm. Sundays 1pm to 6pm. Daily admission at Bethesda's pool, and all Gwinnett County pools, range from $3 to $5 for county residents and $6 to $10 for non-residents. Visit Gwinnett County Parks' website for more information about admission and hours at other pools.

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City Chooses Name for New Park

The groundbreaking for the new park in Lawrenceville will take place next week.

  After receiving input from the public about what to name the park at Jackson and Luckie Streets, Lawrenceville leaders have decided upon what to call it. Lawrenceville Lawn. The choice was not one of the original options listed by the city in a public survey. Names on that list included : Lawrenceville Patch readers suggested other names for the park including Ezzard Memorial Park and Cherokee Rose Park. A couple of readers also suggested naming it in honor of the city's police officers. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Lawrenceville Lawn will be held Monday, May 7th at 10am at the corner of Luckie and Clayton Streets. What do you think of the name chosen for the park? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Doll and Me Tea

The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Downtown Lawrenceville, Ga. hosted the tea for little girls and their friends.

Moms, grandmothers and little girls enjoyed afternoon tea in the Superior Court Ballroom at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. The room was brimming with bonnets and bows. Twenty three dolls joined the fun too, some dressed like their owners. A dress up chest with hats, gloves and tutus was available for ‘Dress Me Up’ fun. Guests of the tea enjoyed petit sandwiches, cucumber and cream cheese on toast, biscuits with jam and Devonshire cream, cheese and fruit and muffins. Tea service included blueberry and peach teas sweetened with honey. Guests also enjoyed games such as Bejewel Mom and Set the Table. Each little girl took home a homemade paper doll and dresses they designed themselves.   The event, put on by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse…

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