As spring and summer bring us incredible weather, park usage is increasing, and that provides us an opportunity to address several inquiries from our community. We are working hard on maintenance issues, trail upgrades and ensuring all our fields, courts and greenspaces are ready for all the summer activity.
One inquiry we have recently received concerns off-leash dogs. We ask everyone to keep their dogs on a leash while in the park, and we are often met with comments about how nice the dogs are and how “they wouldn’t hurt a fly.” I’m sure that is absolutely correct. However, there are folks that aren’t necessarily dog people, or there may be some other pets that do not have the same demeanor, plus wild animals and critters are always present in the park. Our community should be able to hike the trails and enjoy themselves without those worries. We would also like to remind everyone that Henderson Park has an off-leash dog park near the lake, and a couple more are on the way. We will be completing dog parks at Montreal and Rosenfeld Parks very soon.
This month we have also received a couple of questions concerning the Tucker Recreation Center. The TRC is a 1960s era elementary school that was converted to a recreation center in the mid-to-late 1980s. This facility has served Tucker for many decades, and we continue to make repairs and improvements to ensure it continues to be the hub of activity everyone has come to expect. In 2019, the city completed a feasibility study, as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, that looked at the long-term usage, space, and conditions of the current facility. This study provides the city with the needed insight into future plans for the Tucker Recreation Center.
As our programs and participation continue to grow, we are always searching for new ways to provide safe spaces for them. We have discussions with other community providers and agencies to share spaces that would accommodate our needs.
Fortunately, not all of our programs are indoors. Most of our growth is in outdoor activities, with the expansion of events as well as youth and adult athletics. We have been fortunate and added several new spaces that have allowed us to introduce and expand programs and are excited about new ones planned.
As mentioned, our Parks and Recreation Master Plan guides future project planning, expansion possibilities and needs. The current plan will be updated this year due to the added spaces, program growth and the need to reassess the community’s priorities.
Our website and social media are great ways to stay current on department happenings, activities, events, and general information. Visit our website: tuckerga.gov/parks and follow us at facebook.com/TuckerParksRec.
