Fall Activities at Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department

Story by Cindy Reid Photos by Michelle Holloway

The schools are back open, the leaves are falling and there is a crispness in the air. Everyone is happy to be outside enjoying this beautiful fall weather, especially the children.

Clarence E. Morgan, the Director of Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department, says, “We are excited to start our fall sports. We were able to open the playgrounds and travel baseball team practices May 14, club soccer on May 15 and regular baseball on June 20. Bingo and Line Dancing are up and running and fall sports are happening now.” He adds, “A big thanks to our County Commissioners and County Manager for all the hard work they have put in over the last few months dealing with the COVID-19 and supporting our Recreation Dept!”

The Fall Sports Season is well under way and the schedules for upcoming games are posted online. Youth Basketball will be next, and registration begins in October (see below)

Ongoing Sports in October:

• Youth Football Season- September 26th- November 7th
• Girls Volleyball Season- Oct. 7th- Nov. 13th
• Youth Cheerleading Season- Sept. 26th - Nov. 7th
• Youth Soccer Season- Sept. 26th - Nov. 7th

Upcoming registration for Youth Basketball: 2020 Basketball - Youth Basketball Leagues Offered: 6U-17U (boys & girls) Control Date: September 1, 2020 Fee: $70 (includes shorts and jersey) Registration Begins in October

Ongoing Events Line Dancing Classes: Every Tuesday Evening in the ECRP Meeting Room in Springfield

Bingo for Senior Adults: 3 Tuesdays a month; 10 am - 12 pm. Held in the ECRP Meeting Room in Springfield

The Effingham County Recreation Department hosts special events throughout the year and although many events were cancelled in 2020 due to Covid concerns, they are ready for 2021.

2021 SPECIAL EVENTS 44th Annual Jacan Brown Spring Run The 44th Annual Jacan Brown Coca- Cola Spring Run will be held in mid- February 2021. Pre-registration will be available and is recommended for this event. Pre-Registration fee is $10 (BB-1M) and $15 (JH-5K). Race-day registration will start at 7:00AM, and the rates will be $12 (BB-1M) and $17 (JH-5K). Races will begin at 8:00AM (BB-1M), and 8:45AM (JH-5K). All pre-registered participants will be guaranteed a t-shirt.

2nd Annual Family Freeze-Out Do you and your family love to camp outdoors? The Effingham Recreation Department will host their second annual Family Freeze-Out event in February 2021 at The Clarence E. Morgan Sports Complex on Highway 21 in Springfield. Overnight camping is not mandatory. Activities, campfires, food, and fun for all who attend.

Effingham County Recreation and Sport Management Annual Egg Hunt April (date TBA) at the Effingham County Recreation Department, 808 Highway 119 South Springfield Bouncy Houses open at 5:30PM, Egg Hunts start at 6:00PM sharp. Age Groups (0-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12), Please R.S.V.P. @ (912) 754-6339, ext. 4401. Free of charge (Please bring canned goods for our food pantry). Don’t forget your basket!

OTHER NEWS:

Improvements at Sand Hill Complex The Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department Sand Hill Complex has undergone many new improvements over the past few months and is looking better than ever. Mr. Morgan says, “The upgrades were made possible by the encouragement and leadership of the ECBOC and D1 Commissioner Forrest Floyd and the Recreation Board.”

It is large facility that features three soccer fields, five ball fields, a playground, and a pond. There is ample open space for kite and remote control airplane flying—in fact an airplane club has been using it continually since the 1980s. In use 350 days a year, it is a popular facility in the parks department and often hosts district and statewide competitions.

The new improvements include:

• New batting cages (2)
• New pitching machine
• New outdoor basketball court
• New soccer field goal posts
• New fence around the soccer field
• New fence around the playground

Clarence E. Morgan, the Director of Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department, says the improvements were funded by SPLOST, s special-purpose local-option sales tax used for funding capital outlay projects in Georgia. It is an optional 1% sales tax levied by any county for the purpose of funding the building of parks, roads, and other public facilities. Mr. Morgan says, “SPLOST is how many of these types of improvements get funded.”

“Many changes have been made at Sand Hill over the years. It was a helicopter pad training area during Vietnam war and was given to the county by the US government in the 1970s. In early 2000 we made major improvements and now again in 2020. This facility has come a long way and has had a major positive impact on the community.”

Come by and see the Sand Hill Complex, 300 Stagecoach Avenue, Guyton, GA

FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

[email protected] Phone: 912-754-6339 Register online for Fall Programs at www.effinghamrec.org