Georgia County Government - May/June 2008 - (Page 32)

CLAYTON COUNTY continued from page 31 proximal to the county’s “other airport,” Tara Field. Yet another economic bonanza for the county, and the state, the speedway attracts thousands per year not just to motor car races, but also to RV supershows, gun shows and other events. “The Beach” at Clayton County International Park, was home of the 1996 Olympic Beach Volleyball competition. The site has a spring-fed lake water park that area youth take full advantage of for its adventure pool, slides, a sandy beach, water trampoline and sun deck. Also available are a tennis center with 17 courts and a pro shop and a full gym with certified professional trainers. Hiking, biking, volleyball, fishing and picnics are available, too. Besides offering recreation, the facility hosts many kinds of indoor and outdoor events at three beach pavilions, catering to organizations ranging from churches and companies to special interest groups. For those who prefer wilderness, Reynolds’ Nature Preserve offers great hiking, as well as fishing and outdoor activities in some of the region’s most beautiful preserved woodlands. For concert enthusiasts, there is the acclaimed Spivey Hall, located on the campus of Clayton State University. There is a 400-seat, acoustically-superior performing arts venue that has presented a wide variety of jazz and classical music to the metro Atlanta area since 1991. Its celebrated concert series receives regular national and international attention as one of the nation’s finest, and the Hall’s acoustics and design are renowned. Frequent appearances on American Public Media’s “Performance Today,” on public radio stations nationally, Spivey Hall has earned a national reputation and reached an international audience. The Hall also routinely receives accolades from the noted artists it annually presents. Spivey Hall also pursues innovative education and outreach programs, which have resulted in the formation of the awardwinning Spivey Hall Children’s Choir and the newer Spivey Hall Young Artists. The hall’s Young People’s Concerts series won the prestigious Abby Award for arts education in Atlanta in 1998. Clayton County also offers visitors the one-of-a-kind Atlanta State Farmers’ market. Established decades before “farmers’ markets” became popular additions to many urban communities, the farmers’ market here is one of the world’s largest, with outdoor stands selling an immense variety of Georgia grown produce, including peaches and sweet Vidalia onions, in season. Every spring landscaping plants fi ll the stalls and during the Christmas holidays, more than a quarter of a million fir trees are sold at the market to those seeking holiday trees to take home. A visitor’s center and gift shop at the market operated by the Clayton County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau stocks all kinds of Georgia tourism information. Spivey Hall’s celebrated concert series receives regular national and international attention as one of the nation’s finest. Image courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. First Urban Archway Partner Of special excitement is Clayton County’s recent inclusion as a University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Archway Partner, status that will give it a partnership in community progress with UGA Extension Services’ innovative Archway Program. In a 2004 university review of Cooperative Extension program service delivery, local county Extension agents recommended simplifying and boosting access for all counties to the full resources of UGA and that Cooperative Extension partner with UGA Public Service and Outreach to make this happen. The concept of the Archway Partnership was then begun. The program gives a full range of resources to counties and cities facing significant issues, especially those that are growth-related. Clayton County is the second Archway partner, and the first urban county in Georgia to become one. Obviously proud of the prospects being an Archway Partner will bring, Chairman Bell says Clayton County’s status as an Archway Partner was won as the result of a community-driven effort by local stakeholders anxious for the county to derive the benefits of being the first urban county to participate in the program. Joining the Archway Partnership are local entities South Regional Hospital, the Clayton County Health Board, the Clayton County School System, all the cities within the jurisdiction, and the Clayton County Health Department. Kim Seaburt, in charge of the Clayton County Extension Service, approached Bell about the initiative, which could assist the county in meeting its particular health and human service challenges, in collaboration with the UGA’s Extension Service. The program begins officially July 1 of this year. According to Dr. Melvin Garber, director of UGA’s Cooperative Extension Strategic Initiatives, the Archway Program is “customer-driven,” with priorities focused on a community’s needs and priorities. “Like the first Archway partner, Colquitt County, Clayton County, too, has 32 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - May 2008

Georgia County Government - May 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters ACCG 2008 Annual Meeting: Highlights County Focus: Clayton County Negotiating a Professional Service Firm Contract: Part 3 Counties Get Involved in Efforts to End Sexual Abuse of Children Smart Growth Scorecard Gives Communities a Way to Grade New Developments Wireless Technologies Critical for First Responders Research Corner: The ACCG Policy Process RDCs Assist the USS Georgia Flag Project Extension News: Animals Take Spotlight in Disaster Planning Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Grady County NACo News: Green Initiative Launches Searchable Database Insurance News: ACCG Announces New Inmate Medical Savings Program County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - May 2008

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