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If you haven't noticed lately, take a look at your community's ball parks and fields. Seriously, take a visit. You will either find work recently completed, work going on, or possibly work about to start.
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority is overseeing a renaissance in the community's fields.
Look for the new lights at Scott Park, numerous renovations at Vallotton, the rebuilding of the park in Clyattville. Revitalization seems to be the key word for all of Valdosta and Lowndes County's parks and fields.
Some of this work is being conducted specifically to prepare the ball fields for several regional and national tournaments scheduled to play here in the coming months.
Parks & Rec officials used the bounty of our many parks to attract these tournaments. These tournaments are expected to generate millions in economic impact for South Georgia.
Renovations are preparing these parks for the tournaments, which may well attract even more tournaments and money to Valdosta and Lowndes County. Our community will also reap the benefits of these renovations from youth sports to family outings.
The Authority will be asking the community what it would like to see added to the region's parks and programs.
George Page, Parks & Rec director, and the authority members deserve accolades for creating a system that will provide enjoyment to the community, will have a positive economic impact from visiting teams, and will be able to sustain continued improvements and upgrades through its own enterprises.
City and county leaders may want to consider additional investment into the parks and recreation programs and infrastructure. After all, Valdosta-Lowndes County's ball parks have found more success than the latest upgrades to the region's empty industrial parks.
What We Think
Park renaissance
- What We Think
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. -
Furloughs: They beat the alternative
As summer break nears, many area education boards have spent the final school days preparing faculty and staff for furloughs for the 2012-13 calendar.
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Getting a jump on hurricane season
Come June 1, the 2012 hurricane season begins and lasts through Nov. 30.
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A few thoughts for new graduates
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Video helps veterans
During Thursday night’s Military Officers Association of America meeting, the local chapter shared a video presentation regarding the Community Blueprint program, which is also known as Valdosta Veterans First.
For those unfamiliar with Community Blueprint, Valdosta is one of three cities across the nation selected as a pilot city for the program. -
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother. Mama. Mommy. Ma. Mom. She fed us when we were too small to feed ourselves. She nurtured us, clothed us, cleaned us, protected us.
She helped us form our first words. -
Thumbs Up. thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. Brian Hickox. Valdosta’s newest chiropractor overcame great odds to open his practice last week. Born with partial vision, an assault robbed him of the remainder of his sight. Despite these odds, he followed his dream to become a chiropractor. School took him twice as long, at seven years rather than the usual three and a half to complete, but he reached his goal. The story of Brian Hickox should be an inspiration to us all. It proves that we may lack sight, we may have to overcome difficulties and disabilities, but that doesn’t mean we have to lack vision.
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School’s out so watch out!
