East Cobb Sports & Recreation

Cobb PARKS announces registration for summer activities

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Hyde Farm Nature Camp
Plenty of spring activities will be getting underway starting next week at Hyde Farm.

Next week registration begins for a number of summer camps, recreation programs and other activities offered by Cobb PARKS.

You can register online at this link and get more information, including fees, dates, locations and more/

Here’s a sampling:

Recreation Center Day Camps
Registration opens March 5 at noon.
Sign up for one-week sessions, June 2 – Aug. 1.

Locations:

  • Fair Oaks Recreation Center
  • Fullers Recreation Center
  • Ron Anderson Recreation Center
  • Ward Recreation Center

Cobb Therapeutics Camp Horizon  

A highly mobile indoor/outdoor camp for ages 7- 21 with developmental, mental, and physical disabilities. Activities include arts, nature, music, sports, swimming, pet therapy, and dance. Campers are grouped for comfort and participation. One-on-one care is not available. New campers require a preregistration assessment (appointments available weekdays until 5 p.m.). Contact: Matt Ulmer (770-528-2569)

Registration opens Wednesday, March 5 at noon.

Art Camps
Registration opens 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5.
Locations:

  • The Art Station – Big Shanty
  • The Art Place – Mountain View
  • Mable House Arts Center
  • Sewell Mill Cultural Center

Nature and History Camps
Nature Camp at Hyde Farm Park, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m, June 23 – 27, for grades 3 – 5. Registration begins 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 on Civic Rec.

History Camp at Green Meadows Preserve: June 2 – 5. Registration begins 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 here.

In addition, here’s a selected list of activities that are scheduled to begin in early and mid-March, and for which registration is still available:

Open Garden Time (45161)
March 6, Thursday, 9 – 11 a.m. Register here.
March 8, Saturday, 10 a.m. – noon Register here.
Wright Center. All ages. 
Come explore the trails and native plant gardens of the Wright Environmental Education Center. During open garden time, you can walk the trails, visit the Jean Wright museum, and a master gardener volunteer will be on site to answer questions about the plants you see.

Forest Bathing (45627)
March 11, Tuesday, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Hyde Farm Park        
All ages. Register here.
Forest bathing is a Japanese practice that involves spending time in a forest to relax and connect with nature. 

Farm Friday: Garden Prep (45108)
March 14, Friday, 9 a.m. – noon
Hyde Farm Park
All ages. Register here.    
Join us for Farm Friday, a hands-on garden education and volunteer program. This month, we are learning about garden prep, including soil amendments, mulching, and more.  

Homeschool at Hyde (39756)
March 20, Thursday, 10 a.m. – noonHyde Farm Park
Ages 6 – 13. Register here. 
Pollution Solutions: Understand various pollution sources and their impacts, create repurposed art, and participate in a cleanup hike to beautify the park.
Georgia Wildlife Trackers (45186)
March 29, Saturday, 9 – 10 a.m.
Hyde Farm Park
Ages 10 and up. Register here.     
Join Georgia Wildlife Trackers Club to learn to identify wildlife tracks, understand their behaviors, and contribute to conservation efforts. We will take a walk around the pond and visit the wildlife education trail in search of wildlife track and sign.Hyde In Season: History (44637)
March 29, Saturday, 10 – 11 a.m.
Hyde Farm Park
All ages. Register here.
A walking history tour, where you’ll get an up-close look at Hyde Farm’s historic buildings and learn about the rich history of the area.
And here are upcoming activities at Fullers Recreation Center in East Cobb:

Hunter Athletics Cheer and Acrobatics
Mar. 4 – April 10, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Ages 5 – 12. Register here.

Senior Pickleball Lessons
March 4 – May 29
Ages 55 and up. Register here.

Home School Programs
March 5 – May 30, Wednesdays and Fridays
Ages 5 – 13. Register here.

Comic Book Kids (45171)
March 5 – April 9, Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.
Ages 7 – 10. Register here.

Volleyball Training
March 6 – June 6
Ages 10 – 14. Register here.

Gideon Warriors School of Martial Arts (45106)
March 15, Saturdays, 9 a.m. – noon
Ages 5 and up. Register here.

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Junior League to hold pickleball tournament at Olde Towne

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Submitted information: Junior League to hold pickleball tournament at Olde Towne

The Cobb-Marietta Junior League is excited to announce the Serve Up Some Good Pickleball Tournament, taking place in March 22, 2025. This event will bring together pickleball enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to compete in a fun, fast-paced tournament while supporting the Junior League’s mission of giving back to the community.

The Serve Up Some Good Tournament is designed to promote both healthy competition and the spirit of service. Participants will enjoy a thrilling day of pickleball, while proceeds from the event will directly benefit local charities and initiatives supported by the Cobb-Marietta Junior League.

  • Event Details:
  • Date: March 22, 2025
  • Location: Olde Towne Athletic Club – 4950 Olde Towne Parkway, Marietta GA 30068 Registration: Event Info

The tournament will feature several divisions based on skill level, including men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the sport, there’s a place for you at Serve Up Some Good.

How You Can Get Involved:

Participate: Grab your paddle and join the action by registering for the tournament. Teams can sign up online at Event Info Donate: Individuals and businesses are encouraged to make donations to help fund local projects and initiatives. Donations can be made online at JLCM.org.

Sponsor: Local businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor the event, providing essential support for the tournament while receiving valuable exposure within the community.

For more information about the tournament or to get involved, please visit JLCM.org or contactvpcommunications@jlcm.org.

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Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy to honor Jimmy Carter

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Submitted information:Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy to honor Jimmy Carter

The Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC) will honor the late President Jimmy Carter with the Hightower Award at its annual Party for the Park fundraiser on March 25, 2025. This signature event, supporting the preservation and enjoyment of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), will be held for the first time at Ivy Hall in Roswell Mill, overlooking Vickery Creek, a treasured part of the national park system that Carter himself helped establish.

A lifelong advocate for environmental conservation, President Carter signed the legislation creating Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as a unit of the National Park Service on August 15, 1978. His enduring commitment to public lands and environmental stewardship has left a profound impact on Georgia and beyond. The Hightower Award, named in honor of longtime CRNRA Park Ranger Jerry Hightower, recognizes those whose efforts and dedication have had a lasting and positive impact on the CRNRA and its community.

“President Jimmy Carter’s vision and leadership were instrumental in the creation of CRNRA,” said CNPC Board President Peter Coffman. “His dedication to conservation and public lands has left an incredible legacy, not just for our park here in Georgia, but across the country. It is a great honor to recognize him with the Hightower Award and to celebrate the impact he has had on preserving the places we cherish.”

As CNPC’s largest annual fundraiser, Party for the Park is a celebration of the community’s commitment to preserving and enhancing CRNRA. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a silent auction, and a program featuring special guest speakers, all in support of ensuring a sustainable future for the park. Proceeds from the event will directly fund trail rehabilitation, habitat restoration, and community engagement initiatives that enhance visitor experiences.

“Party for the Park is a celebration of our community’s commitment to preserving and enhancing Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area,” said CNPC Executive Director Brittany Jones. “This park is a place of adventure, reflection, and connection, and we all have a role in keeping it thriving. The funds we raise go right back into the trails we hike, the waterways we paddle, and the habitats that make this place so special.”

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at chattahoocheeparks.org/CNPC2025.

ABOUT CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL PARK CONSERVANCY

Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official friends group and primary philanthropic partner for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), a unit of the National Park System. Its mission is to enhance CRNRA by building community, enriching lives, and catalyzing support to ensure a sustainable national park for future generations. Through conservation initiatives, trail restoration, volunteer programs, and community engagement, CNPC works to preserve and improve this treasured greenspace. Learn more at chattahoocheeparks.org.

ABOUT CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Designated as a unit of the National Park System in 1978, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves and protects the natural and cultural resources of the 48-mile Chattahoochee River corridor from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. The park annually welcomes over 3,000,000 visitors.

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Walton HS basketball players reach 1,000-point milestone

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Walton HS basketball players reach 1,000-point milestone

Submitted information and photo:

Cobb Schools’ Athlete of the Week (AOW) program is a weekly recognition of male and female student-athletes performing at high levels in their sport, classroom, and school communities. The program is made possible by support from BSN Sports.

This week’s winners are basketball players from Walton. Graycen Ehlen is a senior starter for the Lady Raiders, and Caesar Burrows is a senior starter for the boy’s team.

Graycen Ehlen, Basketball, Walton

A four-year starter for the Lady Raiders, Graycen began playing basketball in the fourth grade with the Junior Raider program. She currently leads the team in points, steals, assists, and blocks. She was recently honored for scoring her 1000th career point. She has a 3.4 GPA and will attend Mississippi State in the fall to play soccer for the Bulldogs.

“Graycen has been a huge part of our program’s success over the past few seasons, including a region championship in 2023 and advancing to the Sweet 16 in both 2023 and 2024,” said her coach, Matt Kelterborn. “She was also selected to the GBCA/GACA 7A All-State team for basketball last year as a junior. She is the main engine for our team, and they look up to her greatly. She is also an outstanding goalie on the Walton Soccer team and will be attending Mississippi State next year on a soccer scholarship.”

“She leads by example. Graycen is well-respected and a hard worker in the classroom. She serves as a role model for the other kids in our program, and her teammates and coaches have the highest respect for her on and off the court,” concluded Coach Kelterborn about his Athlete of the Week.

Caesar Burrows, Basketball, Walton

A three-year starter and a four-year varsity player for the Raiders, Caesar also just scored his 1000th career point. He has been a part of the Walton basketball program since the fifth grade when he started playing with the junior program. Caesar leads the team in points, assists, and rebounds, and he is an all-star in the classroom, too, with a 3.73 GPA. Caesar will be furthering his academic and athletic career at Lehigh University on a basketball scholarship. 

“Caesar is the ultimate team leader,” said Raider Boys Head Coach Bo Abney. “He leads on the court with his play, attitude, and unselfishness. His on-court accomplishments speak for themselves, but off the court, he is a great student and well-respected by all his teachers. He is also involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a member of the FCA student leadership team.”

“His example for our younger athletes is something that makes him special and someone they can look up to. Caesar truly exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Coach Abney proudly.

 

 

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Registration continues for 2025 Walton Raider Chase 5K

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Submitted information:Registration continues for 2025 Walton Raider Chase 5K

The 45th Annual Walton Raider Chase, a Peachtree Qualifier, will be held on Saturday, February 8th! Considered to be one of the long-standing 5K races in Marietta, the team’s only fundraiser is expected to generate fast times as the course is composed of few hills and starts and finishes at Walton High School. The Walton Raider Chase 5K will be a celebration of both running and Raider Pride. Enjoy an Olympic style track finish and age group prizes! 

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‘Crushin’ for a Cause’ event to benefit SagerStrong Foundation

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Submitted information:'Crushin’ for a Cause' event to benefit SagerStrong Foundation

Join the SagerStrong Foundation and The 6-4-3 Foundation for the second annual “Crushin’ for a Cause,”  a fun, baseball-themed, family event February 1st  in Marietta!  Sports fans of all ages are invited to join us for Crushin’ for a Cause – a baseball-themed festival-style afternoon of good food, family fun and games, baseball opportunities, music, silent auction and more, all leading up to the Celebrity Home Run Derby, featuring 6-4-3, KSU, and Sprayberry Alum and Braves prospect Tyler Tolve along with players from the Astros, Cardinals, Dodgers, Reds, Rangers and Tigers Organizations!  Last year’s winner was Michael Trautwein, with the Reds Organization! 

Tickets are only $15 in advance, and all proceeds will benefit The 6-4-3  Foundations Scholarship Program which benefits families in need in the Marietta area, and metro Atlanta,  and the SagerStrong Foundations blood cancer research initiatives to support pediatric cancer patients and their families in their fight against blood cancer in metro Atlanta.

**There is also an opportunity to watch an amateur HR Derby, prior to the professionals, see the link below for more info!

“Last year’s event was such a great time – raising funds for The 6-4-3 Foundation and Sager Strong Foundation that we decided to make it an annual event!” said Tyler Tolve, 6-4-3 Alum, and Mississippi Braves Catcher. “I wanted to make a difference, and pay it forward, and raise funds for younger player that have aspirations to play baseball on a professional level one day, as well as help raise funds for families dealing with the reality of blood cancer.  My great uncle had Leukemia, and my father had Multiple Myeloma, so I know the toll treatment can take on a family.  My Father and my great uncle are my inspirations, as well as Carson Rozsman… we wanted to recreate the event and help raise funds for these charities through Crushin’ for a Cause! ”

Event details are as follows:

  • Event Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 – 5:00 pm  – event schedule online!
  • Location: Aviation Sports Complex
  • 455 Aviation Road, Marietta, GA

Website page for additional info:

Join 6-4-3 Alum Tyler Tolve and Friends for a Celebrity Home Run Derby – Sager Strong Foundation

Information on Tyler Tolve:

SagerStrong Spotlight – Meet Tyler Tolve! – Sager Strong Foundation

Click here to learn more – see the CELEBRITY LINEUP — and buy tickets today:

Crushin’ For A Cause 2025 – The 6-4-3 Foundation

Highlights of the Day:

  • Amateur Homerun Contest, sponsored by Prep Baseball Georgia–Players from Metro Atlanta Compete Prior to the Celebs!
  • Celebrity Homerun Derby – Come See the Professionals – MLB and MiLB Players Compete for Most Dingers!
  • Food trucks,  DJ, games, music, autographs and more fun for the family and true baseball fans!
  • Silent Auction, filled with Sports Items, including signed memorabilia, tickets to Braves games, Hawks game, unique one of a kind offerings, baseball equipment, and even Prep Baseball Georgia Showcase Certificates, and more!

Don’t miss it – get your tickets today to support both charities and enjoy a great day at the ballpark!

About the SAGERSTRONG Foundation:

Craig Sager was a two-time Emmy-Award winner, and Hall of Fame Sportscaster, known for his colorful suits and ties, with a personality to match. Sager succumbed to cancer in 2016. Stacy and Craig Sager started the SAGERSTRONG Foundation in the hope that, one day, leukemia patients and their families will never have to go through the battle they have endured. The mission of the SAGERSTRONG Foundation is to give hope to those who need it most, through research to find a cure and programs to support families in their fight against blood cancer.  For more information, please visit sagerstrongfoundation.org.

 

 

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Former Sprayberry HS football coach begins tenure at Etowah

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Shortly after leading the Sprayberry High School football team to its winningest season ever, coach Brett Vavra announced he was taking another job.

Brett Vavra, Sprayberry football
Former Sprayberry head coach Brett Vavra at the East Cobb Pigskin Preview.

Earlier this month, Vavra began his tenure at Etowah High School at Cherokee County.

This week, he penned a farewell letter to the Sprayberry community (he’s a Sprayberry grad) where he taught and coached for eight years.

“There have been ups and downs, but it has been an incredible ride,” he said in a social media posting on Monday. “The positive relationships that I have established over the years with my players, coaching staff, parents, booster club, faculty an administration have been nothing short of amazing and it is the exact reason I wanted to become a coach 20+ years ago.”

Vavra added that “while this moment is extremely bittersweet for me, I know that I’m leaving Sprayberry in a good place. . . . Once a Jacket, always a Jacket.”

When he announced his decision in December, Vavra told the MDJ that he was returning to Etowah, where he previously was an assistant coach, for family reasons.

His family lives in Woodstock and his daughter is a student at Etowah, and he told the newspaper “it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

Vavra was 41-45 in his eight seasons at Sprayberry and 11-2 in 2024, when the Yellow Jackets won Region 6AAAAA and reached the Georgia High School Association Class 5A semifinals.

Etowah was 2-8 last season and has struggled in recent years.

Vavra’s successor at Sprayberry has not been named.

 

 

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Cobb PARKS releases winter 2024-25 activity guide

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Submitted information:Cobb PARKS releases winter 2024-25 activity guide

Find a new hobby or dive into a favorite activity with Cobb PARKS winter season activity guide. The issue features an article showcasing participants in Therapeutic Recreation taking part in the Special Olympics, a holiday lineup that promises fun for the whole family, exciting events like the Holiday Artisan Market, a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt, a Galentines party, and more. Cobb recreation centers are introducing new programs, with additional offerings added throughout the season, so bookmark the page and check back often.

​​​​​​​View the new winter guide here.

 

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Pope state champion athletes honored by Cobb school district

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Pope state champion athletes honored by Cobb school district
Pope volleyball team members recognized by the Cobb Board of Education for their Class 5A state championship.

Submitted information and photo:

Pope High School recently capped off an incredible Fall Sports season by winning three 5A state championships in Volleyball and Cross Country. All three state champions were congratulated and celebrated at the December Board of Education meeting.

The 2024 Volleyball title was the Lady Greyhounds 6th championship all-time and second in the last three years. The Greyhounds won the 2022 6A title and took runner-up in 2023. Two senior players, Amanda Vlkovic and Ellis Crawford, were also recently named Cobb’s Athlete of the Week. The state champs finished the 2024 season 36-5, closing out with a 16-game win streak.

“This state title was an incredible accomplishment for us,” said Head Community Coach Erica Miller. “We didn’t start the season as strongly as in years past. We played in so many close sets that we were not afraid of stress or pressure or having to compete fiercely to win. With this earned mindset and the earned confidence that comes from proving yourself repeatedly, we accomplished our dream!”

In Cross Country, the Lady Greyhounds long-distance runners ran a crushing Final 5A race in Carrollton, placing runners first, second, eighth, ninth, and thirteenth. Their overall score was 29 points. To put this in perspective, second-place McIntosh scored 152 points, giving Pope a huge margin of victory of 123 points! This team is full of talent, including overall individual state champion (and AOW winner) Josie Hutchinson. Josie outran the field to finish the 5K race at 19:15.40, nine seconds faster than her second-place teammate, Aislynn Dunn. The other three Pope finishers were Kate Rytlewski (8), Louise Delgado (9), and Ahna Hicks (13). To make things even more interesting, four of these girls are underclassmen, which means this team will be dominant for years to come.

“These ladies all have an incredible amount of talent,” said Head Coach Cathi Monk. “Winning the state title was actually a relief. Having as much team talent as we did challenged the coaching staff to make sure we did all the little things to make sure the girls were successful. Pope has a culture of inspiring athletes to do extraordinary things, and I am glad this team was able to contribute to that.”

Another highlight at Pope is their Flag Football team, which won last year’s Division 3 state championship over District rival Allatoona. This year’s team is picking up right where last year’s left off by winning Area 6 to host the first round of the playoffs. Their overall record is 21-2, and the team is ranked #73 nationally and #7 in the state. Junior QB Abbey Bensman was recently named the Division 3 Area 6 Player of the Year, and senior receiver Addie Daughtry was named Area Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, senior defender Mac Wiley was selected as Area Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

The Greyhounds Flag team took full advantage of playing at home and downed Chattahoochee and Hughes in the first round on Thursday night (December 5). They now advance to play Peach County in the Quarterfinals on December 9.

“It’s a special time around here right now,” said Greyhound Athletic Director Josh Mathews. “All these teams have been impressive, exhibiting top-level focus and determination. As someone who sees a lot of athletic events each year, these teams have demonstrated high levels of excellence. Excellence is uncommon, but Pope has been displaying it on the court, the course, and the field this year.”

That excellence is also being recognized at the collegiate level. Pope’s Class of 2025 has already had 17 student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent to pursue their sport and education at the next level. This represents 3.6% of the senior class, nearly double the national average of 2%. These athletic and academic standouts represent ten sports and 14 schools from the Power Five, D1, D2, NAIA, and D3 levels.

“This group shows why we have had such great performances over the last few years. With another signing day still to come in April, this will be one of Pope’s largest classes of college signees. Watching these young women and men obtain this highly sought-after opportunity to play at the next level has been a true treat. I can’t wait to see how they each further their educational and athletic careers in college and beyond,” concluded AD Mathews proudly.

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Sprayberry football advances in playoffs; sets wins record

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The Sprayberry High School football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Georgia High School Association Class 5A playoffs Friday with a 35-7 win over Newnan.Sprayberry football, East Cobb football

In doing so, the Yellow Jackets also set a school record for most victories in a season.

Sprayberry scored five unanswered touchdowns in the second half at Jim Frazier Stadium to move to 11-1 on the season.

Kell was defeated 42-35 Friday in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs as the Longhorns’ season ended with a 7-5 record.

According to Georgia High Football Historians Association records, the only other time Sprayberry has recorded double-digit wins in a season was in 1982. In that year, the Jackets also reached the quarterfinals in going 10-3.

No other Sprayberry team has ever advanced past that stage in 69 seasons of varsity football. In 1977, the Jackets were 8-3 and lost in the quarterfinals.

Head coach Brett Vavra has a record of 41-44 since taking over in 2017, posting three 6-5 seasons in that time.

Sprayberry has reached the playoffs for three consecutive years.

But this year, the Jackets have been dominant from the start, scoring no fewer than 23 points in a game.

Their only loss came to East Cobb rival Pope by a 34-23 score on Sept. 6.

They rolled over their next six opponents to win Region 6-AAAAA, then downed Lanier 27-14 last week to start the playoffs.

Sprayberry will have to hit the road on Friday in its quarterfinal game against No. 2 Lee County (12-0), a perennial powerhouse and state champion in 2017 and 2018.

Only one other Cobb public high school team is still in the playoffs: Hillgrove, which advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals.

North Cobb Christian also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A-A private school division.

Walton and Wheeler reached the Class 6A playoffs but were defeated in the first round.

 

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Deadline nears for Cobb PARKS Fun in the Park photo contest

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Mabry Park Opening
Mabry Park

Submitted information:

As you have enjoyed your Cobb parks and activities, take a few minutes to go through your favorite photos and submit your best to the Fun in the Park photo contest. You can enter photos of sports, nature, wildlife and anything else that shows why you enjoy spending time in Cobb’s parks, facilities and at events. Enter up to 10 of your best shots in the 20th annual contest. The competition is open to all photographers, amateur and pro. The entry deadline is Nov. 4. See the rules and download the entry form on the photo contest web page.

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Update: Johnson Ferry North trail entrance reopens

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Update: Johnson Ferry North trail entrance reopens
Screenshot

Here’s an update to our report from last month about the temporary closure of the entrance to the Johnson Ferry North trail, due to repairs.

The entrance is at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of the Chattahoochee River, and across from the entrance to Columns Drive

Reader Bob sent us the following report and the map above:

With the closure of JF North, I started running the trail from the Hyde Farm side.  There was a point on the trail that linked back to the Johnson Ferry North parking lot that had been blocked off with netting to prevent anyone from using that section, but today when I ran, that netting no longer existed.  I noted the section below that had been blocked off previously that is now reopened.  At the point where I turned around, there was still work going on but I probably could have gotten all the way to the JF North parking lot if I had wanted to.

The closures lasted a little more than the month anticipated by the National Park Service and was to construct a new culvert.

 

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East Cobb Park featured in Cobb PARKS fall activities guide

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East Cobb Park is featured in the Cobb PARKS fall activities guide, which includes listings of classes, events and other happenings through the end of the year at county parks and recreation centers and cultural facilities.East Cobb Park featured in Cobb PARKS fall activities guide

There’s a full-page spread about the park on pp. 50-51, as well as other spotlights on recreational activities for youth and adults, as well as information about art and music classes, swimming and tennis lessons, yoga and exercise classes, therapeutic programs and special events.

There are also listings of each facility in the county, including address, hours and contact information.

The guide is online and is available by clicking here; more info at Cobb PARKS website.

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Johnson Ferry North trail entrance closing temporarily

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Johnson Ferry North trail entrance closing temporarily

The entrance to the Johnson Ferry North trails of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will close for about a month starting on Monday due to the construction of a culvert.

The National Park Service said in a social media posting Friday that there will be heavy machinery and cranes in the area and that there “will be no access to the trails at JFN from this entrance while this work is being done.”

The entrance is located at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of the Chattahoochee River, and across from the entrance to Columns Drive (see blue star on map above).

The parking lot for the trails and a nearby boat ramp will remain open, and hikers can access the Johnson Ferry North trails via Hyde Farm.

Completion of the culvert work is expected to be finished by Oct. 9, according to the NPS, which has posted signs at the entrance explaining the closure.

The Johnson Ferry North portion of the Chattahoochee NRA has nine separate trails that stretch north along the river to Mulberry Creek, and connects with the Gold Branch Unit that’s located off Lower Roswell Road to the north and the Johnson Ferry South trails along Columns Drive.

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Cobb Make-A-Wish 5K returns in October after 5-year hiatus

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Submitted information:Cobb Make-A-Wish 5K returns in October after 5-year hiatus

After a five-year hiatus, the Make-A-Wish Georgia 5K is back, promising a fun-filled, family-friendly event on Oct. 5that supports granting wishes for critically ill children in Cobb County.

Currently, 15 critically ill children in Cobb are waiting for their wishes, which range from travel experiences and medical equipment to meeting celebrities.

“We are thrilled to partner with Cobb County once again with the return of the Make-A-Wish Georgia 5K,” said Tim Earley, CEO of Make-A-Wish Georgia. “This event not only helps fund life-changing wishes but also brings our community together in a fun and meaningful way.”

This year’s race will feature a shirt design by Sneha Shastri, the winner of the road race design contest. Participants can choose from seven different sponsor levels, as well as options for individual and team entries in both timed and untimed categories. The Make-A-Wish 5K is also a qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race.

The race will start and finish at the Marietta Square, offering runners and walkers the chance to experience the scenic beauty of historic Marietta.

Participants can join for a memorable day of fun and fitness, and help make wishes come true for children in Cobb County.

https://www.cobbcounty.org/public-safety/make-wish-5k

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Pope HS ‘Matt Hobby Classic’ to benefit the Rally Foundation

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Pope HS 'Matt Hobby Classic' to benefit the Rally Foundation
Senior Sam Mitchell is wearing Matt Hobby’s jersey No. 70 this season in his honor.

The Pope High School football team is playing host to Sprayberry on Friday in a key region game and East Cobb rivalry matchup.

Friday’s game also has been designated as the “Matt Hobby Classic,” a fundraising event honoring the late Greyhounds player and to benefit the Rally Foundation, which raises funds for research and treatments for childhood cancer.

Hobby was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in 2003 and died in 2006, shortly after graduating. The foundation was being formed at the same time by a Pope parent, and each season a home game serves as a fundraiser.

Buckets will be passed around the stands during the fame Friday in the “4Quarters4Research” for fans to fill with loose change. More than $300,000 has been raised for the Rally Foundation since its inception.

You can learn more about Matt here and the annual fundraiser here. Special T-shirts also are on sale with proceeds going to the Rally Foundatin.

The varsity football player who is wearing Hobby’s No. 70 jersey this season is senior offensive lineman Sam Mitchell.

He was chosen over the summer for embodying Hobby’s spirit.

 

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Kell, Pope athletes honored by Cobb County School District

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Kell, Pope athletes honored by Cobb County School District

Submitted information and photos:

Cobb Schools’ Athlete of the Week (AOW) program is a weekly recognition of male and female student-athletes performing at high levels in their sport, classroom, and school communities. The program is made possible by support from BSN Sports.

This week’s winners are seniors from Kell and Pope. Mary Babcock plays volleyball for the Longhorns, and John Stuetzer plays football for the Greyhounds.

Mary Babcock, Volleyball, Kell

A four-year starter for the Longhorns, Mary recently logged 1500 career assists, a Kell school record. She also has a 94% serve percentage. She has helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and final 4 in 2023. Mary has been playing volleyball for 6 years and started in the 7th grade. She has also played Club Volleyball with several local teams.

“Mary has been an integral part of our team’s success for the last 3 seasons,” said her coach Joseph Auriemma. “She is a player every coach would want on their team. She has a fast instinct and plays with high intensity.”

“She also balances responsibilities between family, volleyball, work, and school. She is a role model for others and is well-respected by her teammates, coaches, teachers and friends. This is a well-deserved honor for this young lady,” Coach Auriemma said enthusiastically about his Athlete of the Week.

“She is an outstanding student both on and off the court,” agreed Kell Athletic Director Oneisha Young. “She excels in the classroom and always has a smile on her face, no matter what challenges come her way.”

Kell, Pope athletes honored by Cobb County School District

John Stuetzer, Football, Pope

In last week’s home win over Dunwoody, John had an exceptional game with five touchdowns. He scored three on receptions and two on the ground, contributing 30 points to the Greyhounds’ first victory of the season, 41-27. He tallied more than 300 total yards with 266 through the air and 35 rushing. John is committed to Florida State next year to play baseball for the Seminoles.

“He is a top-tier talent and a spirited student-athlete who plays with great passion,” said Pope AD Josh Mathews. “A lot of people are excited to see him compete in football and baseball and the fact that he is wearing a Pope jersey exemplifies the great talent that we have here.”

AD Mathews mentioned that John also demonstrates his great passion for Pope by showing up as a fan to support his classmates. “He treats others with great respect and constantly exhibits humility and appreciation for others,” he said proudly.

In the classroom, John is a solid student who balances a rigorous academic load while playing multiple sports, which is uncommon in today’s world of specialization in high school sports.

“He is very deserving of this award after his spectacular effort last week, but we are most proud of the growth he has shown in his career at Pope. We look forward to watching him reap the success he has earned through hard work and commitment to his crafts,” AD Mathews concluded proudly.

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Friends for the East Cobb Park announces fall event schedule

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East Cobb first day of autumn

Concerts, garden activities and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree make up fall 2024 events at East Cobb Park.

The non-profit volunteer organization Friends for the East Cobb Park this week announced a variety of free activities that are open to the public, starting this coming Tuesday, Aug. 27.

That’s a workday for a new special garden planned by the East Cobb Garden Club, a part of the Friends organization.

Tuesday’s event begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, followed by a garden club meeting and workday on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. (see full fall schedule below).

What’s being called “Sunny’s Butterly Garden” is named in honor of the late Sunny Walker, a key figure in the creation of East Cobb Park (our story from April).

It will be an all-season garden featuring more than two dozen types of flowers, covering several hundred square feet. The garden is being designed by Lyn Cohen, head of the East Cobb Park Garden Club, who’s a professional landscape architect.

To be planted include redbuds, Black-Eyed Susans, daffodils, hydrangeas and other varietals.

The Music in the Park concert series returns with two dates in September and two more in October, along with a family movie screening in October.

As fall turns to winter, the park once again will stage the Holiday Lights tradition on Dec. 8, including a visit from Santa Claus, plenty of festive music of the season and refreshments.

For more about Friends for the East Cobb Park-sponsored events, click here.

Cobb PARKS handles reservations for picnic pavilions at East Cobb Park. You can do that by clicking here, or by contactingSheila Kracalaat (770) 591-3160 or email her directly Sheila.kracala@cobbcounty.org.

 

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Pope HS graduate earns bronze medal in Olympic weightlifting

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When Hampton Morris stood upon the Olympic weightlifting podium in Paris Thursday to accept a bronze medal, he was making a piece of history.Pope HS graduate earns bronze medal in Olympic weightlifting

The Pope High School graduate, who tied an Olympic record in the 61-kilogram category (134 pounds) during the competition, became the first American male weightlifter to earn a medal since the Los Angeles Games of 1984.

The 20-year-0ld Morris, who trains in his garage with his father Tripp as his coach, had already qualified for a medal on Wednesday when he attempted what would have been a world record of 178 kilograms in the clean-and-jerk (392 pounds) but came up just short.

The winner was Li Fabin of China, who lifted 368 pounds in his final clean-and-jerk try to win the gold, followed by Theerapong Silachai of Thailand with the silver medal.

“Oh, it was amazing,” Morris said when asked to describe his experience on the medal podium, according to quotes provided by USA Wrestling.

“It was so much more than I imagined. I’m so happy.”

He said there was a wide range of emotions during the competition, especially since he was one of the younger competitors there.

“This whole time I’ve just been so excited to be here,” he said. “I was very happy when I made that first snatch and I felt very solid. I felt relieved that I made it. That second snatch, I was still confident and knew what I needed to correct. I did that on the third snatch. I was very solid and I’m very happy with what I put up.”

Morris, who graduated from Pope in 2022, began competing in weightlifting in 2016. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in the 61-kilogram category, where he holds two senior American records.

His latest, a 176-kilogram lift in April, qualified him for the Olympics.

Here’s more about Morris’ weightlifting exploits, and below is a video documentary called “Hamp the Champ.”

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Mabry Park playground to be closed temporarily for upgrades

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Mabry Park Opening

Cobb PARKS announced this week that the playground at Mabry Park (4466 Mabry Park Road0 will be closed the week of Aug. 12-16 for new equipment to be installed.

“Weather permitting the work should be completed by 5 p.m. on Aug. 16,” according to a message sent out by Cobb PARKS in its August monthly newsletter.

As noted previously, the Mountain View Aquatic Center remains closed for renovations, and is expected to reopen Sept. 30.

Also, with school starting this week, there are new hours for the Sewell Park pool (2051 Lower Roswell Road).

The outdoor pool is open Saturdays and Sundays only from 1-6 p.m. through Sept. 2 (Labor Day). Admission fees are $3.50 for children ages 3-17, $4.50 for adults and $3 for seniors ages 55 and older.

 

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