"Recreation Center on Wheels" Stops at Piedmont Park Next Month

Staff Report

City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation officials joined Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce Sheperd, The Coca-Cola Company, community members and more than 50 Center of Hope afterschool students yesterday to unveil the city’s first ATL Parks & Rec Play Mobile. The Play Mobile, also known as a recreation center on wheels, will travel throughout Atlanta to community parks and activate free play for all Atlanta youth. The ATL Parks & Rec Play Mobile was purchased with a grant from The Coca-Cola Company through the National Recreation and Parks Association.

“The ATL Parks & Rec Play Mobile is an innovative way to teach our young people the importance of physical fitness in a safe, structured learning environment,” said Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Amy Phuong. “Through a generous grant from The Coca-Cola Company, the ATL Parks & Rec Play Mobile will allow our Department to reach families without access to a recreation center and make an indelible impact on the lives of many children throughout Atlanta.”

“For more than 128 years, Coca-Cola has been making a positive difference in our local communities to ensure that they are healthy and happy places to live. This is especially true for our hometown of Atlanta,” said James A. Ryan, Atlanta Market Unit Vice President, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “The new ATL Play Mobile will provide Atlanta youth opportunities to live active, healthy lives by providing access to new sporting equipment in neighborhood parks across the city.”

The fall 2014 schedule for the Play Mobile was announced during the event. During the 2014 pilot season, there will be 27 park tour stops, which will include Vine City Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, John A. White Park, English Park and Piedmont Park. The tour will end on November 23, 2014, and resume in spring 2015 with a much more robust schedule.

“The Play Mobile extends the department’s reach beyond the four walls of our recreation centers and helps to further realize Mayor Reed’s vision of serving all youth,” said Executive Director Annika S. Holder. “From hula-hoops to scooters, and soccer balls to horse shoes, Atlanta’s Parks and Recreation Department is bringing traditional and active play to local communities.”

The Play Mobile creates a safe and interactive atmosphere that encourages children to go outside and play. For three hours, Parks and Recreation leaders will guide free activities and games for children, including non-traditional sports, fitness demos, arts and crafts, oversized board games and much more. There will be both organized sports as well as structured traditional activities. The Play Mobile team will also lead kickball, soccer, table tennis, and dodgeball games. Kids will also enjoy tug-of-war, jumping rope, face painting, horseshoes, sidewalk chalk, and much more.

The ATL Parks & Rec Play Mobile is the first of several mobile units that will aim to impact and engage all members of communities throughout Atlanta in an innovative way.

The Play Mobile runs every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from October 7 - November 23 (excluding Veterans Day). Hours are Tuesday & Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For the complete fall 2014 schedule, visit www.atlantaga.gov/ATLplaymobile or http://atlparksandrec.tumblr.com/.