Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Parks and Recreation Organization and Administration
South Bryan County Recreation (SBCR) is managed and funded by the Bryan County Board of
Commissioners. We have five main revenue sources, annual Bryan County Budget (covers salaries,
operations supplies, field, equipment and building maintenance, etc.), Special Revenue Funds
(generated from self-sufficient athletic programs), SPLOST (New construction - fencing, concession
stand, picnic shelters, tennis courts, etc. ), grants (received grant from Georgia DNR for walking trail in
2014) and facility rentals. We also receive numerous sponsorships and donations that go the athletic
programs being sponsored.
SBCR has nine full time regular staff members including one Recreation Director, one Park Maintenance
Superintendent, two Athletic Directors, two Athletic Coordinators, one full-time Intern, one Park
Maintenance Worker and one Secretary/Office Manager. We also utilize two work details from the Long
County Prison to assist with the field and park maintenance. SBCR employs approximately 100 part-time
seasonal staff that work in the areas of concessions, score keeping, officials, etc. In addition, we
incorporate hundreds of volunteers into our programs as coaches, assistant coaches, team managers,
special event workers, office help, etc.
Our current staff is highly educated, five of our nine employees have Bachelor’s Degrees, one has a
Master’s Degree in Recreational Management, one is currently working towards their Master’s degree,
and two will be completing their Bachelor’s degrees within the next year. Combined we have over 60
years of Recreational experience and have attended over 60 hours of continuing education over the past
12 months.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Planning and Evaluation
SBCR plans their annual sports calendar a year in advance so we can work issues out between
overlapping sports. This forward thinking allows us to make better use of facilities, as well as allow
athletes easier transition between sports with back to back seasons. An example is planning baseball
evaluations for specific age groups on days we are not hosting basketball playoffs. Pre-planning these
activities provides a smooth transition between sports and keeps everyone happy. In addition, SBCR has
an online facility scheduler, so we can manage all facilities ensuring fields and gyms are not double
booked and we are maximizing usage. Athletic Directors use a season checklist to plan each new
season to ensure a smooth season from pre-planning and registration through end of season
tournaments.
SBCR is serious about making improvements with each season and we accomplish this by post season
evaluations. We generate web-based sports questionnaires after the completion of each season to get
valuable input from our parents and coaches. In 2014 we also initiated two Coaches Reviews; the first
is mid-season to address any immediate issues, the second is a post season review where we invite the
coaches in to discuss the pros and cons of the season, what improvements we could make, and how to
make the programs better to meet the needs of our “customer” the athletes. SBCR also offers an open
door policy and encourage parents to offer suggestions and ideas throughout the season. We like to
hear about ways to improve. Our philosophy is we would rather hear about it so we can address it
than have the parents or coaches complain about it and we never get the chance to fix or improve it.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Program Services Offered
Spring: T-Ball (18 teams), Baseball (30 teams), Softball (7 teams) ages 4-15 plus 7 All-Star teams
Soccer (36 teams) ages 4-14 providing Recreational, Academy and Select Soccer programs
Volleyball (new program in fall of 2013 – 8 teams) ages 12-17
Summer: Sports Camps (Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Football, Tennis and Cheerleading)
Day Camp for 60+ campers ages 5-13. Ten weeks. Generates over $1,000 profit each week.
Fall: Football (18 teams) ages 7-14
Cheerleading (125 girls) ages 6-12
Soccer (44 teams) ages 4-18 providing Recreational, Academy and Select Soccer programs
Little Kickers Soccer (43 participants) ages 3-4 beginning soccer
Baseball (12 teams) relaxed fall league to keep skills fresh
Volleyball (6 teams) ages 12-16. Fall of 2013 for first time in response to community interest.
Winter: Wrestling (63 athletes) ages 7-18 Folk, Grecco Roman and Free style programs.
Basketball (52 teams) ages 5-18
Baseball – Sunday clinics to get players ready for the spring season
Adult: Line Dancing served over 70 dancers twice a week
Softball (12 teams) fall recreational league
Boot Camp coming September of 2014
Special Needs: SNAP – Special Needs Activity Program servicing over 30 special needs youth with
athletic as well as social programs throughout the year.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Facilities Areas
SBCR has three primary parks:
Richmond Hill Park on Timber Trail contains two indoor basketball courts, two outdoor basketball
courts, two football fields, nine baseball fields, four batting cages, four practice pitching mounds, four
full size tennis courts, one junior tennis court, one skate park, three concession stands, offices, and one
maintenance building.
DeVaul Henderson Park on Veterans Memorial Parkway contains two artificial turf soccer/football fields,
up to twelve smaller soccer fields, three youth softball fields, two adult softball fields, one high school
baseball field, four batting cages, one concession stand, two walking trails, and two maintenance sheds.
DeVaul Henderson Park will be adding two picnic shelters, one dog park, a third walking trail that will
connect the two existing trails making all ADA accessible, and a maintenance building this fall.
The Bottom Park on Parkwood Drive provides our community with three baseball fields, one batting
cage and a community use building.
Dixie Daniel Park is a small area playground maintained by SBCR for the citizens of Bryan County.
SBCR has developed a partnership with Bryan County School System. Through this relationship we have
been able to better utilize, pool and share facilities for the benefit of all Bryan County Citizens. SBCR
allows RHHS access to our facilities prior to 5:30 pm and Bryan County Schools allow us to use their
facilities after 6:30 pm and on the weekends. It’s a WIN WIN relationship for all involved.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Maintenance Management
SBCR takes our maintenance management program seriously. We sent the maintenance staff to several
training courses over the last twelve months, most recently the Ground Maintenance Class offered by
GRPA in Griffin. First let’s address the fields, primarily the turf and clay. We perform annual soil
samples on fields to make sure our soil has the proper nutrients to keep the turf healthy. We have a
precise schedule for spraying, fertilization and cutting of all of our fields. SBCR has purchased new infield groomers to take better care of the infields for all of our fields. We have consulted with area turf
experts for UGA, County Extension Services, turf management companies, etc. on numerous occasions
to make sure we are providing the best fields for our citizens. Over the past several years we have
dedicated specific fields for baseball and transplanted turf form one field to another in order to grass
the infields to make better fields for baseball. We sod the football fields annually to make sure they are
ready for the pounding each season brings.
SBCR has developed a facilities checklist so we can perform quarterly reviews. We walk all areas of the
park looking for problems with fencing, grounds, lighting, anything that could be hazardous or could be
improved for aesthetic reasons (painted, power-washed, etc).
SBCR closes the gym each December to allow staff time to redo floors, service bathrooms and maintain
the offices. Keeping our facility clean, safe and ready to enjoy.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Marketing
2014 has brought massive changes to SBCR’s marketing program. We continue to provide seasonal
activity brochures to the community and area schools. These listings include detailed program
descriptions and information on how to contact us to register and ask questions. We have revamped
our website and it is updated weekly making it easier for patrons to use. This year SBCR added
complete baseball schedules so parents can access their child’s schedule from any computer or smart
phone!
SBCR improved our Facebook page drawing more and more followers, likes and comments.
We found that adding photos greatly increased our following. We even started a new series call “Just
Carter” featuring live entertaining videos of staff using our facilities. SBCR continues to list programs in
two area newspapers and we have added one online news source to keep the community involved. We
have also increased our communication to patrons by increasing the frequency of notifications and
customizing distribution of emails instead of relying on the coaches to get information to the parents.
SBCR is staying with trends by adding Twitter this spring! We have also developed an Annual brochure
showcasing all of our programs and how to get involved. SBCR believes in getting involved in
community events such as National Night Out, Unity in the Community, school open houses, Chamber of
Commerce events and serving on the United Way Board of Directors. Another way we advanced our
marketing was hosting a Logo Contest. SBCR joined forces with the Richmond Hill High School
Technology department and held a contest to design our new logo. Winners were awarded monetary
prizes as well as custom shirts with their design at a Bryan County Board of Education meeting. SBCR
also purchased signs to announce sports registration periods that are placed throughout the county
during open registration and collected after registration closes.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Professional Development and Training of Staff
SBCR is always on the lookout for professional development and training. The Recreation and Athletic
Directors attend many GRPA sponsored training such as the Annual Conference and our Maintenance
staff attended the most recent Ground Maintenance Course. SBCR office staff also attended Fred Pryor
seminars to improve communication skills and abilities when working with the public. The Office
Manager also attended two Quick Book courses offered through the Bryan County Chamber of
Commerce. All SBCR staff attended Harassment and Communications Seminars offered through Bryan
County. We have added weekly staff meeting to share ideas, program information and create a united
team working together to provide quality programs. SBCR has sent one or several representatives to all
GRPA, SGYFL, CAA, Georgia Soccer, etc. meetings over the past twelve months.
Our professional development doesn’t stop with just our staff, all of our head coaches and many
assistant coaches were certified through either the National Head’s Up Football Program, National Youth
Sports Coaches Association, or the Georgia Youth Soccer coaches programs prior to each season. SBCR
has also incorporated sports specific training by area experts from local colleges and universities for
coaches, parents and players. All Full-time staff as well as summer camp counselors are CPR and First
Aid certified and this training was offered to all coaches free of charge! We have invited guest
instructors in to work with our staff, coaches and players for softball, volleyball, wrestling, baseball,
football and SNAP. Our focus for 2014 has been improving coaches training and professional
development. This will ultimately make our programs stronger.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Risk Management and Security
SBCR has numerous programs in place to protect staff, coaches, players and patrons including:

Formal Incident Reports – used by staff, coaches and parents to report and document situations
to insure all are treated fairly, voices are heard, resolution and follow-through are achieved.

CDC Concussive Head Injury Forms – are completed by all parents to make them aware of the
dangers of concussions. Electronic forms as well as paper copies are signed by all parents.

Lightning detection systems and hand held devices are activated at every sign of inclement
weather. Staff advise parents and coaches if fields need to be cleared. We have also adopted a
Lightning Policy with is given to all parents and coaches.

Heat Policy – SBCR has adopted a revised Heat Policy in line with the policy used by Georgia High
Schools. We have made it more restrictive to protect younger children.

Background checks are conducted on ALL adults working with our youth including coaches,
assistant coaches, team managers, dug out moms, officials, concessions workers, staff, etc.

Summer Camp Fire Drill – we have implemented and practiced with campers.

Volunteer Code of Conduct – SBCR worked with the County Attorney to revise the Volunteer
Code of Conduct to help protect our children.

Photo Release – we have added a photo release statement to all program registrations.

Medical Release/Doctors information – All coaches receive a listing of players medication
conditions and doctor preferences in their manuals in case of an emergency.

SBCR is an official Recovery Site for the American Red Cross.
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Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District II
Agency Award – South Bryan County Recreation, PO Box 3117, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Population Category: C
Outstanding Accomplishments over the past 12-month period

SBCR was awarded a $100,000 grant from Georgia Department of Natural Resources to connect
two existing walking trails and upgrade all to ADA standards.

SBCR successfully hosted the State Little League Baseball Tournament in 2012 and 2013 for the
11U and the 12U age groups.

Awarded $9,000 bonus for signing with Pepsi to use towards new scoreboards.

Hosted successful District II Football tournament at DeVaul Henderson Park.

Pioneered a girls volleyball program which has become the ONLY activity we have found to get
middle and high school girls involved in sports on the recreational level. The program started as
instructional and expanded to 8 teams.

Increased Summer Camp registration and provide quality summer camp getting kids outside and
active! SBCR offers ten weeks of fun and exciting programs full of activities including weekly
sports games in the gym and on the fields, trips to the pool, movies and a weekly field trip to the
Zoo, Aquarium, Water Park, etc.

12U Football team won the GRPA State Tournament

8U Boys Baseball took second in the GRPA District II Tournament and will advance to the State
Tournament

Wrestling Program placed 11th in the State of Georgia out of 149 registered programs!

Revitalized our marketing program creating a new image and increased community exposure.
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