Southwest Georgians head outdoors for the summer
Variety of summer activities available for sun lovers
By Gypsy Crow
ALBANY — In case anyone hasn’t stepped outdoors in a few months, summer is here and the sun is turned up to full blast.
If you noticed you no longer have to creep through school zones every morning, this is why. Summer only officially began a few days ago, but southwest Georgians know how arbitrary that day can be. Some in the region have been out and about taking advantage of the variety of activities available to people looking to get off the couch.
There are many affordable options for people of all ages around the Albany area. Downtown is growing at a steady rate with new restaurants, an art cafe, a brewery and all of the fresh air one could need. Parking is free, and it’s a great place to bring kids. Grab your keys, your sunscreen and head down to Front Street to enjoy a weekend at the river.
Turtle Grove Park has a playground for kids and a splash pad for them to, well, splash around in. You may have seen the fountain jets before and thought “What a strange art instillation,” but no, these are ready for kids to put on the swimsuits and play in anytime. There’s an ice cream shop around the corner when you need to cool down.
“We like to come out here every so often,” Dawn Cutchens said as her son played in the cooling splash pad. “We try to come out when it’s not too hot, and luckily it’s not very hot yet.”
Grab the dog or your partner and stroll down Riverfront Trail. The trail follows the river and passes safely under the bridges for people who don’t like crossing the street. The Riverfront Trail is 2.4 miles from Riverfront Park to Cox Landing on Philema Road. The Flint RiverQuarium and Thronateeska Heritage Center are located conveniently near the park.
A local favorite year ‘round is Chehaw park. People of all ages can enjoy the zoo and the rest of the park. There is a playground, BMX bike tracks, camping grounds, a petting zoo and, of course, the zoo, where people can see different kinds of animals. For less than $10 a person, locals can exit the normal world and walk through a heavily wooded area inhabited by lemurs, cheetahs and bears. Oh my. It’s safe, fun, and there are snow cones at the concessions hut.
Spencer Wade expressed his interest in the outdoors and exploring the area.
“During the summer, we come here and we’re hoping to go to some other places soon, including Providence Canyon,” Wade said.
Providence Canyon, also known as “The Little Grand Canyon,” is a site any Georgian should be sure to see. It’s located in Lumpkin.
For those not wanting to fight the heat, there is the AMC Classic movie theater and the All-American Fun Park with mini golf, bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, an arcade, go-karts and more.
Summer is a time to grill and a time for fish. Fry up your own catch or head to one of the local restaurants to treat yourself to some local catfish. Have a barbecue with the family and see what you can come up with. A burger with grilled pineapple and Gouda maybe? Maybe have an outdoor taco night with grilled strips of skirt steak, a fresh, homemade salsa and grilled corn on the cob.
If you haven’t noticed, Independence Day is just around the corner and so are the fireworks. Celebrate America in style, but don’t forget to secure your pets indoors.
However you choose to spend your summer and weekends, keep it safe and remember to stay hydrated.
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