City Of Milton: Board To Consider Alpharetta Pact On Softball, Football, Special Needs Camps

Press release from the City of Milton:

04/15/2021 1:18 PM

Milton’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will convene Thursday to discuss a possible agreement with Alpharetta to save Milton residents’ money while offering opportunities to participate in more programs – all at no cost to the City itself.

The proposed MOU, or Memorandum of Understanding, calls for residents of Alpharetta and Milton to pay the same resident fees to participate in either cities’ football, softball or special needs summer camp programs. Currently, Milton’s Parks and Recreation Department does not have a softball program or fields; conversely, the North Atlanta Football Program plays out of two fields in Milton and one in Alpharetta. (In past seasons, Alpharetta has provided two fields for football, and Milton has provided one.)

This is just one of many items on the agenda for the April 15 meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers. People can attend there, in person, or virtually using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96628619159.

Following a “public comment” period, at which anyone can weigh in on parks and recreation-related matters, there will be reports given on the following:

• Hopewell Baseball
• Eagle Stix, the City program partner for girls lacrosse
• The North Atlanta Football League (NAFL)
• Halftime Sports Basketball
• Milton Mustangs Swim Team, which trains and competes out of the City Pool at the former Milton Country Club
• Milton Tennis, based in the courts also at the former Milton Country Club
• Arts, including music and photography programs
• Adult programming, such as tai chi and also photography

The Board will then dig into the potential MOU with the City of Alpharetta described above. This will be followed by a discussion of a Junior Park Ranger Program that could take root in places like Providence Park.

City staff, and PRAB, will then discuss three potential new program partners. Specifically:

• Kidcreate Studio, a national chain (with a location in Johns Creek) that offers themed, age-appropriate painting, drawing and other arts classes
• Grindstone Fitness, a fitness training option with the focus on improving participants’ strength, speed, agility and cardiovascular endurance; Grindstone will be able to offer other programming as well such as yoga and Zumba
• TUFF Flag Football, a program that would be offered for adults to hit the gridiron – without being tackled

City staff will then share the latest on a number of important initiatives in Milton.

For instance, PRAB members will hear about pending plans to construct a new, ADA-approved trail, pier and new restrooms at Providence Park. Similarly, they’ll get a status report for what’s happening with the clubhouse renovations and more at the former Milton Country Club. 

The Board will then hear about the resumption of Camp Joyful Soles after last year’s hiatus. The popular camp for those aged 13-22 in the special needs community was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but plans to return this summer. People are signing up and counselors are being hired.

Lastly, City staff will share the latest on the City Pool off Dinsmore Road. It’s set to open to the public Memorial Day weekend with the same safety precautions put in place last year.

After Thursday, PRAB is next scheduled to meet on May 20.

This press release was produced by the City of Milton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.