Director’s Greeting
With joy, pleasure and a great sense of accomplishment, we present the Annual Report for the County of Augusta’s Parks & Recreation Department. Throughout this past fiscal year, the Parks & Recreation team of dedicated professionals continued to deliver high quality programs and services to our citizens. Connecting people through opportunities to recreate, socialize, gather and play remained a primary focus.
The positive experiences of 2023-2024 have us looking forward to 2024-2025 and the many possibilities it will bring.
This Report is an ideal way to reflect on the accomplishments of this most recent fiscal year (July 2023 – June 2024) and communicate all the work being done throughout the greater Augusta County community. There are many citizens and partners including community groups, organizations, and businesses that support this department’s efforts and consistently work with us to improve the quality of life for all. An unmeasurable amount of appreciation should be expressed to them and we look forward to maintaining those relationships for our future investment.
As with most public service agencies, our employees are our greatest resource. I am very fortunate to work with the collection of professional staff that serves your Department of Parks & Recreation. They are extremely dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable, and skilled. Being involved and connected to the community and understanding our community’s needs is, has been, and always will be their priority.
Our staff is very passionate about the future and sustainability of Augusta County and all that it offers including parks, a great variety of other recreational amenities, and an ever-expanding slate of recreational opportunities and experiences. You will find that Parks & Recreation in Augusta County will continue to strive for not only providing high quality now, but to leave lasting legacies for our residents and visitors alike for the decades to come.
As you review this report, please be encouraged to take a class, go on a trip, attend one of our planned events, visit our parks, teach a class, or reach out to us and volunteer. We’d love for you to stay involved or get involved with your community through the work that our department does. Make plans now as the calendar turns to
Meet Our Team
NORTHRIVER
PASTURES
MIDDLERIVER
BEVERLEYMANOR
WAYNE
SOUTHRIVER
RIVERHEADS
LARRY CURRY
LEON BARTLEY
ANNE GORDON
ERNIE LANDES
SAMANTHA BOSSERMAN
STEVE BRIDGE
Andy Wells Director
Pam Mowery Administrative Assistant
Joyce Johnson Recreation Manager
Lauren Jacobsen Program Coordinator for Trips and Activities
Charley Schillinger Promotions and Special Events Coordinator
Scott Farris Parks Services Manager
Kelly Rourke Natural Chimneys Park Coordinator
Ashley Rhodes Program Technician
Morgan Neary Campground Attendant
Dannise Brown Campground Attendant
Commission theparks&rec
SALLY WILLIAMS serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors in recommending policies related to recreation programming, constantly reassessing recreation needs to provide year-round supervised recreation for the citizens of
Augusta County.
The Commission is composed of seven members appointed for four-year terms by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors.
As you review this report, please be encouraged to take a class, go on a trip, attend one of our planned events, visit our parks, teach a class, or reach out to us and volunteer.
At A Glance
Meeting the needs of the community every step of the way.
Any parks and recreation department’s primary goal is to motivate and assist individuals in living healthy and fulfilled lives. To help us show how we achieve this goal, we’ve used Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. A psychological theory that proposes that the needs of people can be categorized into 5 stages with each stage relying on the prior level being satisfied in order for the next to be realized.
Read on to learn about all the ways we use this to meet the needs of residents in
"If bread is the first necessity of life, recreation is a close second,"
- Edward Bellamy
Visit our Parks!
Parks and green spaces provide an opportunity for individuals to fulfill nearly every basic human need. From the most basic physiologial needs to more complex mental health needs.
Parks provide:
Improved air quality
Space for physical activity
Safe outdoor play opportunities
Increased property values
Increased community well being
Free space to gather
Positive mental health benefits
Whether it’s going for a walk, playing sports, or gathering for a family picnic, parks provide a clean, safe, and free place to indulge in all forms of outdoor recreation. All fields, shelters, courts, trails, and waterfronts are available for use, free of charge, on a first come, first served basis.
ACPR accepts paid reservations for use of the picnic shelters and ballfields. Reservations are inexpensive, making up only 4% of our total revenue stream and allow us to continue to provide quality services and amenities to thousands of park goers each year.
Aquatics 15.1K
Pools are great way to engage in , monitored Swimming is a great way to achieve and maintain go provides an opportunity to improve water confidence encourages social interaction with a shared interest. Pools also become essential during extreme heat, p an accessible cooling to individuals acr social and economical demographics.
FREE pool entries given in partnership with the
2029
7.2K
Swimmers
129
Kids in swim lessons 100
20
7.9K
Swimmers 208 pool passes sold Pool Party Rentals
Swim lessons in early childhood can provide a number of skills and benefits. Swimming helps children develop muscles, improve their balance and coordination, and strengthen their lungs and heart. Swimming increases stamina, builds neurons in the brain, and assists in language development. Children who learn to swim early develop a cushion of safety that opens the world of water recreation to them that is immensely enriching.
vities
earn new life skills to navigate the world!
Recreational activities offer a platform for individuals to learn
131 774 Activities Attendees new skills!
Whether it’s sports or arts and crafts, money management or health awareness, Augusta County Parks and Recreation promotes a wide variety of opportunities for and personal development that in turn boost confidence and self esteem, foster communication and teamwork, create a sense of , and increase an individual’s overall
lifelong learning community & belonging well-being!
Parks and Recreation received offices and activity rooms in April of 2024! This new space has endless opportunity for us to expand programs, activities, and events!
Events bring people and resources
Creating an environment that is fun and welcoming to all members of a Events also provide an opportunity for community members to , , and feel a sense of All special events at ACPR are also to attend. Reducing some barriers of income inequality in our area. community. together! give back accomplishment!engage FREE
1500
Attendees
200
300
This year, ACPR hosted events serving a total of people. In partnership with over businesses and organizations, sponsors, and food trucks! 4,589 75 25 8
2K+ Attendees Attendees Attendees Attendees Attendees
289
T77 Attendees
When people feel their basic physiological and safety needs are met, and feel secure in their communities, they Many trips provide an opportunity for individuals to foster , pursue , experience cultural , and engage in activities that build Trips combine and
1,415 77
From Asheville, North Carolina to Cape Cod, Massachusetts; ACPR ventured to different destinations! travelers came along for the ride to sight-see, shop, tour, eat, explore, and so much more! What do you want to S.E.E?
shop eat explore
Parks and recreation departments serve as an “engine” that drives tourism, not only in our community, but also in the communities we visit! Trips support a number of different industries from transportation and restaurants, to hospitality and retail. This is especially true for our This past year we visited the Biltmore Estate AND Cape Cod.
Where will we go next? overnight trips.
Campground
Park
Natural Chimneys is a and Campground that features a , offers , and hosts
Plus many people travel to see this geological wonder.
Natural Chimneys is a popular destination for groups and families from all over the county, the state, the nation, and the
Pool Events! Activities Trip World!
Who visits here and why?
Natural Chimneys is a famous destination spot for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, runners, bikers, and more! Many visit to see the natural wonder of towering limestone formations rising as much as 120 feet above the ground, displaying 500 million years of Earth’s geological history. Over the years these natural structures have inspired many artists and served as a backdrop to countless community gatherings and events, large and small. In this past year, Natural Chimneys was home to our annual Fall Movie Night, two jousting tournaments, Red Wing Roots and Music Festival, the Shen 500 and Grindstone Trail Running Festival.
self actualization!
Natural Chimneys Park and Campground provides visitors of all kinds a variety of opportunities to achieve From top to bottom, this park provides ways for individuals to fulfill their physiological needs regularly, plus provides safety and shelter with amenities and facilities.
Many classes and group gatherings are held at this park, from nature walks and hikes, such as the Bat Walk with the Bat Conservation & Rescue of VA, to natural resource competitions such as the Envirothon with the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
Other Organizations that use the Chimneys (that we know of)
Play here, stay here, shop here!
What is a campground without a camp store? In it’s second year of operation, the store continues to be a favorite for campers and visitors alike! Selling everything from everyday camping and recreational essentials such as ice and firewood, to sweet treats and souvenirs!
Here are some fun facts about our camp store:
Top selling item after ice and firewood was Cow Tales Caramel Ice cream dominates our top 10 best sellers
Most sold beverage: Dasani water
We sold 146 more Natural Chimneys stickers than magnets
Most sold soda: Coca-Cola
Most sold sports drink: Blue Powerade
Most sold chips: Rt 11 Dill Pick Chips
Most sold Ice Cream: Banjo Stick Bar
Outreach We go everywhere!
When you can’t come to us, we come to you! This year’s outreach efforts included visits to the Augusta County Library’s Summer Reading Finale, the annual SAW Style Clothing event, Adventures at the Museum, and Community Health Awareness Day!
How do we reach all 127.3k+ residents of the SAW area?
Mail 116.7K activity guides to all Augusta County households, as well as residents in the surrounding area that sign up for our mailing list
Send a monthly newsletter and periodic special announcements directly to 6.9K subscribers.
Post, engage, and communicate with nearly 10K followers across 3 Facebook Pages and 1 Instagram page
The SAW area consists of Augusta County, two independent cities, Staunton and Waynesboro, as well as portions of neighboring counties Rockingham and Rockbridge.
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