Gwinnett Community Services

Gwinnett parks include a fort, historical sites & plenty of room to run, play–and learn

With 50 parks scattered throughout its 437 square miles, Gwinnett County, especially through its Department of Parks and Recreation works to create a sense of community and enhance Gwinnett’s quality of life. Saturday ballgames and walking trails just scratch the surface. Gwinnett’s parks include a fort and other historical structures and sites; indoor classes; aquatics; art shows; dances; outdoor programs; gardening; play dates; book clubs and a list activities, special events and opportunities that fills its website.

“Our award-winning system offers over 5,000 experiences on an annual basis with nearly 500,000 participants,” said Chris Minor, division director for Gwinnett’s Parks and Recreation. “With over 100 miles of trails and 10,000 acres of park land, our trails and outdoor spaces provide ample space for self-led recreation and opportunities to connect with nature or to gather with friends and family. Through our sister division in Community Engagement and Collaboration, we are also able to bring parks to the people through Live Healthy Gwinnett’s mobile recreation program, Be Active Gwinnett.”

Gwinnett boasts year-round recreation classes, special events, summer day camps, skate complexes, leisure activities, art classes, swimming pools, tennis courts, disc golf courses, sports field and recreation centers filled with activities and events for everyone from infants to senior citizens. The Parks and Recreation Department also offers a range of facilities to rent for birthday parties and other gatherings.

“In the 2020 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Gwinnett residents expressed a strong appreciation for the ‘Gwinnett Standard’ that is present in the parks and recreation system,” Minor said. “The Gwinnett Standard is an expectation of excellence in service, stewardship and integrity in everything we do and it is what the parks and recreation division strives for on a daily basis.”

Minor praised the employees of Gwinnett Parks and Recreation saying they are “passionate about the system and strive to be the best every single day.” In addition, the department is always looking for new members to join its team. The division director also said its operations would not be possible without its “robust volunteer base” that helps with everything from summer feeding, athletics, habitat restoration and engaging the diverse community in the county through bilingual events.

For more information and to find the calendar of events, as well as take virtual tours of Gwinnett’s parks, visit https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/Departments/CommunityServices/ParksandRecreation.

“Gwinnett parks are important because parks build communities,” Minor said. “Friendships and networks develop at ball fields, courts and special events. Parks protect communities that do not have voice, such as animals and insects. Parks provide valuable habitats for a variety of species of flora and fauna. Being able to hold conservation easements in a rapidly developing county is crucial to protecting the environmental diversity of the region. It also makes sure that amazing views in parks are protected for years to come.”