Today we checked out a new to us park for its magnificent sliding rocks and old school playground. We were greeted by friendly folks and made friends all over the park. It was a good time and should be more of an Athens area staple (in my little corners of Athens at least) in the child friendly circles. Not far from our home, but in Oconee County, it's worth the short drive out of Athens-Clarke County.
There were clean up efforts for Calls Creek which runs through Harris Shoals Park just last year. It is my impression that Oconee County residents have pulled together and rallied around the creek creating Friends of Calls Creek and frequent monitoring. Activism on the local level is incredibly important to large and small communities, it is something we will be covering frequently during our Field Trip Fridays. Sticking with our theme of water cycles and stream preservation this was the perfect spot for a visit this week of soft homeschooling.
As a child I have fond memories of spending days sliding down Flint Rock in Columbus, Georgia. When visiting Watson Mill David and I have often commented that rock sliding seems much more dangerous than it ever did as youngsters. Now it's our children's turn and they seem about as phased by the slipperiness of wet rocks as we once were, not to mention just as fluid and limber. Note to parents of the smallest children: I left my carriers in the car and that was a no go. Meriwether (1yr) wanted to slide just as much as Singer (5) and Silas (3) did, so a carrier is a must for the younger crowd.
Rain set in and we took cover for a bit at the van, due to my camera. The precipitation barely lasted 5 minutes, so the inseparable twosome ran straight to the park and blew down the old school slide. Another note of caution, when the slide or your person is wet you certainly gain some speed, this first slide was no problem other than A LOT of dirt, But the plastic slide was, Singer busted her fanny and fingers. There's a lot more playground, mostly wooden planks and these awesome tires to crawl through. You also have the option of a modern playground with the plastic slides to the left of the older structure, but our crew preferred the green wooden maze. A major bonus of this area is the shade, you also have the option of hiking trails. We will hit those up with a group or Papa.
What to bring: water, towels, bathing suit, change of clothes, baby carrier if applicable. Caution: the rocks are slippery.