(Lawrenceville, GA., June 30, 2016) – This July, Gwinnett County residents don’t need to be bitten by a radioactive spider to discover that they have super powers. They just need to visit their nearest park or recreation center to find super powers they didn’t know they had. Parks and Recreation Month is an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and all the ways parks and recreation transform our daily lives. From providing us places to get fit and stay healthy to fostering new relationships and forging a connection with nature, our close-to-home community park and recreation facilities provide essential services and improve quality of life.

Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) will kick off the celebration with a proclamation by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on July 5, at 2 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Dr. in Lawrenceville. The month will continue with ongoing activities and special events:

• July 1 at 1 p.m. – Watermelon, White, and Blue at Prime Timers Pointe at George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Hwy., Suwanee. Seniors, age 50 and up can enjoy a dessert social with light refreshments. $2/person; pre-register online with code GPP32902 or call 678-277-0910.
• July 4 through July 8 – Swim Safely Week at various Gwinnett County Aquatic Facilities with games, activities and prizes given throughout the week. Times and locations can be found at www.gwinnettparks.com.
• July 9 at 11 a.m. – ScavengART at Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake. A scavenger hunt with an artistic twist! Gather a list of goodies from nature, and then bring them back to the Community Recreation Center to create a free take home craft. All ages; call 678-277-0920.
• July 9 at 6:30 p.m. – Hawaiian Luau at Mountain Park Aquatic Center, 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. A fun, Therapeutic Recreation event specifically for those with disabilities and their families. Fun games, hula hoop contest, tropical snacks, limbo contest and traditional Hawaiian leis. All participants, including caregivers must pay to participate. All ages, $8/person. Register online with code MPA3310 or call 678-277-0906 or 678-277-0870. All pool rules apply.
• July 11 at 2 p.m. – Super! Movie Matinee at Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. Seniors, age 50 and up can bring a friend to enjoy popcorn, soda and a showing of Joy. $2/person.
• July 12 at 6:30 p.m. – Dip N’ Dine at Mountain Park Aquatic Center, 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. Take a dip and dine at the pool! Chick-Fil-A and Kona Ice will be available to purchase dinner and dessert. All ages, regular admission fees and pool rules apply; twilight rates do not apply. 
• July 15 at 11 a.m. – Brown Bag Concert at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. This is a free event featuring the interactive sounds of Havana Son, plus lawn games, superhero photo booth, face painting and kid’s activities.
• July 15 at 7 p.m. – Superhero Family Night Swim at Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center, 2200 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville. Superhero themed swimming and activities. Regular entry fees and all pool rules apply; twilight rates do not apply. Call 770-237-5647.
• July 16 at 5 p.m. – Superhero Saturday at Lenora Park, 4515 Lenora Church Rd., Snellville. A free event with kids’ activities, face painting, music, superhero character appearance, food truck, photo booth and more! At dusk, stay for the free showing of Kung Fu Panda 3, sponsored by B98.5. Call 770-822-8840.
• July 20 at 6:30 p.m. – Double Dip: Ice Cream Day at Mountain Park Aquatic Center, 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with swimming, fun games like “pin the cherry on the ice cream cone” and a no hands ice cream eating contest! All ages, $6/person. All pool rules apply. Call 678-277-0870.
• July 21 at 7 p.m. – Super Family Night at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center, 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. Celebrate superhero style! Enjoy fun Superhero themed swimming, crafts and activities. All pool rules and admission fees apply. Call 678-277-0880.
• July 22 at 6 p.m. – Super Powered Kids Night Out at Mountain Park Activity Building, 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. Put your superhero powers in gear and enjoy an action-packed night with pizza, ice cream and cool activities while parents enjoy a night out. Ages 7 to 13, $12/child, must pre-register by July 20 online with code MPA31401 or call 678-277-0179.
• July  23 at 9:30 a.m. – Battleship Game Day at West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center, 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake. Take part in an immersive game of Battleship with a Dodgeball twist. Players on each team will be given a “ship” to ride which must be sunk by the opposing team. Teams will be divided in age appropriate groups in both indoor pools. All ages, regular admission and pool rules apply. Call 678-409-8801.
• July 23 at 6:30 p.m. – Wild Rumpus Pool Party at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center, 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. Bring a swimsuit, towel and change of clothes to let the wild rumpus begin! Enjoy fun swim activities and snacks. All pool rules apply. All ages, $8/person. Kids 3 and under are free, pre-register by July13 online with code BEP35100 or call 678-277-0880.
• July 30 at 9 a.m. – Punt, Pass and Kick at Rhodes Jordan Park Soccer Fields, 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville. Free event for kids to take part in NFL’s national competition! Boys and girls of all ages compete separately in their own age group in punting, passing and kicking. Earn the chance to advance to a regional and state level competition at the Georgia Dome. A valid birth certificate, complete entry form and parental signature are required before competition. Ages 6-15. Call 678-277-0860 for more information.

Other events will include month-long Kid’s Art Show at each of the Community Recreation Centers and Aquatic Centers. Supplies for kids to create their own art are provided. New this year, is NRPA’s selfie photo contest with a different theme each week. The contest can be entered via Facebook or by uploading a photo to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #SuperParkSelfie. A $500 Amazon gift card will be awarded weekly. Visit www.nrpa.org/July for official rules and details. GCPR is encouraging everyone to share their photos and love of parks using the hashtag #SuperJuly on social media. The themes for the contest are:

• July 4-10: Selfie with nature
• July 11-17: Selfie doing something healthy
• July 18-24: Selfie with your friends and community
• July 25-31: Selfie showing your superhero side

To learn more about Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, visit www.gwinnettparks.com.