By taking steps to ensure a safe, quality playing environment for children, the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency (CRPA) recently earned the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation. CRPA met key requirements in five categories: Written Policies and Procedures, Volunteer Screening, Coach Training, Parent Education, and Accountability.  

We recognized that we have to actively demonstrate that we are providing youth sports programs of the highest standard, said CRPA Director Jay Worley. Parents have many choices
when it comes to youth sports, so the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation is an important promotional tool to allow our organization to set ourselves apart and give parents confidence in our programs, since they can take comfort knowing their child is in the best place possible to learn and compete in sports.

The National Alliance for Youth Sports, a 501(c)3 organization headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, administratively manages the designation that was developed around the National Standards for Youth Sports, a guiding resource originally published in 1987. Any organization can apply to be evaluated for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation, and no cost is involved.

CRPAs designation is valid until December 31, 2021. More information can be found at NAYS.org/quality.

At a recent meeting, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners awarded a professional services agreement to Tunnell, Spangler & Associates in the amount of $48,545 to develop a parks and trails area plan for southwest Cherokee.

Developing the parks and trails plan is the beginning of long-anticipated project that will bring much needed recreation to southwest Cherokee, said District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale. Through this plan, we will select the best location for recreation activities and also determine the appropriate type of activities for this area.

The parks and trails area plan will study four parcels of land located in the southwest portion of the county, three owned by Cherokee County and one owned by the Cherokee County School District. The plan will recommend a system of parks and arterial trails around the park(s) within the study area. The scope of work will include an analysis of the properties; a robust public participation plan; and an analysis of recreation, parks, and trails needs and opportunities. The resulting plan will include drawings, narrative reports, and cost estimates.

We estimate the plan will take roughly seven months to complete, said Cherokee County Community Development Agency Director Bryan Reynolds.

In order to help meet the overwhelming health care needs of impoverished residents, MUST Ministries has teamed up with Mercy Care to offer essential medical care.

This much-anticipated partnership was made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Georgia Baptist Healthcare Foundation of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Twice each week, Mercy Care will provide a medical team, and MUST will provide the clinic space at 1407 Cobb Parkway North, Marietta.

We are delighted to be able to offer this important service to our clients and others in the community who cannot afford basic health care, said Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST Ministries. The addition of health care completes our circle of wrap-around services that include food, housing, jobs, and clothing. We are a more comprehensive organization when we add the important component of health care, and our goal is always to help those in need be supported in a way that moves them toward stability.

The organization offers primary care, behavioral health, child and adolescent psychiatry, dental and vision services, as well as an array of critical services and case management. Self-pay discounts are offered based on household income, and most major insurance plans are accepted including Medicaid and Medicare.

Mercy Care provides services to nearly 15,000 patients a year, including 75% who are uninsured and 67% who are homeless. Monday and Wednesday hours are 8:30am-4:00pm. Appointments are required by calling 678-843-8600.

In an effort to offer more disposal options and better serve City of Canton residents, free trash disposal is being offered to all residents at the Canton City collection site, located at 2525 Ridge Road.

Items allowed include old lumber, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, metal, air conditioners, water heaters, carpet, freezers/refrigerators (emptied of food and tagged as being freon free), household items (e.g., furniture, couches, tables). Additionally, the facility provides single stream glass recycling.

Items not permitted include paints, oils, chemicals, brush, leaves, roof shingles, tires, and commercial waste. The site is not available for dump trucks or dump trailers.

The collection site is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday-Saturday from 7:00am-4:00pm (closed from 1:00-2:00pm for lunch). Please bring a valid drivers license with a City of Canton address.

This is a self-service site available for City of Canton residents only. For more information, call 770-720-7674.

Are you looking for opportunities to get involved with the City of Canton? Use your talents, time, and passions to participate in boards, commissions, committees, and authorities of the City, or simply volunteer to help with needs as they arise. The mayor and council discussed launching an application process for citizens to learn about and showcase a desire to participate in varied roles with Canton. This new two-page application is available online to complete and email back to the City.

These applications will be used by staff and elected officials to find potential members for volunteer boards and opportunities throughout the year. The online application includes a description of each working group. To get involved, please visit CantonGa.gov/howdoi/get/default.htm.

Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute has expanded, with new locations in Canton (145 Riverstone Terrace) and Holly Springs (684 Sixes Road).

Our focus is to provide integrated, high-quality cardiovascular care to patients across north Georgia, said Dr. Jeffrey Marshall, chief of Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute. Our full and expanding range of cardiovascular services include consultative cardiology, advanced heart failure, cardio-oncology, echocardiography, stress testing, cardiac CT, heart catheterization and angioplasty, and in some locations, the ability to perform structural heart procedures like valve repair and replacement.

The renowned researchers and cardiologists at Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute offer comprehensive cardiovascular care, performing state-of-the-art techniques in interventional cardiology, cardio-oncology, advanced heart failure care, electrophysiology, and imaging. For more information, visit NorthsideCVI.com.

The extension of the Etowah River Trail network continues along the river. Two projects that link the area below I-575 are on schedule to be completed later in 2020 through funding from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and Impact Fee revenues.

As work continues in these areas, the Georgia Department of Transportation is working to stabilize stream bank areas.

The City is also reviewing proposals for re-decking the Etowah River Trail bridge, which connects Etowah River Park (ERP) to Heritage Park, as well as working on the launch site at ERP. When the trail is complete, it will include an additional 1.5 miles of hard surface trail length and additional natural surface wooded trail areas.