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RECREATION EVERYWHERE FOR EVERYONE Walker, a veteran recreation professional who hails from Columbus, Georgia, came up through the ranks of MBC Parks and Recreation a er being initially hired as the youth athletic coordinator in 2006. A er briefly leaving for a position in Atlanta as a center director, he returned to work under former director Reginald Moore and has stayed in the community ever since. On the department's website, Walker states that he has challenged his staff to be a positive influence in the lives of the community. "We must exercise our due diligence by providing participants with opportunities to access healthier foods, engage in physical activity, and making lifestyle changes," Walker said. "Nutrition education and resources that we offer will not only assist us in completing our mission but will allow us to create and support lifestyle changes for our citizens." Some might be surprised to find out how many resources are needed to carry out this mission, but there are more than 150,000 citizens in Bibb County and over 450,000 in the metropolitan area who may use the facilities. In a dynamic regional hub of this size, parks and recreation covers not only the traditional green spaces and community centers, but also grand spaces like the nearly 1800 acres of Lake Tobeso ee with 35 miles of shoreline, or the historic 18-hole Bowden Golf Course. No matter the need, MBC Parks and Recreation has it covered. Residents can choose to participate in activities across athletics, enrichment, camps, special events, interpretive and environmental action, and cultural arts. Special populations programming for seniors, youth, and those with physical and developmental disabilities is also available. Inside parks and rec centers, one can find unique programs focused on teaching media and online content creation to teens, boxing for all ages, adaptive sports and enrichment, and music industry-related training. Facility-wise, there are 10 recreation centers to choose from in every part of the county. In addition, residents can rent internal and external rec center spaces for various uses for nominal fees. For example, the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center is more than the name suggests; the building was rented in the past year as both the site of a wedding ceremony and reception as well as a pop-up outdoor film screening spotlighting the unique stories of Macon's intellectual and developmental disability community. If golf and tennis are your thing, you can choose from a smorgasbord of opportunities. The county-run historic Bowden Golf Course in East Macon has a full day of play in 18 holes, o en the site of tournaments and other events. It has been the site of affordable play for local novices, amateurs, and professionals since 1940. Tennis facilities with a multitude of courts can be found in three convenient locations: the John Drew Tennis Center in North Macon, Tattnall Tennis Center in Tattnall Square Park in Central Macon, and South Bibb Recreation Center near the Bibb-Houston County line. All three facilities also have pickleball courts and classes in both disciplines. New to those sports? Use your summer to explore America's fastest growing sport in a Pickleball 101 class, or get the kids out of PICTURED: ROSA JACKSON COMMUNITY CENTER - SPRING BREAK BASKETBALL CAMP. ELAINE LUCAS SENIOR CENTER - SENIOR PROGRAMMING. APRIL/MAY 2023 | maconmagazine.com 73