Henry County Parks and Recreation has partnered with the Henry County Police Department and the McDonough Housing Authority to launch Henry County’s first mobile recreation unit, Rec N’ Roll.

Rec N’ Roll (RNR) brings games and activities to Henry County children who may not otherwise have easy access to recreation services or facilities. RNR made its first stop on October 19 at Weaver Thurman Crossing. Henry County Police Department’s ACE Unit, McDonough Housing Authority executives, and Parks and Rec staff spent two hours playing basketball, football and frisbee with children in the neighborhood.

“Rec N’ Roll is part of our commitment to inclusion and equity,” said Jonathon Penn, Henry County Leisure Services Cluster Lead. “By bringing recreation services directly to a community, we eliminate barriers that may prevent that community from participating in our traditional services. It’s a lot easier to get to a rec center when that rec center is in your back yard.”

Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Donna Holder oversaw the planning and launch of Rec N’ Roll. “Thanks to the efforts of hardworking staff and volunteers, we were able to change the definition of recreation in Henry County,” she said. “The Police Department and the Housing Authority helped us open a door to underserved populations in our community. The positive impact of that door will be felt for years.”

HCPD shared Parks and Rec’s enthusiasm for Rec N’ Roll. “RNR is a new and fun way to engage the community in an informal way,” said Sergeant Dwight Johnson. “The officers enjoyed interacting with the kids, and it showed the community a different side of law enforcement.”

As Rec N’ Roll expands, it will visit other locations determined by conversations with community partners and the Henry County public. Parks and Recreation wants your feedback on Rec N’ Roll. To suggest a location or find out more about the program, contact Thomas White at mtwhite@co.henry.ga.us or 770-288-7300.