The long-awaited Hammond ramps, located within the city limits of Sandy Springs, will open to the public September 2. The ramps will offer access for the first time to Georgia 400 at Hammond Drive.

"By adding this connection between Georgia 400 and Hammond Drive, these new ramps into Sandy Springs will help relieve congestion and enhance access to our community," said Eva Galambos, mayor of the City of Sandy Springs. "I congratulate Georgia Department of Transportation and the contractor for getting this job done on time." 

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Repairs to the Spalding Drive bridge over Ball Mill Creek began last week with the installation of a water barrier and a rock wall to stabilize the bridge. The City would like to thank residents for their patience during this critical repair work, and the public is asked to use extreme caution and maintain the posted speed limit in the residential areas along the detour route. A detour map is available that includes the primary as well as alternate detour routes. Complete details of the bridge repair work are posted on the City's website.

The Sandy Springs Police Department is hosting an open house at their new headquarters on Thursday, September 14, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Officers and volunteers will be on hand to assist residents and citizens interested in seeing the new administrative and operations buildings. Both buildings are located alongside City Hall in the Morgan Falls Office Complex at 7840 Roswell Road.

Visit the City's website to view a map and directions to the new headquarters.

Have you seen the new Citizen Patrol in your neighborhood? The patrol is comprised of 15 Sandy Springs residents who have committed their time to serving our community. Each volunteer completed an 11-week citizen's police academy, a 12-week Citizens on Patrol training course, and an 8-hour emergency vehicle operations course.

When the patrol is not supporting the Police Department on the scene of traffic accidents and other incidents, they are patrolling neighborhoods. When a crime in progress is observed, the patrol retreats to a safe position and radios dispatch to send Sandy Springs Police Officers.

Check out media coverage of the Citizen Patrol on wsbtv.com and cbsatlanta.com.  

The Sandy Springs Police Department offers a free teen and parent driving safety course known as Georgia Teens Ride With P.R.I.D.E. (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error). 

This National Award winning two-hour course is designed to help parents and their new (or soon to be) teen drivers ages 14-16 learn what they need to accomplish during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia law. Rather than addressing technical driving skills, this course addresses driver attitude, knowledge and behavior of both the parent and the new teen driver. There are no attendance restrictions except that a parent must accompany each teen.

Topics covered during the course include:

• Teen Drivers and Motor Vehicle Crashes;
• Understanding the Licensing Process and Georgia's Teen Driving Laws;
• Parents: Coaching Your New Driver; and 
• Teens: Getting the Keys to the Wheels and Keeping Them.

The course takes place on the fourth Wednesday of every month, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. To register, e-mail Officer Shelly Weed.

The City of Sandy Springs recently installed 21 solar powered speed radar signs in school zones and other locations identified as critical to the safety of residents and students.

Improving safety and pedestrian access to local schools is an ongoing priority for the City of Sandy Springs. Since incorporation, the City has constructed over five miles of sidewalks within a half mile radius of local public schools. Sandy Springs has also installed solar flashers at school crossing zones. 

Residents of Sandy Springs have access to a free basic gun-safety class provided by the City's Police Department through a partnership with the Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range.

"This program not only teaches firearm safety to the participating residents. The participants share that knowledge with their friends and families," said Officer Larry Jacobs of the Sandy Springs Police Department. "This kind of training genuinely saves lives and yet it is an enjoyable evening for everybody involved."
 
Instruction during the three-hour class is provided by a certified firearms instructor and includes safety, liability and firearm fundamental knowledge. Participants can bring their personal firearms, ammunition and safety items to the class or rent equipment from the gun club at reasonable rates. Each student receives a free gun-lock upon completion of the class.
 
There is a 15 person maximum for each class, and they book up fast, so contact Officer Jacobs to be added to the waiting list. 

Recreation Classes 

• Music Together (ages birth-5)
• Create It Theater Act 1 and Act 2 (ages 6-13)
• Preschool Fun Language Classes (ages 18 mos-4 years)
• Double Dutch Jump Rope How to Clinic (Ages 6-Adult)
• Bullies Bees & Boys (Girls Ages 8-13)
• Introduction to Tennis (ages 5-14)
• SporTots (ages 2-5)
• Karate (ages 6-adult)
• Cheerleading (co-ed ages 8-18)
• Capoeria (ages 6-adult)
• Etiquette & Cooking For Kids (co-ed ages 4-14)

Events 

• Fall Equinox Stargazing (all ages)
• Mostly Mime Theater Production (all ages)

Athletics 

• Youth Soccer Leagues (grades PK-5th)
• Youth Lacrosse Program (boys grades 2nd-5th)
• Youth Golf Clinics (Boys grades 2nd-5th)
• Free Play Afterschool Kickball League (boys/girls grades 2nd-5th)
• Girls Slow Pitch Softball Teen League (ages 13-18)
• Holiday Hoops 2 On 2 Basketball Skills Challenge (boys/girls grades 6th-8th)
• Youth Basketball Intramural League (boys/girls grades 2nd-5th)
• 17 & under Teen Basketball League (ages 15-17)
• Adult Volleyball Leagues (Ages 18 & up)

Gymnastics 

• Parent/ Toddler & Preschool Gymnastics (ages 18 mos-5 years)
• Artistic Gymnastics (ages 5-adult)
• Tumbling (co-ed ages 8 & up)
• Pre Team & Team Artistic Gymnastics (girls age 6-15)
• Rhythmic Gymnastics (girls ages 5-17)
• Team Rhythmic Gymnastics (girls ages 7-17)

For additional information Download the Fall 2011 Recreation and Parks brochure (pdf) or call 770-206-2035.

Participants may register for programs online 24 hours a day using Activenet or by visiting the Recreation and Parks office located in the Hammond Park Gymnastics building at 705 Hammond Drive.  Office hours are Monday-Friday 10-12:00 am and 1:30-5:00 pm.