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Recreation and Parks aims to boost Blythe Island occupancy, fill seasonal jobs and maintain playground safety
Summary
Glynn County Recreation and Parks reported a 39% average occupancy rate at the Blythe Island campground so far this fiscal year, plans to fill seasonal staffing to 95%, and says it inspects playgrounds quarterly while pursuing a dedicated playground-safety staff position.
Glynn County’s Recreation and Parks department told commissioners it is tracking campground occupancy and workforce targets while maintaining playground inspections and completing maintenance projects across county parks.
Alyssa (Lisa) Gorganes, Recreation and Parks, said Blythe Island Regional Park — a 97‑site RV campground — averaged about 39% daily occupancy from July through January this fiscal year, down from 45% in the same period the prior year. Gorganes cited hurricane and winter storm events as a factor and said the park was fully booked the coming weekend.
The department set a seasonal‑staffing target for 2025 to fill 95% of 55 seasonal positions; Gorganes said recruiting was ongoing and previous rehiring rates were lower because many seasonal employees move on to school or internships.
Playground inspections are also a priority. Recreation and Parks staff track 28 playgrounds and said they perform quarterly inspections to national standards; the department is seeking a full‑time position focused on playground inspection and maintenance. “This is 1 of the greatest liabilities we do have, with regard to kids' safety,” Gorganes said, noting that inspections are more thorough than a casual visual sweep and that the county uses certified inspectors.
The department highlighted recent and upcoming capital work: shade structures at the St. Simons Pier, restroom renovations at Blythe Island to support an inclusive playground, gym floor replacement at Selden Park, batting‑cage construction at Ballard Park under SPLOST, and other facility work. Officials said they are coordinating with public‑works crews on site work and plan outreach to promote Blythe Island, including potential partnership with the county’s CVB for marketing and rack cards.
Why it matters: occupancy and program participation affect revenue and park access; inspection and staffing levels affect safety for thousands of residents and visitors. The department said it will continue quarterly reporting and adjust hiring, outreach and maintenance work to meet park-use and safety goals.
