Douglasville parks director highlights national award, expanded programs and newly renovated facilities

Shahara Thrasher, Douglasville’s parks and recreation director, told the Douglasville Impact podcast that the department won the 2024 national Gold Medal and is CAPRA accredited, achievements she said reflect expanded programs, renovated facilities and a push for greater inclusivity.

"We were the 2024 gold medal winners," Thrasher said, adding that CAPRA accreditation required meeting 154 standards and providing documented evidence of the department’s training, policies and operations. "You have to show proof of the work that you're doing"—from concussion trainings to volunteer background checks, she said.

Thrasher described several program expansions tied to the department’s strategy: a "Girls in Sports" initiative that now fields more than 200 youth volleyball participants and includes girls’ basketball, softball and flag football; therapeutic and adaptive offerings that include adaptive basketball and a free dance program for people with disabilities; and workforce-development and teen programs hosted at the city’s youth innovation lab.

The renovation of Jesse Davis Park, Thrasher said, is central to those changes. The facility now includes an accessible senior center (free for Douglasville residents, $30 for nonresidents), indoor and outdoor basketball courts, indoor and outdoor walking tracks, a fitness center, a busy pool (open Tuesday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m.) and an artificial-turf football field. The turf, she said, has allowed the department to host more sports and large events such as an expanded Easter egg hunt and 7-on-7 tournaments.

Fowler Field renovations are "almost there," Thrasher said; staff expect to announce reopening details this fall or winter. She added that reopening Jesse Davis first allowed the Fowler Field work to proceed.

Thrasher also highlighted neighborhood- and pocket-park investments, regular events (farmers market Tuesdays 3:00–6:30 p.m., Goals on the Green screenings and a movie-in-the-park on July 31 showing Lilo & Stitch at Jesse Davis Park), and West Pines Golf Club programming, including a "9 and 1" ladies’ social/lesson offering.

"We're always trying to find ways to get everyone included in recreation," Thrasher said, noting senior programming now has more than 600 members and that adaptive and youth programs aim to remove barriers.

The department directs residents seeking schedules, registration and program information to douglasvilleparks.com and the city website douglasvillega.gov for the public events calendar. Thrasher encouraged early registration for summer camps because slots fill quickly.

The podcast segment ended with Thrasher urging residents to check the parks website and the department newsletter for updates, program details and schedules.