Tucker, GA — Tucker Parks and Recreation department is running full steam ahead on summer programming, director Rip Robertson announced on May 10.

“People are looking for things to get out and do,” said Robertson.

COVID protocols continue at Tucker Rec Center, where staff and students are conducting daily temperature checks, wearing masks indoors and adhering to social distancing guidelines. Tucker Rec Center installed an air ionization system last year, and plans to add a UV air filter system.

Summer camps plan to run at a lower capacity than pre-COVID years, limited to around 55 campers per week. Masks will be optional outdoors for summer programs, and staff plans to keep as much programming outdoors as possible.

Programs will be restricted by age group, not pods, Robertson said.

With DeKalb County offering summer school, Tucker may offer a half-day, after school camp for students. Transportation from school to camp is not currently being offered by the city.

Robertson said the department has heard parents want their kids in school “because they’ve been out so long, realizing they need to catch up.” He said staffing summer camp and city pools has been a challenge.

Summer camps include STEM, arts and crafts, sports and swimming.

Parks and Rec plans to use City Hall Annex, 4228 First Ave., to hold classes for seniors at the city annex, and to keep the volume of people low at the Rec Center. Bridge, exercise classes and woodworking are in the works.

Kelley Cofer Pool and Rosenfeld Pool will open on May 28, the start of Memorial Day weekend. Summer passes are available. In 2020, Tucker opened with 50 percent capacity with three time slots per day to follow CDC guidelines for COVID. This year, pools will take reservations and walk-ups for two longer time slots per day.

“We have increased our [pool] capacity to 100. We’ll have 80 reservations and 20 walk-ups. We are still trying to limit the number on the pool decks at any time,” Robertson said, adding that pool staff will clean between time slots.

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