The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism organizes leisure time activities to promote the enrichment of life in the city and to help make Aiken a more desirable place to live. Activities sponsored by the department include concerts, team sports, and adult and youth activities. The department operates several facilities including: Rye Patch and programs at Hopelands Garden, the Smith Hazel Recreation Center, Ceramics, the H.O. Weeks Activity Center, and the Aiken Visitors Center. The Director of the Department is appointed by the City Manager and serves as staff for the Arts Commission, Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, Senior Commission, and the Recreation Commission.