Parks, Recreation, and Tourism

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 and visit. Activities sponsored by the department include concerts, road races, team sports, special events, fitness programs and a variety of adult and youth activities. The department operates several facilities, including the Rye Patch Reception Center house and programs at Hopelands Gardens, the Smith Hazel Recreation Center, Virginia Acres Ceramics House, the Washington Center for Performing Arts, Weeks Tennis Center, and the H. O. Weeks Activity Center. The Director of the Department is appointed by the City Manager and serves as staff liaison for the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, the Arts Commission and the Recreation Commission.