RECREATION

Spirited annual events combined with outdoor recreation and leisure make Bainbridge and Decatur County the gem of Southwest Georgia. Decatur County's pine-covered hills and shimmering shores are a favorite of sportsmen and nature lovers and are guaranteed to captivate even the most discerning outdoorsman.

Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA:
Bainbridge and Decatur County also benefit from an excellent, professionally-run YMCA. The 40,000 square foot complex features an Olympic-sized swimming pool with a diving well, four (4) lighted tennis courts, two (2) air conditioned racquetball courts, an indoor jogging track, a large gymnasium with basketball courts, free weight room, exercise classes, and after school care. The fitness center features showers, steam, sauna, and whirlpool for men and women, and the Y's soccer program for kids is one of the most popular anywhere. The Langston-Gray Bowling Center at the Y offers sixteen (16) lanes of bowling and nightly bowling leagues for all ages.

YMCA members also enjoy many activities designed for specific age groups. Activities include swimming and scuba lessons, aerobics, gymnastics, martial arts, weight training, and customized training to meet specific needs. Children's activities include soccer, football, basketball, and cheerleading.
 

Best Fishing in the South:

The Flint River and Lake Seminole offer abundant fishing and water sports. Both attract thousands of amateur and professional fishermen, and many top bass tournaments are held here throughout the year. Lake Seminole is ranked the fifth (5th) best bass fishing lake in the United States. Abundantly-sized populations of striped and white bass, catfish, crappy, and bream wait to tempt fishermen of all ages.

Fishing is a year-round activity on Lake Seminole. In addition to the challenging bass fishing tournaments held in the area annually, there are many casual competitions held almost every weekend among local bass clubs and professional anglers. The annual Jack Wingate Open is held the first weekend in March and is a good chance to test your skills against the best fishermen in the business. The Lake Seminole area even has a legal netting season - the only location in inland Georgia where this is true.
 

Camping, Boating, Water Skiing, and Picnicking:

In addition to fishing, there are other outdoor activities for nature-lovers. Camping, boating, water skiing, and picnicking are also favorite leisure activities in the area. Boaters are provided with numerous boat ramps along the shores of the Flint River, Spring Creek, Lake Seminole, and related bodies of water. Boat rentals are available at Seminole State Park and Wingate's Fishing and Hunting Lodge. There are numerous camping sites, RV sites/parks, and freshwater beaches.

There are three (3) beautiful parks maintained by the City of Bainbridge - Earle May Boat Basin, Cheney Griffin Park, and W.M. Coyle Park. The parks include such items and features as campsites, barbeque pits, stocked fishing ponds, a steam-powered sawmill, playgrounds, a historic steam-powered train engine (believed to be one of the few left in the United States), and an outdoor theater. There are elevated nature trails, boardwalks, bike trails, lighted tennis courts, fishing piers, and more with each park having its own unique combination of the above features, creating a truly unique experience.
 

Softball, Football, Tennis, Golf, and more...

Bainbridge's Leisure Services Department offers a wide variety of activities in addition to the accessible parks. In addition to the YMCA pool, the City of Bainbridge also maintains an excellent public pool at the Potter Street Community Center which hosts many events for the county. For serious swimmers, the new Aquatic Center offers eight (8) lanes for practice or competition, and a designated diving well. For those who want to just have fun, there is a tall, twisting 140 foot long Spiral Speed Slide.

Statewide tennis tournaments, as well as baseball, softball, soccer, and flag football for all ages are also a big part of life in Decatur County. From tee-ball to young adult leagues, you're sure to be able to find the right league for you.

Are you a golf player? Golf enthusiasts (and serious players) will find that Decatur County is blessed with two (2) golf courses located in the community. The privately owned Bainbridge Country Club features an eighteen (18) hole golf course, four (4) lighted tennis courts, swimming pool, club house, and a pro shop. A nine (9) hole public course is also available, and is located on Highway 27 North at the Decatur County Industrial Park.