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Recreation director to retire after 33 years

Longtime recreation department leader steps down at year end

Monday, Aug 9, 2010

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Columbia County Recreation Director Charlie Beale on Monday announced his retirement effective Dec. 31.

During his 33-year tenure, Beale, 62, has seen the department grow from four baseball fields to its current inventory of major parks, including Blanchard Woods, Patriots and Wildwood. In addition to coping with the county's growth, he said his greatest challenge has been fending off efforts to privatize recreation offerings.

An Augusta native and graduate of Georgia Southern University, Beale worked in recreation in Richmond County and Millen/Jenkins County before moving to Evans to succeed Don Dearing, the department's first director.

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follower 08/09/10 - 10:44 am

Big shoes to fill. Thanks for

Big shoes to fill. Thanks for what you've done.

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Pastor Dan White 08/09/10 - 11:42 am

Charlie Beale came from a

Charlie Beale came from a degree at GA Southern and turned a little one horse recreation department into a powerhouse that is known state-wide, region-wide, and nation wide for its quality programs and facilities.

Thank you Charlie for your vision, hard work, and outstanding career. Thousands of children have been blessed by your dedication and foresight. Thousands of those children who are now adults will always have fond memories of their days playing through the Columbia County Recreation Department and are better people and citizens for having participated in the Rec Dept.

May your retirement be filled with blessings. Well done!

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Coachestes 08/19/10 - 11:12 am

Charlie Beale is the model

Charlie Beale is the model recreation professional. As the executive director of Parks and Recreation in Sumter County, Georgia, I can say that Mr. Beale has been a mentor to me and many others in our profession. His leadership on the local level and on the state level through the Georgia Recreation and Park Association is something that all recreation professionals should strive to acheive. Patriots Park, Blanchard Woods Park, the great staff there in Columbia County; all are a testament to Charlie Beale. I wish him the best in his retirement and want him to know how much his dedication has meant to people there and across the state. His position will trully be tough to fill.