Dawson County Parks and Recreation's primary mission is to create a fun, safe, and nurturing environment in which people of all ages can grow, benefit, and enjoy the quality of life through diverse recreational and leisure opportunities. Approaching his first anniversary as Director, Matt Payne has been focused on expanding the programs offered by Park and Rec and, with the help of Athletic Director Stanton Rogers, also finishing his first year with the department, has built an itinerary that boasts a dozen team sports, eight fitness programs, six skills camps and access to facilities spread over three locations in Dawson County. “We have already added several new programs,” Payne said. “Our EPIC program, for our adults with special needs, has really taken off. Pickleball is something that we are starting to get into, and both of those are new programs.” Pickleball has rapidly developed into one of the more popular sports offered and Park and Rec has entered into partnership with the Rotary Club of Dawson County to build a four-court facility at Rock Creek Park that is expected to be complete by Sept. 2019.