HUNTSVILLE – The Huntsville Parks & Recreation department has been busy adding to its roster of more than 100 programs to help residents utilize the 60 public parks, 15 recreation centers and six sports complexes at its disposal to beat the winter blues.
Among the new offerings is Rec Zone at Fern Bell Recreation Center, which provides preteens and younger teens a safe environment to hang out, play games or work on homework after school. The program runs Monday through Friday from 3-5:30 p.m. from Jan. 3 through the end of the Huntsville City Schools year.
The lengthy schedule of activities can be found in the 2023-2024 Winter Program Guide at www.huntsvilleal.gov. Programs offered involve walking, running, biking and even dominos.
Most activities are free.
“We’ve worked hard over the past few years to really cultivate and expand our year-round offerings at our facilities,” said James Gossett, Director of Huntsville Parks & Recreation. “We’re particularly proud of our youth programs, including our day and specialty camps and our afterschool program, all of which span the winter months.”
Holiday-themed activities include the annual “Tinsel Trail’’, which kicked off last week with the launching of Mayor Tommy Battle’s Rocket City Tree.
Another new event is “Big Spring Jingle’’ set for Friday from 5-8 p.m.
“Drop and Shop’’ at Bridge Street Town Centre, designed to let parents finish last-minute shopping, is set for Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 5:30-8 p.m. Kids can enjoy a movie and other holiday activities, courtesy of Huntsville Parks & Recreation. The event is free and is open to the first 50 children who register by Dec. 13.
Activities and venues offered by the department include:
- Archery
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Disc Golf
- Dog Park
- Exercise Equipment
- Football
- Greenspace
- Lighted Fields
- Mountain Bike
- Multi-purpose Fields
- Pavilion
- Pickleball
- Playgrounds
- Restrooms
- Sand Volleyball
- Soccer
- Softball
- Splash Pad
- Tennis Courts
- Turf Field
- Walking Trail
Activities are designed for different age groups and skill levels, including a variety that include things such as table tennis, exercise programs, water aerobics and even boxing.
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