Summer Like This
Parks Offering Wide Variety of Safe, Fun Activities
June 01, 2017
The final school bell has sounded, which means summer break is officially here! Make the most of this sunny season with the City of Tallahassee. From extended hours at community centers to special events, there are plenty of options to keep area youth and adults busy from dawn until well after dusk.
"Since 2011, Tallahassee Parks and Rec has been teaming up with the Police Department to host activities, helping to ensure our community's youth have a fun and safe place to spend their time,” Mayor Andrew Gillum said. “I'm proud to see this program that provides students and families with a positive summer experience continue to expand.”
All area youth are invited to hang out every Friday night this summer, as another season of Splash & Jam takes over area community centers. Hosted by the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs (PRNA) Department and the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), Splash & Jam, which originally began in 2011, offers local families and teens free, safe alternatives for late night summer fun.
Splash & Jam will feature a family-style pool party – “the splash” – from 7-9 p.m. As there is not a pool at the Palmer Munroe Teen Center, there will be water activities from 7-9 p.m. After the splash, teens will be invited to “jam” inside the community centers at themed events featuring food, games and music. The teen parties will take place from 9-11 p.m. and are designed for middle and high school youth. Each event will be monitored by adult chaperones, City staff and police officers. Below is the full schedule for Splash & Jam events.
The kids aren’t the only ones who will have fun though this summer. Free, family friendly movies nights will take place at rotating community centers throughout Tallahassee every Saturday night from June 3 through August 5. Each movie will begin at 7 p.m., and free refreshments will be available. Below is the full schedule for Saturday night movies.
- June 3, Moana will play at Walker-Ford
- June 10, Secret Life of Pets will play at Sue McCollum Community Center at Lafayette Park, 501 Ingleside Avenue
- June 17, Mr. Church will play at Palmer Munroe
- June 24, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will place at Jack McLean
- July 8, Captain America: Civil War will play at Lawrence-Gregory
- July 15, Tarzan will play at Jack McLean
- July 22, Sing will play at LeVerne Payne Community Center, 450 West Fourth Avenue
- July 29, Lego Batman will play at Sue McCollum
- August 5, Zootopia will play at Jake Gaither Community Center, 801 Bragg Drive
- August 12, Power Rangers will play at Walker-Ford
In addition to these special activities, the following community centers will be open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from June 2 through August 5.
- Jack McLean
- Jake Gaither
- Lawrence-Gregory
- Sue McCollum
- Walker-Ford
Palmer Munroe Teen Center will have extended hours also. The center will be open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays from June 3 through August 5.
To ensure you stay cool, the pool at Walker-Ford will offer free admission all summer. You can also enjoy Sunday Funday from June 4 through August 13 at the Jack McLean Aquatics Center, when admission will cost only $1 all day. Jack McLean will also host free swim hours every Friday and Saturday from 6-9 p.m. from June 2 through August 12.
If you prefer to stay indoors, sign up for HoopFest 2017, the free summer basketball league at Jack McLean. Hoop Fest is open to youth ages 13-19. If a participant is 18 or older, he/she must be a senior in high school this year, meaning he/she just graduated. Registration can be done at any City community center and ends on June 8.
The Coaches Clinic for HoopFest Lower Division (ages 13-15) is on Friday, June 9, at 6 p.m. The Coaches Clinic for HoopFest Upper Division (ages 16-19) is on Saturday, June 10, at 9 a.m. The draft is on Saturday, June 10, at 3 p.m. for both divisions. The season begins on June 13, and all events, including the clinics and draft, take place at Jack McLean.
The Tallahassee Police Athletic League will also host a Youth Basketball and Cheerleading Summer League at Jack McLean and is continuing to take applications. The basketball league is open to boys ages 10-15 and girls ages 10-12. The cheerleading league is open for girls ages 8-12. The registration fee is $30. The registration forms can be downloaded from the TPAL website. You can also pick up a copy of the application at the Tallahassee Police Department, located at 234 E. Seventh Avenue. All registrations forms and supporting documents must be returned to the Tallahassee Police Department, c/o the Police Athletic League.
The TPAL summer league will run from June 5 to July 28. All games will be played at Jack McLean every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6-9 p.m.
The TPAL program provides youth the opportunity to grow under the guidance of dedicated adults, assisting them in developing self-esteem and providing skills to help them stay in school. The program also aims to instill youth with respect and understanding for the role of law enforcement. If you have any questions, contact Sergeant Anitra Highland at Anitra.Highland@talgov.com or 850-891-4302.
In addition to the planned activities, the City offers 87 parks scattered throughout Tallahassee where you can create your own adventures. Each park offers unique amenities, such as disc golf, playgrounds, bike trails and more. Find a park near you on the TallyParks app or by visiting Talgov.com/Parks.
For more information about City services and summer offerings, visit Talgov.com.
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