Lufkin
Texas
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Lufkin Parks and Recreation
The Parks Department and ASA District 38 will be hosting the ASA Girl's 12Under "B" Fast-Pitch State Tournament at Kit McConnico Park June 18-20. Approximately 30 teams from all over Texas will be traveling to Lufkin to participate in a chance to advance to southern nationals in Oklahoma City. Anybody wanting to see some great ball being played by 11-12 year old girls is invited to come out free of charge and enjoy the festivities.
Sounds of children laughing and a train whistling joined the smells of cooking meat and the waves of 100 degree heat at the Ellen Trout Park on Saturday. The Fourth of July celebration started off slow as the Texas sun kept many indoors for much of the day, but with sunset came growing crowds of people as vendors saw their lines increase and chairs fill up just before the firework extravaganza.
"We were lacking a little during the day, but I think that is just because of all this heat," said Lufkin Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mike Akridge. "But I've been here 32 years, and I'm confident that people will turn out once it cools off a little."
Akridge's prediction was spot on, as people filed into the park later in the day to grab a spot to watch the fireworks show. However, those who braved the heat were able to enjoy live music all day, as well as various activities and vending booths. Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News. Watch the video of the fireworks display from start to finish!
City parks are meant to be places to enjoy the great outdoors! Now park users can "breathe a bit easier" because Lufkin's parks will soon be smoke free. On Tuesday, Lufkin City Council adopted an ordinance banning smoking in City of Lufkin parks. In recommending the Smoke Free Designation, Parks and Recreation Director Don Hannabas says, "It's the right thing to do. We have children and adults taking part in athletic events and hundreds of spectators who join them. It is our responsibility to keep them safe. Prohibiting the use of a burning tobacco product is just one more way we can protect them." The ordinance restricts a person from having a "burning tobacco product" within the boundaries of any City of Lufkin Park. In the ordinance, the word "smoke" means to emit or exhale the smoke of burning tobacco, weed or other plant or tobacco product. The City will post signs at the entrances and throughout the parks that will state "Smoking Strictly Prohibited". The consequence is a penalty. Police officers now have the authority to cite park-goers in violation of the ordinance. Each fine carries up to a $500 penalty.
Mayor Jack Gorden adds, "Asking park users to refrain from smoking while enjoying our beautiful parks is a small courtesy that will go a long way to enhance the park experience. We respectfully ask all park users to honor this ordinance."
The ordinance takes place immediately. Hannabas and his staff polled a number of cities around Texas on the "smoke free" policy. Many communities either had a similar restriction in place or were in the process of adopting it. Hannabas adds, "Our parks exist to provide places for healthy play and recreation. Allowing a known health hazard in our parks equates to a double standard."
The expansion of the hike and bike trail at Kit McConnico Park began Tuesday, March 31, according to David Steiner, of the Deep East Texas Trail Route & Access Coalition (DET-TRAC). Funding for the project, which includes a $60,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in conjunction with the City of Lufkin Parks Department, has been approved, and work on the addition was able to begin, Steiner said. Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News.
The Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department will be starting up a special needs softball program at Winston Park in April. A new field is being built and bathrooms are being refurbished. Any child 4 through 22 that is still in school and has any type of diagnosis is welcome. Cost is $20.00 and this provides each child with a shirt, hat and insurance. Registration is taking place at the Downtown Recreation Center, 125 North First Street. Practices will be taking place each Saturday from 9:00 am till 11:00 am. Please contact Deanna Ramsey at 639-9554 or contact The Parks Department at 633-0250 for information on Special Needs Softball. Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News.
Welcome to lufkinparks.com. The City of Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department has much to offer the citizens of Lufkin. There are seventeen city parks with various resources available. Facilities found at our parks include a zoo, miniature train, swimming pool, spray and play pads, playground and exercise equipment, multiple sports fields with stands and concessions, community centers and much, much more. The Parks Department also offers many programs for the young and young at heart. Spring programs include gymnastics, cheerleading, drill team, dance, ballroom dance, dance aerobics, dulcimer, and senior aerobics. Sports offered by the department are adult softball and basketball leagues and youth basketball leagues. We also provide links to sports provided by other organizations in our city.
Sounds of children laughing and a train whistling joined the smells of cooking meat and the waves of 100 degree heat at the Ellen Trout Park on Saturday. The Fourth of July celebration started off slow as the Texas sun kept many indoors for much of the day, but with sunset came growing crowds of people as vendors saw their lines increase and chairs fill up just before the firework extravaganza.
"We were lacking a little during the day, but I think that is just because of all this heat," said Lufkin Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mike Akridge. "But I've been here 32 years, and I'm confident that people will turn out once it cools off a little."
Akridge's prediction was spot on, as people filed into the park later in the day to grab a spot to watch the fireworks show. However, those who braved the heat were able to enjoy live music all day, as well as various activities and vending booths. Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News. Watch the video of the fireworks display from start to finish!
City parks are meant to be places to enjoy the great outdoors! Now park users can "breathe a bit easier" because Lufkin's parks will soon be smoke free. On Tuesday, Lufkin City Council adopted an ordinance banning smoking in City of Lufkin parks. In recommending the Smoke Free Designation, Parks and Recreation Director Don Hannabas says, "It's the right thing to do. We have children and adults taking part in athletic events and hundreds of spectators who join them. It is our responsibility to keep them safe. Prohibiting the use of a burning tobacco product is just one more way we can protect them." The ordinance restricts a person from having a "burning tobacco product" within the boundaries of any City of Lufkin Park. In the ordinance, the word "smoke" means to emit or exhale the smoke of burning tobacco, weed or other plant or tobacco product. The City will post signs at the entrances and throughout the parks that will state "Smoking Strictly Prohibited". The consequence is a penalty. Police officers now have the authority to cite park-goers in violation of the ordinance. Each fine carries up to a $500 penalty.
Mayor Jack Gorden adds, "Asking park users to refrain from smoking while enjoying our beautiful parks is a small courtesy that will go a long way to enhance the park experience. We respectfully ask all park users to honor this ordinance."
The ordinance takes place immediately. Hannabas and his staff polled a number of cities around Texas on the "smoke free" policy. Many communities either had a similar restriction in place or were in the process of adopting it. Hannabas adds, "Our parks exist to provide places for healthy play and recreation. Allowing a known health hazard in our parks equates to a double standard."
The expansion of the hike and bike trail at Kit McConnico Park began Tuesday, March 31, according to David Steiner, of the Deep East Texas Trail Route & Access Coalition (DET-TRAC). Funding for the project, which includes a $60,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in conjunction with the City of Lufkin Parks Department, has been approved, and work on the addition was able to begin, Steiner said. Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News.
The Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department will be starting up a special needs softball program at Winston Park in April. A new field is being built and bathrooms are being refurbished. Any child 4 through 22 that is still in school and has any type of diagnosis is welcome. Cost is $20.00 and this provides each child with a shirt, hat and insurance. Registration is taking place at the Downtown Recreation Center, 125 North First Street. Practices will be taking place each Saturday from 9:00 am till 11:00 am. Please contact Deanna Ramsey at 639-9554 or contact The Parks Department at 633-0250 for information on Special Needs Softball. Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News.
Welcome to lufkinparks.com. The City of Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department has much to offer the citizens of Lufkin. There are seventeen city parks with various resources available. Facilities found at our parks include a zoo, miniature train, swimming pool, spray and play pads, playground and exercise equipment, multiple sports fields with stands and concessions, community centers and much, much more. The Parks Department also offers many programs for the young and young at heart. Spring programs include gymnastics, cheerleading, drill team, dance, ballroom dance, dance aerobics, dulcimer, and senior aerobics. Sports offered by the department are adult softball and basketball leagues and youth basketball leagues. We also provide links to sports provided by other organizations in our city.