LeisureLink

LeisureLink: The City of Auburn's Parks and Recreation Weekly Newsletter

July 15-21, 2024

Lee County Special Olympians Alabama State Games Send off Fri., July 19

The Alabama Special Olympics State Games, originally scheduled for May 17-19 but canceled due to weather, have been rescheduled for July 19-20 at Troy University. The event has been condensed into a one-night experience, welcoming over 600 athletes from across the state of Alabama.

The Lee County Special Olympics will proudly send 27 Olympians to compete in the games. To celebrate these athletes, Auburn Public Safety, Mayor Ron Anders, Aubie and the entire Auburn Parks and Recreation Therapeutics group will host a send-off event on Friday, July 19, at 11:15 a.m. at the gravel parking lot located behind Duck Samford Stadium. The public is invited to attend this event, which will last no longer than 30 minutes.

This send-off will provide an opportunity for the community to show their support and encouragement for the Olympians as they embark on this exciting journey.

2024 Fall brochure available and fall youth sports registration going on now

The 2024 Auburn Parks and Recreation fall brochure is now available online and in print. Printed brochures are available at Auburn Parks and Recreation facilities, the Auburn Public Library and Auburn City Hall.

Registration for fall programs will begin on Monday, Aug. 5. Fall youth sports registration will open on Tuesday, July 2, and close on July 25. Fall offerings include t-ball, baseball, softball, soccer, cheerleading, flag football for boys and girls, and tackle football. Visit auburnal.myrec.com to register.

For more information on youth fall sports registration, email Houston Manning at hmanning@auburnalabama.org.

Auburn Arts Association Summer Show July 10-24

The Auburn Arts Association is pleased to announce the 2024 Summer Show, titled "Black and White + One Color," which will be held from July 10 through August 24 at the Art Gallery in the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center.

This unique exhibition features artwork created in black and white with the addition of one color of the artist's choice. The show promises to offer a striking visual experience, showcasing the creativity and innovation of local artists.

A public reception to meet the artists will be held on Thursday, July 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the artists, discuss their works, and enjoy complimentary food and drinks. The reception is free and open to the public.

Auburn Parks and Recreation celebrates Park and Recreation Month this July

This July, join the City of Auburn's Parks and Recreation Department as we celebrate Park and Recreation Month, highlighting how Auburn becomes stronger, more vibrant and more resilient through the power of parks and recreation

We will kick off the celebration with a proclamation signing at Dinius Park on Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 a.m. Mayor Ron Anders will present a proclamation designating July as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Auburn. Dinius Park is located at 1435 Glenn Ave.

Then, enjoy Pops in the Park on Monday, July 8, from 2-4 p.m. at the large pavilion at the Town Creek Inclusive Playground. Enjoy free popsicles (while supplies last) and meet Alison Hall, the City's new Parks and Recreation director. The Town Creek Inclusive Playground is located at 430 Camellia Drive.

We are also celebrating Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), by inviting our community to share their experiences, memories and stories. NRPA and Auburn Parks and Recreation encourage everyone who supports parks and recreation to share how it has fostered a sense of belonging and why their local park and recreation professionals are important to them. Use the hashtag #WhereYouBelong and tag Auburn Parks and Recreation at @COAParksAndRec on social media.

Weekend Tournaments at Parks and Recreation Facilities

The Ultra Draft Rawling/Miken/Easton/Worth Men's Slow Pitch Softball tournament will be held at the Auburn Soccer Complex Sat., July 20.  Yarbrough Tennis Center will host the USTA Southern Adults 40 plus League Championship July 19-21. Teams from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Kentucky, and Louisiana will compete to advance to the USTA 40 plus national championship.

2024 City Market Accepting Mini Merchant applications

City Market presents the fourth annual Mini Merchant, a chance for young entrepreneurs to sell their handmade products alongside real farmers, bakers and business owners! This year's Mini Merchant will be held during City Market at Town Creek Park on Aug. 3 from 8-11 a.m.

Auburn Parks and Recreation will accept applications from vendors ages 14 and younger who handcraft various products such as delicious treats or unique crafts. Upon acceptance, vendors will have to provide their own tents and pay a $15 vendor fee.

Those interested in participating may apply online. The deadline to apply is July 26.

Hickory Dickory Park closed for mosquito spraying Fri., July 19

Hickory Dickory Park will be closed all day Friday, July 19, for mosquito spraying, according to Auburn Parks and Recreation officials. The closure is a necessary measure to ensure the safety and comfort of park visitors by controlling the mosquito population.

Despite the closure of Hickory Dickory Park, all other parks and playgrounds managed by Auburn Parks and Recreation will remain open to the public. Residents and visitors can enjoy the city's numerous other recreational facilities during this period.

For a complete list of Auburn's parks and playgrounds, please visit auburnalabama.org/parks.

Felton Little Park Parking lot closed for LED light Installation

A portion of the parking lot at Felton Little Park will be closed beginning July 8 through the end of August for the installation of new LED lighting on the fields. While this essential upgrade is underway, the playground at Felton Little Park will remain open along with the parking directly in front of the playground.

Please be aware that the park will be an active construction site during this period. For the safety of all visitors, access to the fields will be restricted, and no one will be permitted on the fields until the project is complete.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work to enhance the park's facilities. For further information, please contact the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department at (334) 501-2930.

Auburn Community Orchestra announces new director

The Auburn Community Orchestra has appointed Dr. Russell (Rusty) Logan as the new orchestra director and conductor for the 2024-2025 season.

Logan is a native of Wetumpka and graduated from Wetumpka High School. He attended Auburn University and received a Bachelor of Science in music education and a Master of Music in trombone performance. Following this, he attended the University of Mississippi where he obtained a doctorate in music theory.

Logan has served as director of bands at Monroe Academy (Forsyth, Georgia), Victoria High School (Victoria, Texas) and Auburn High School. He also served as an instructor of music/director of bands at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, teaching music education and music theory classes. Logan currently serves as a part-time instructor at Auburn University where he teaches all levels of music theory and aural skills.

Logan is currently the principal trombonist and the executive board chair for the Alabama Winds Concert Band and performs with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. He is active as a guest conductor, band adjudicator and clinician. He has served as president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and is currently serving as executive director for the Alabama Music Educators Association.

Logan’s professional affiliations include the Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education and the National Fraternity for Band Directors, Phi Beta Mu. In 2019, Logan was selected as a member of the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

Logan is married to his wife Betsy, and their son Jeremy is assistant director of bands/director of percussion studies at Boone High School in Orlando, Florida.

City Market every Saturday this summer until August 24

City Market is back for the summer of 2024! Join us every Saturday through August 24th at Town Creek Park. The best farmer's market in Auburn begins at 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Don't worry about parking - we've got you covered with parking available in the gravel lot across from Town Creek Park. Just a heads up, vendors will start selling their amazing products at 8am sharp. Come on out and enjoy live music, fun activities for the kids, and of course, an array of fresh, local, and handcrafted items to browse and purchase. Can't wait to see you there!

Yarbrough Tennis Center named Premier Facility by the USTA

We are thrilled to announce that the City of Auburn/Auburn University Yarbrough Tennis Center has been named a USTA Premier Facility! This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to excellence in tennis operations and programming. Only 50 facilities nationwide received this honor, and we are proud to be among them. Special thanks to our incredible team including Melissa Shaver, Sarah Hill, Bret Peterson and Francois Boseman for making this achievement possible.

Auburn Parks and Recreation accepting reservation request online

Auburn Parks and Recreation is now accepting facility and park reservation requests online. Those who wish to reserve a facility, athletic facility, or park pavilion can complete their application for request using their online account at auburnal.myrec.com.

Please make all requests at least two weeks prior to the desired reservation date in order to leave time for the approval process. Requests must be reviewed and approved by the facility director and department director. Once approved, payments can be made online using a credit card or by cash or check in-person at the Harris Center.

Frank Brown Recreation Center Membership Card Required to play racquetball and free basketball

Auburn Parks and Recreation now requires membership cards for free play basketball and racquetball.

Free play basketball and racquetball at Frank Brown Recreation Center are open free of charge to citizens who live, work or attend school within the city limits of Auburn, AL and to non-citizens for a one-time $30.00 fee. A membership must be acquired for free play basketball and racquetball regardless of age. Replacement cards will cost $30.00 regardless of residency. The membership card is non-transferable and can only be used by the card holder. You must be at least 13 years of age to participate in free play basketball and 15 years of age to participate in racquetball. Children ages 13-18 must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian at the time of application.

Memberships can be obtained at the Harris Center Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. To view a membership application, including a list of acceptable proof of residency documents, visit auburnalabama.org/parks.

Frank Brown Recreation Center is open Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and Sun. 1-5 p.m. The Frank Brown Recreation Center is located at 235 Opelika Road. For more information call 334-501-2962.

Frank Brown Membership Application

Yarbrough Tennis Center Updates

Visit YTC News for the latest at the Yarbrough Tennis Center