City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department

The Auburn Parks and Recreation 2007 Yearly Calendar is available at various City facilities and on the web via the "2007 Calendar" link on the left of each page.  This FREE calendar lists all of our special events, program quarters, brochure release dates, Auburn City School holidays, facility closings, athletic registration dates, City holiday’s and events, and much, much more!  For more information, please call Auburn Parks & Recreation at (334) 501-2930.

Volunteers are needed to fill time slots throughout the day! Auburn CityFest is April 28, 2007 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Kiesel Park.  Help out your community and get involved with this "Day of Fun in the Park."  For more information, please call 501-2963.

The 9^th Annual Juried Art Exhibition at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center will feature work by regional artists.  A free reception will be held on April 21^st from 4 – 6 p.m. and is open to the public.  The Gallery Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.; the Gallery is open on Saturday & Sunday for Special Events/Programs Only.  For more information about the Art Gallery or future exhibitions, please contact the Auburn Arts Association at (334) 887-2832 or contact the Community Arts Center at (334) 501-2963.

The year 2007 will mark the 51st consecutive year the League of American Bicyclists has declared May to be National Bike Month^™. In support of the League, the City of Auburn is promoting Bike-to-Work/Bike-to-School Week from May 7 - 11 and Bike-to-Work/Bike-to-School Day on Friday, May 11.  The bicycle is a viable and environmentally sound form of transportation and an excellent form of recreation.  The Auburn Bicycle Committee, local schools, the Auburn Parks and Recreation department, local police officers and the bike patrol, along with hospitals, companies and civic groups throughout the state will promote bicycling as a wholesome leisure activity as well as an environmentally-friendly alternative to the automobile during the month of May 2007.  Don't miss out on your chance to participate in this great recreational activity and support bicycling awareness and safety throughout the entire month of May!  Look for exciting activities throughout the month of May, including:

• Tuesday, May 1 • 7:00 p.m. • City Council Meeting: Presentation of the Friend of the Auburn Bicycle Committee Award to the Auburn Civitan Club
• Monday, May 7 - Friday, May 11 • Bike-to-Work/Bike-to-School Week
• Tuesday, May 8 • 10:00 a.m. • City Hall: Bike Week Proclamation Signing by Mayor Bill Ham, Jr.
• Friday, May 11 • Bike-to-Work/Bike-to-School Day
• Saturday, May 19 • 10:00 a.m. • Ivy Morris Bike Lane on Thach Avenue: Dedication of the Ivy Morris Bike Lane.  Immediately following the dedication, citizens are encouraged to join members of the Bicycle Committee for a celebratory bicycle ride along the new path.

Auburn residents are encouraged to get out and enjoy the nearly 30 miles of existing bike lanes throughout the City in celebration of National Bike Month.  Look for more information on the Grand Opening and Dedication of the Highway 14 Bike Path coming soon. For more information on Bike Month activities, please contact Alison Hall at 501-2940.

Enjoy a night (or several nights) of entertainment at one of Auburn's premier parks...Kiesel Park is the perfect setting to listen to the enchanting sounds of local and regional musicians.  Bring the family, the picnic supper, your lawn chairs and maybe even the family dog and enjoy a free, relaxing evening under the stars.  This year's series will feature the following outstanding artists:
May 3: Martha's Trouble
May 10: Will Dooley
May 17: Wynn Christian and Tony Brook
May 24: Blue 32
May 31: CaterPillars of the Community
For more information, please contact Alison Hall at (334) 501-2940.

Be sure to pick up your copy of the Parks and Recreation Summer Quarter Brochure beginning May 7 at various City facilities. The brochure will also be available online here. This brochure is your guide to summer activities, pool schedules, and summer camps in the City of Auburn. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 501-2930.

Visual Art Workshop, Young Artist Atelier, and Art for Young Children registration will begin May 7^th.  Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required.  Please contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at (334) 501-2963 to register your child.

Tryout dates for the Auburn Thunder Soccer Team are June 8, 9, and 10.  For more information, click here or contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.

Beauty and the Beast is the fairy tale adapted by Vera Morris from the classic fable by Madame Leprince de Beaumont.  Come see the story played out of how a greedy prince turned beast can learn from a girl that true beauty lies within.  Dates and Times: May 9, 10, and 11 at 6:30p.m. ; May 12 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets will be $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children.  For more information, please contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at (334) 501-2963.

The 2007 Special Olympics Torch Relay will begin with a ceremony on the front steps of City Hall on Friday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m.  Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. will preside over the ceremony.  Athletes competing in this year’s Special Olympics Games at Troy University, as well as Public Safety officials from across the State, will depart from City Hall immediately following the ceremony, turn south onto College Street, and proceed through downtown to the shopping center at Parkerson Mill on South College Street.  From there, officials will caravan to the State Capitol and then on to Troy to bring the torch into the opening ceremonies at Troy University’s football stadium.  Members of the public are encouraged to attend the ceremony at City Hall or line the torch route along South College Street to cheer on the torch relay participants.  The 2007 Special Olympics Summer Games will be held Friday, May 11- Sunday, May 13 on the Troy University Campus.  More than 1500 athletes from counties across the State will participate in competitions throughout the weekend.  Volunteers are needed to assist at the athletic venues and encourage the athletes in competition.  For more information, please contact Alison Hall, Community Programs Director, at (334) 501-2940.

D.A.R.E. Camp is for students who have completed the 5^th Grade and is sponsored by the City of Auburn D.A.R.E. program and Auburn Parks and Recreation.  The camp will be held June 25-29, 2007 at the Auburn Junior High School.  For more information, please contact Officer Keith Horne at (334) 501-3124.

Troy University and the City of Troy are hosting the 2007 State of Alabama Special Olympics Summer Games Friday, May 11 - Sunday, May 13 on the Troy University Campus.  Troy welcomes over 1500 athletes, representing counties throughout the state; to stay in university dorms during their competition in various athletic events.  Volunteers are needed throughout the weekend to help at the various venues and to cheer all of our athletes on to victory! If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact the State office today! For more information regarding the State of Alabama Special Olympics Summer Games or if you would like to volunteer, please contact the Executive Director, Dr.  Bob Bushong at (800) 239-3898.

This exciting camp for children ages 4 to 8 offers the beginning player a chance to interact with children their own age in an environment conducive to learning.  Instruction will be given by college and high school coaches and players for a fun-filled soccer experience.  Campers will be divided into size and age groupings for skill instruction.  Camp dates are June 4 – 7 and the camp runs from 9 a.m. to Noon.  For more information, visit www.auburnalabama.org/soccer or contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.

Jr. Camp Ages: 9 - 12.  Sr. Camp Ages: 13 - 18.  Instruction will be directed by a USSF & NSCAA nationally licensed former Division I college coach for an exciting 4-day long camp environment to improve the players’ fundamental development.  The curriculum will include passing, shooting, receiving, heading, dribbling, movement with and without the ball and positional play & responsibilities.  Camp dates are June 4-7 and the camp runs from 9 a.m. to Noon.  For more information, click here or contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.

Attention all paddlers 12 to 15 years old!  Join Auburn Parks & Recreation and Southern Trails for a day of adventure while kayaking the Coosa River.  The course is 6 miles long and consists of moving flat water, with Class I and II rapids.  All paddlers must be able to swim and should wear appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and footwear that will stay on during a swim.  Top quality river equipment will be provided.  Bring a light lunch in a soft-sided, waterproof container. Participants must be registered by May 21 and the trip date is Saturday, May 26th.  For more information, please contact Melissa Weldon at (334) 501-2946.

Cast into Summer with the 15th Annual Fishing Rodeo, sponsored by Auburn Parks and Recreation and Evans Realty! Children 12 years and younger, along with your parent or guardian, join us at the best fishing spot in Auburn! Bring your lucky fishing pole and we will supply the bait.  The event will be held from 8 a.m.-Noon at the Auburn Technology Park-South Lake.  This year's rodeo is part of the 2007 Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derby program and the event is also being held in conjunction with the Water Works Wonders National Fishing and Boating Week.  Last year over $300 worth of door prizes were given out to lucky participants and prizes were awarded to the Biggest Fish and Smallest Fish caught.  This year prizes will be given for the smallest, largest and most fish caught.  This event is a great chance to bring kids and their parents together with America's favorite pastime...FISHING! So don't miss out on your chance to reel in the biggest catfish of the year!! For more information, please contact Alison Hall at (334) 501-2940.