Parks
& Recreation
Parks
& Recreation Department
2500 Chisholm Rd.
Florence, AL 35630
Telephone (256) 760-6416
Fax (256) 760-6497
Email:
Tina Kitchens, Director
Picnics
WHAT:
In
the mood for a picnic? We’ve got your spot!
WHERE:
Martin
Park surrounding Royal Avenue Recreation Center.
• Picnic shelters and tables
McFarland
Park on the banks of the Tennessee River
• Picnic shelters with fireplaces
• Picnic tables
Veterans
Memorial Park just off Wilson Dam Road.
• Picnic shelters with fireplaces
• Picnic tables
Wildwood
Park on the banks of Cypress Creek
• Picnic tables
• Shelter
WHEN:
Year-round
OTHER:
For
more information or to reserve a shelter, call 760-6418. Park
shelters are free of charge, and are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. However, to reserve a shelter for a specific
day and/or time please call. (There is a nominal charge for reservations.)
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Recreation
Centers
Broadway
Recreation Center 300 Broadway Street.
• Youth recreation activities for ages 7-15
• Gym
• Game Room
• Playground
• Baseball Field
• Shuffleboad
• Weight Room
Center Supervisor: Doug Griffin, 760-6418
Handy Recreation Center at 1105 Beale Street.
A multipurpose facility, which includes:
• Swimming pool and slide
• Outdoor basketball goals
• Gym
• Softball field
• Playground
• Exercise
• Can be rented for private parties
Center Supervisor: Jimmy Lee Robinson, 760-6435
Summer hours (June - August) for Broadway and Handy Recreation
Centers:
Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Royal
Avenue Recreation Center at 421 N. Royal Avenue
A multipurpose facility, which includes:
• Swimming pool
• Tennis courts
• 3/4 mile walking/exercise trail with restroom facilities
• Playground
• Picnic shelters
• Can be rented for private parties
Center Supervisor: Rhonda McCarley, 760-6425.
Florence
Senior Center at
415 Fairgrounds Road
• Exercise area
• Billiards
• Variety of programs
Center Supervisor: Angie Roberts, 760-6420.
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Senior
Activites
WHAT:
Looking
for activities for Seniors? We have just what you're looking for!
The
Senior Center serves a hot lunch, at a nominal charge. Call 760-6668
for more information
LifeWise,
the Senior Activity group for Coffee Health Group, holds its meetings
at the Coliseum and activities are coordinated with the Florence
Senior Center. Through LifeWise, you can take advantage of trips,
programs, educational activites, and social clubs.
WHERE:
The Florence Senior Center at 415 Fairgrounds Road
A multipurpose facility, which includes:
• Quilting programs
• Cards
• Billiards
• Exercise area
• Nutrition Program
The Senior Center is available for private parties
WHEN:
Year-round
For information on programs at the Florence Senior Center, contact
Center Supervisor: Angie Roberts, 760-6420.
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Soccer
WHAT:
Soccer
is probably the world’s most popular sport, and it’s
popular in Florence as well! The Soccer program encourages participation,
physical conditioning, and self-improvement without undue pressure.
The main emphasis is on fun!
WHERE:
North
Florence Soccer Complex
Cox Creek Park
McFarland Park
Practices also take place at Hibbett and Forest Hills Schools.
WHEN:
Year-round.
League play is from mid-September through November.
OTHER:
For
League play, there is a small registration fee required and a
parent’s signature is required. Divisions include:
• 6 & 7 year old co-ed division
• 8 & 9 year old boys
• 10 & 11 year old boys
• 12-14 year old boys
• 8-10 year old girls
• 11-13 year old girls
• 14-17 year old girls
For more information, contact Martha Townley or Ronnie Hooper
at 760-6624.
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Special
Events
WHAT:
There’s
always something going on in Florence! This is just a partial
list; for more information and specific details, visit www.shoalscalendar.com.
Florence
Wagon Festival, May, a parade in historical East Florence
honoring world-famous Florence Wagon Works (1889-1941). Call 740-4141
for more information.
Arts
Alive, May; a juried art show and exhibit in Wilson Park and
the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.
Spirit
of Freedom Celebration, July 4th, at McFarland Park. A huge
gathering for music and fireworks that lasts all day long.
W.C.
Handy Music Festival, the end of July and first of August
each year. Events take place all over the Shoals, with singing,
Street Strutting, bike races, a 5K run, and entertainment everywhere!
Sweetwater
Reunion, late August, at the Florence/Lauderdale Coliseum.
Everyone with ties to East Florence and the Sweetwater area are
invited to come.
Trail
of Tears Commemoration and Motorcycle Ride, mid-September.
A commemoration of the Indian removal, known as the largest organized
motorcycle ride in the South.
Festival
of the Singing River, mid-October in McFarland Park. Ceremonial
dances, skilled artisans, story telling, and a celebration of
Native American culture and history.
Alabama
Renaissance Faire, late October, Wilson Park. Florence, Alabama,
becomes Florence, Italy, for one wonderful weekend as the city
recreates the atmosphere of an authentic medieval Renaissance
Faire.
Festival
of Lights, early December, Wilson Park. The traditional Christmas
lighting of the Park.
NCAA
Division II Championship Football, early December, Braly Stadium.
The best two Division II teams battle for the national championship
each year.
For
more information, contact Florence/Lauderdale Tourism at 740-4141,
or log on to www.flo-tour.org.
Specific dates and times are also available at www.shoalscalendar.com.
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Swimming
WHAT:
Who
hasn’t heard that swimming is the ultimate low-impact aerobic
sport? It’s an excellent way to get in shape and stay in
shape, for all ages.
WHERE:
Handy
Recreation Center
Royal Avenue Recreation Center
WHEN:
From
June 1 until Labor Day each year. The Handy Pool is open Monday
through Saturday from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 2:00 to 5:00
p.m. Royal Avenue pool is open Monday through Friday, 1:00 to
6:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sundays from
1:00 to 6:00 p.m. There is a small admission charged at each pool.
Children six years and under in the baby pool must be accompanied
by an adult.
OTHER:
For
more information about the Handy Pool, call Jimmy Lee Robinson
at 760-6435; for Royal Avenue, call Rhonda McCarley at 760-6425.
WHAT:
The
Florence Alabama Swim Team, “FAST” is a competitive
swim program for ages 6-18. The swim team is affiliated with USA
Swimming and the Tennessee Valley Conference.
WHERE:
Royal Avenue Recreation Center
WHEN:
FAST offers a fall/winter session and a summer session each year.
Registration takes place throughout the year at Royal Avenue Recreation
Center.
OTHER:
For
more information call Royal Avenue at 760-6425.
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Tennis
WHAT:
The
fastest growing sport in the Shoals area! Florence has wonderful
tennis courts, for individual or league play.
WHERE:
Six
lighted courts at Veteran’s Park
Six lighted courts at Martin Park
Six lighted courts at Cox Creek Park
WHEN:
Courts
are open year-round. From May 1 through November 31, all courts
are lighted from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
From February through May, Coffee High School Tennis Team uses
the Royal Avenue courts and Bradshaw High School Team uses the
Cox Creek Park courts. Practice sessions usually begin about 3:30
p.m. League play must be scheduled by calling 760-6416.
OTHER:
Tennis
lessons are offered at Cox Creek and Royal Avenue/Martin Park
during the spring and summer months. For more information, call
760-6416 or check the calendar at www.shoalscalendar.com.
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Volleyball
WHAT:
Volleyball
isn’t just an outdoor sport, played on the beach. In Florence,
it’s played indoors, in one of two excellent facilities.
League play is a lot of fun!
WHERE:
Handy
Recreation Center (3)
Florence/Lauderdale Coliseum (2)
Veterans Park (outdoor net) (5)
WHEN:
October through December.
OTHER:
League
Divisions at the Coliseum:
• Men’s
• Women’s
• Co-ed
• Church Co-ed
For information, call Martha Townley or Ronnie Hooper at 760-6624.
In addition, an Adult co-ed and Women’s League play at the
Handy Center. For information, call Jimmy Lee Robinson at 760-6435.
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Walking/Jogging
WHAT:
Walking
is the most popular form of exercise in the world, and Florence
has an abundance of walking trails! Each has its own unique terrain
and landscape, but all are expertly maintained and are regularly
patrolled for your walking safety. Youˇre likely to see lots of
people you know when you walk one of Florence's trails.
WHERE:
Royal Avenue / Martin Park: 3/4 miles with exercise stations.
Deibert Park: includes restrooms, an interpretive trail and a
variety of courses.
McFarland Park / Florence Harbor: a scenic sidewalk surrounding
the harbor is perfect for joggers and walkers.
An extensive Riverwalk is planned.
Wildwood Park: Nature trails, as well as beginner and advanced
mountain bike trails. Located on the banks of Cypress Creek.
WHEN:
• Walking trails are open year round.
• Most parks open at dawn and close at dusk.
For more information, call 760-6416 or check the calendar at www..shoalscalendar.com.
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