The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will offer a wide variety of fun events and activities over the next few months.
Written By Melissa Peterson
From summertime camp adventures and both youth and adult sports leagues to community center activities and a brand-new, unforgettable Fourth of July celebration, Ocala Recreation and Parks has plenty on the calendar for the upcoming season. Here’s a rundown of some of our favorite happenings—make sure to put them on your summertime to-do list!
Feel The Summer Camp Vibes
The City of Ocala’s City Kids Summer Camp, held each year at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, is a fun and exciting eight-week summer camp that includes various recreation activities, interactive presentations, field trips, STEM projects, recreational sports and more. The camp takes place Monday through Friday, June 3 through July 26. Times are 7:30am through 5:30pm for kids ages 5 through 12. Rates are $100 per camper per week for Ocala city residents and $120 for non-City residents.
As of publication, space was available for all weeks of camp. Visit ocalafl.gov/summercamp to register.
Park It
The City of Ocala has a variety of beautiful parks for the whole family. Different parks offer different amenities, such as playground equipment, walking trails and courts for various sports. There is also a wide-range of ranger-led programs and activities for everyone, from the tiniest toddlers to active seniors—and everyone in between. Here are a few highlights happening in the City of Ocala parks this month and throughout the summer.
The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park is home to educational exhibits and kiosks, boardwalks, two and a half miles of paved walking trail, and wildlife overlooks. By developing and operating this park, the City of Ocala has created a wetland ecosystem, which is improving water quality and boosting regional groundwater supplies by utilizing treated wastewater. Located near Lillian Bryant Park, the newest addition to the park is the open-air pavilion that will allow for educational classes to take place. The park is open each day from sunrise to sunset, and pets, bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited.
The Ocala Skate Park offers 6 acres of surface for skaters. Skateboards, in-line skates and freestyle bicycles are the only recreational activities allowed at the park. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All bicyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet. The City of Ocala strongly urges all skaters, boarders, bikers and other participants to wear helmets and elbow, wrist and knee pads for their protection. More information about the park can be found at ocalafl.gov/skatepark
Walk the trail and dive into Ocala’s history at Fort King National Historic Landmark. A typical U.S. Army frontier fort and a noteworthy symbol of the longest and costliest war America had with its native people—the Seminole War—at Fort King National Historic Landmark, history comes to life though events and programs, the heritage garden, the reconstructed fort, a nature walking trail that includes the Seep Spring, Chickee, welcome center and Archaeology Resource Center. Learn more about Fort King at ocalafl.gov/fortking.
Highlights & Happenings
Live on the Square
Fridays and Saturdays, 6-8pm
Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday on the downtown square while you shop, dine and unwind for the week.
Sunset Songs Series
May 22, 6-8pm
This free concert series on the downtown square brings you the best local and regional artists performing funk, blues, reggae and country originals as the sun goes down. All concerts are free—just bring your lawn chair or blanket. This month’s concert features J & The Causeways.
Junior Ranger Summer Stewards
May 1:Leave No Trace, Tuscawilla Park
May 8: Nocturnal Nature, Heritage Nature Conservancy
May 15: Fishing Clinic, Tom’s Park
May 22: Pollinators & Plants, Scott Springs Park
May 29:Birdhouse Workshop, Tuscawilla Park
June 5:Wildlife Observation, S. Stanley Malever Nature Park
Get ready for exciting adventures focused on nature knowledge, eco-friendly missions and the opportunity to unleash the eco-warrior within you. Attend four out of seven sessions to earn a Junior Ranger pin to display at the campfire celebration on June 12. Program is free for ages 5-17. Registration is required.
Fort King Youth Summer Workshops
June 1: Historic Storytelling
June 8: Garden Tours & Tools
June 15: Nature Journaling
June 22: High Tea
June 29: Crochet
July 13: Soap Making
In this new program at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, each class will teach a past-time activity that has been passed down through generations with modern day twists and skills. Program takes place Saturdays from 10am-noon and is for ages 10-17. Cost is $10 per class. Learn more at fortkingocala.com.
Fun In The Sun Outdoor Adventures
June 4 & 6: Tuscawilla Park
June 11 & 13: Jervey Gantt
June 18 & 20: Lillian Bryant
June 25 & 27: Tom’s Park
July 2: Turnipseed
July 9 & 11: Citizens’ Circle
July 16 & 18: Clyatt Park
July 23 & 25: Fisher Park
July 30 & August 1: Idylweir Park
On Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout June and July the Recreation and Parks Department will bring all the summertime fun to our local parks. The events are free and take place from 1-3pm.
Reading with the Rangers
June 7: Fort King National Historic Landmark
June 14: Ocala Wetland Recharge Park
June 21: Tom’s Park
June 28: Scott Springs Park
July 5: Heritage Nature Conservancy
July 12: Tuscawilla Park
July 19: Fort King National Historic Landmark
July 26: Citizens’ Circle
Parks are a great place to read—just ask an Ocala Park Ranger! Pack a snack, blanket or chair, and get ready to enjoy a good book. The program is free, and open to all ages and takes place at 10am.
Summer Nights Lecture Series
July 11-August 15
Thursdays, 6-8pm
Free, Ages 13+
Be immersed in history as you explore Ocala’s and Florida’s past. Happening at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, each week features a different topic and is presented by professionals in the natural and historical fields. The program is free.
Public Archaeology Day
July 20, 9am-3pm
Join Gulf Archaeology Research Institute archaeologists as they excavate Fort King looking for artifacts. You’ll see how excavations are done, data is recorded and how the information is used to learn about the past. This is a free activity at the Fort King National Historic Landmark.
Community Culture
Although technically part of the Growth Management Department and not Recreation and Parks, City of Ocala Cultural Arts is responsible for some of our favorite annual events and traditions.
May will see the final First Friday Art Walk of the season. This free event takes place September through May and features over 30 artist displays, monthly live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations and extended shopping hours. If you’re interested in showcasing your art or being a business sponsor for the next season of the First Friday Art Walk, new registration applications will be available over the summer. Learn more at ocalafl.gov/artwalk.
The City of Ocala, in partnership with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Juneteenth Celebration Committee, and Marion Cultural Alliance, is excited to host the 2024 Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series. Now in its eighth year, the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series presents free, family-friendly concerts to the public each spring. May is the last month of this year’s series, so make sure you don’t miss out! Learn more about the music series at ocalafl.gov/levittamp.
Learn more about the City of Ocala Cultural Arts and what’s in store during the upcoming fall season at ocalafl.gov/culturalarts.
Highlights & Happenings
First Friday Art Walk
May 3, 6-9pm
Downtown Square
Levitt AMP Ocala
Music Series
May 3, 10, 17, 7-9pm
Webb Field
Get Active
The City of Ocala has several community and recreation centers, each offering a wide variety of programs and activities for both kids and active adults alike.
E.D. Croskey Recreation Center is the oldest established center with the City of Ocala. Creativity abounds here with various arts and crafts programs, a computer lab, instructional programs, a FUNtastic After School Program and a wide variety of summer programs and awesome camps. Adjacent to this center is the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex. This 24-acre park offers basketball courts, exercise equipment, grills, playground, racquetball, tennis courts, a pavilion with picnic tables, a Little League/Babe Ruth baseball field, football/soccer field and health, memorial and walking trails. The Fitness Zone at E. D. Croskey Recreation Center is free and offers cardio machines, free weights, a Smith machine and other essentials for a comprehensive workout.
The new 41,750 square foot, two-story Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place serves as the hub of the community. The facility includes designated indoor spaces for senior, youth and family programs and a 400-seat banquet/event space. Health and wellness facilities include an open fitness area; indoor walking track; two multi-purpose studios with an operable partition for larger groups; a mind, body and dance studio; two full basketball courts; a gymnasium with 120-person bleachers for each court; indoor playground; senior studio and multipurpose room; and the Sankofa Public Library and media center.
The Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center located in Tuscawilla Park provides the opportunity for adults aged 50 and older to participate in educational programs, become physically active, socialize and learn about community resources, or receive referrals for services. The Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center offers a wide variety of activities, programs and special events to adult citizens. Bingo, bridge, dance, educational and environmental classes, exercise, games, health, movies, trips and woodcarving are available throughout the year.
The Discovery Center is Ocala’s local children’s science center. Located at Tuscawilla Park, the Discovery Center is a place for kids to learn in a fun, hands-on way with a series of rotating exhibits and STEAM-centered classes. The Discovery Center offers science classes for ages 2 and up on a weekly basis in two, nine-week sessions. The StarLab Planetarium at the Discovery Center is an inflatable planetarium that brings the wonder of the night sky, the solar systems and even the galaxy indoors. StarLab Planetarium shows are held at 11am, 1pm and 3pm every Saturday.
Highlights & Happenings
Rec It Fridays
Through August 16
Every third Friday, 5-7pm
Recreation staff will arrange fun games and activities for families to enjoy. This free program takes place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, and all ages are welcome.
YALLA! Teen Club
Tuesdays, 4:30pm
May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6: MANGAlicious
May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20: Con FAB
Be a part of a talented teen team. Guide, participate and design innovative library programs while enjoying snacks and making friends. Takes place at the Sankofa Public Library at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
Games on a Table
May 6-August 26
Mondays, 4pm
All ages can play classic and contemporary tabletop games at the Sankofa Public Library at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
Attack of the Bloodsuckers
May 25-August 31
At the newest exhibit, Attack of the Bloodsuckers, discover the science behind bloodsucking creatures. Explore their characteristics, habits and the reasons they bite. Understand how they are attracted to heat and CO2 in your breath and identify them by their mouth parts. The center is closed May 13 through 24 for installation of this new exhibit.
Discovery Center Wonder Lab
May 28-August 17
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 1:30-3:30pm
May 28-June 1, July 9-13: Microscope Lab
June 4-8, July 16-20: Art Space 2-D
June 11-15, July 23-27: Chemistry Lab
June 18-22, July 30-August 3: Art Space 3-D
June 25-29, August 6-10: Engineer’s Workshop
July 2-6, August 13-17: Women in STEAM
This series will follow a STEAM-centered theme every week with a complimentary hands-on activity. The program is free with admission.
Summer Rec It Studio
Mondays-Saturdays, 11am-7pm
May 28-June 1: Wild Kingdom
June 3-8: Elements
June 10-15: International
June 17-22: Juneteenth
June 24-29: Entertainment
July 1-6: Twilight/Science Fiction
July 8-13: Western
July 15-27: Outer space
July 29-August 16: Beach
Take part in a summer of unforgettable moments, laughter and new friendships. All ages are welcome, and the program takes place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
Date Night at the Discovery Center
May 31, 6-8:30pm
Attack of the Bloodsuckers
June 28, 6-8:30pm
LEGO Lounge
Guests enjoy light appetizers, kid-free playtime in the current exhibit and hands-on activities like animal encounters and science experiments. Cost is $30 per couple, and the program is for ages 18+. Registration is required.
Men’s Basketball Summer League
June 3-July 10
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-8:45pm
This league will take place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place and be a 5 vs. 5 (10-man max roster) full court league. The season includes 10 regular season games and a single-elimination playoff. Registration required, $425 per team.
Youth Summer Basketball Leagues
June 3-July 27
This program offers three different leagues: Start Smart (ages 5-7), Mighty Ballers (ages 8-10) and Future Ballers (ages 11-12). Practices and games take place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, and the cost is $60 per participant.
Adventure Begins
June 6-July 25
Thursdays, 11:30am
This program is especially for families and takes place at the Sankofa Public Library at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. Venture in for a variety of stories, crafts and games.
Ocala Juneteenth Celebration
June 15, 8am-3pm
The City of Ocala along with the Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission acknowledges the delay of freeing the enslaved in the state of Texas with this event at Webb Field at Martin Luther King Recreation Complex.
Skillz & Drillz
Mondays, July 1-29
5:30-6:30pm
This sports program for kids ages 5-7 is the perfect blend of fun and learning, aiming to sculpt a solid foundation for both physical and cognitive sports development. Cost is $15 per player, and the program takes place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
After Dark In The Park Movie
July 26, 7-9pm
The Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place will host this free movie night where Space Jam will be shown. Movie is rated PG.
Teen Sports Summer Camps
July 29-August 28 and August 6-29
These two camps are exclusively for teens ages 13-19. The teen basketball camp will take place July 29-August 28, and the teen volleyball camp will take place August 6-29. The camps take place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place from 6-8pm and cost $50 per person per sport.
Dive In
The Hampton and Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Centers both offer a spray feature, waterfall and water slide, as well as a zero-grade entry for easy access and a maximum depth of 5.5 feet. The Hampton facility, located at 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, opens for the season on May 25, while the Jervey Gantt facility, located at 2390 SE 36th Avenue, opens for the season on May 18. Pools are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Admission for one time slot is $2 per child and $3.50 per adult.
City of Ocala splash pads will be open from sunrise to sunset throughout the summer months and into fall. Splash pads are free. Lily’s Splash Pad is located at 2200 NW 17th Place, and the Citizens’ Circle Splash Pad is located at 151 SE Osceola Avenue.
Learn more about these programs and register at ocalafl.gov/aquatics.
Learn To Swim
May 21-July 25
Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9-9:30am (at both aquatic centers), 5:30-6pm
(at Jervey Gantt)
The program consists of six lessons over a two-week period. Students are placed in groups according to their swimming levels. Students will learn how to stay safe around water, floating, strokes, how to be efficient swimmers and additional aquatic skills. Cost is $55 per participant.
Aqua Fit
June 7-July 26
Fridays, 9-10am
This eight-week aerobics class for adults ages 50+ takes place at the Hampton Aquatic Center and costs $40 per person. This low-impact class is designed to improve flexibility, range of motion, strength, muscle tone and cardiovascular endurance.
Junior Lifeguard
June 24-28, 9am-noon
The program offers hands-on experience for teenagers ages 13-15 interested in being a lifeguard as future summer employment. Participants will receive training in water skills, escape techniques, CPR, AED and first aid. The program takes place at Jervey Gantt Aquatic Center, and costs $75 per participant.
Learn more about the City of Ocala’s Recreation and Parks Department and stay up to date on upcoming events and activities at ocalafl.gov/recpark. For a full listing of summertime events, check out the Summer Activity Guide on the same website.
Patriotic Skies: A Fourth of July Drone Experience
July 4, 5-10pm
Tuscawilla Park
This inaugural event will feature a one-of-a-kind drone display, replacing traditional fireworks during the celebration. Citizens will be treated to a light show displaying patriotic images across the sky, with Tuscawilla Park serving as the backdrop. In addition to the drone show, guests will enjoy live entertainment, food trucks and a kids’ zone.
According to the City of Ocala, “Drone light shows offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fireworks. Utilizing drones for light displays reduces noise, light pollution and fire hazards associated with traditional fireworks, allowing for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to enjoy festivities.”
Admission to this event is free, and the drone show begins at 9:30pm. Learn more at ocalafl.gov/julyfourth.