Tag Archives: el paso parks and rec

The Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to celebrate Arbor Day with several activities, including a tree celebration at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 1.

The event, to be held at Sgt. Jesus Roberto Vasquez USMC Park at 12930 GR Compuzano Street, marks the 12^th straight year the City of El Paso has been recognized with the distinguished award of “Tree City USA.”

All El Paso Residents are encouraged to become stewards of their environment by planting, maintaining, and protecting trees to improve our quality of life.

District 5 City Representative Isabel Salcido and Chair of the El Paso Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Julia Smith will lead off a series of activities that include an appearance by mascot “Smokey Bear.” In addition, fourth and fifth-grade students from Purple Heart Elementary School who won an Arbor Day Poster Contest will be recognized.

Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872 to encourage individuals to plant and care for trees. Trees play an important role in the cultural and economic development of the city while providing beauty, energy conservation and help to clean our air.

For more information on the Arbor Day event, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 212-0092 or visit their website.

Ahead of this weekend’s celebrations of Mother’s Day around the area in city parks, officials announce a special concert – as well as remind residents about cleaning up after themselves.

As part of the 2019 Summer Concert Series, the Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Cigna HealthSpring, invite the public to celebrate mom with a free Mother’s Day Concert at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, at Eastwood Park located at 3001 Parkwood Drive.

The outdoor event includes a variety of dance groups and entertainment followed by headline performances from Juan Gabriel impersonator Hugo Cortes and Mariachi Alegre.

In addition, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities and purchase treats from food truck vendors.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as well as food and beverages (no alcohol) to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment.

All locations are dog-friendly; however, pet owners are required to have their pets on a leash.

The Mother’s Day concert sponsored by Cigna HealthSpring kicks off the 2019 Summer Concert Series. The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting several free concerts at various parks across the City throughout the summer.

For more information on the Mother’s Day Concert and the Summer Concert Series, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (915)212-0092 or visit their website.

Additionally, officials with the  Parks and Recreation Department ask the public to keep parks clean by picking up trash during Mother’s Day weekend.

Park maintenance staff spent three days picking up trash left behind during this year’s Easter weekend celebrations at City parks.

“The festive weekend is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for people to use city parks to celebrate,” officials shared via an emailed news release. “The Parks and Recreation Department provides trash bins but encourages park visitors to bring trash bags. Pets are always welcome at City parks, but pet owners are asked to pick up pet waste and keep their pets on a leash.”

In addition, used charcoal and other items should be taken home by park visitors or thrown in the proper receptacle and not on the ground or next to trash bins or trees as the charcoal can damage grass and destroy trees.

Residents are asked to know the rules and be mindful when visiting City parks.

Do’s and Don’ts for Park Visitors

• The simple rule “leave it better than you found it” applies to all park users
• Trash left in the parks should be put in a trash bag and left in a trash bin and not in grocery bags or empty boxes on the ground.
• Charcoal should not be left on the ground, grass or by trees. Charcoal should be put in a proper receptacle and disposed of properly in a trash bin or taken home.
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking (including e-cigarettes) are not allowed in city parks
• City ordinance violators should be reported to the police immediately

The Parks and Recreation Department invites the public to enjoy free, family-friendly entertainment with the 2019 Summer Concert Series.

The series kicks off with a Mother’s Day Concert at 5 p.m. on May 12, at Eastwood Park, 3001 Parkwood Drive.

The concerts will take places at various City parks and feature a variety of musical performances ranging from rock and pop to jazz, Latin and more.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as well as food and beverages (no alcohol) to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment. All locations are dog friendly, however, pet owners are required to have their pets on a leash.

In the event of inclement weather on the day of a concert, guests can check the status of the event by visiting the El Paso Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

Date                           City Park                                                                   Entertainment

May 12, 5 p.m.        Eastwood Park, 3001 Parkwood St.                                        Mariachi Alegra

May 26, 6 p.m.        Memorial Park, 1701 N. Copia Dr.                      Locomotion Band

June 2, 6 p.m.         Westside Community Park, 7400 High Ridge         Billy Townes Band

June 16, 6 p.m.        Salvador Rivas Park, 12515 Tierra Norte              Hypnosis Band

June 22, 6 p.m.        Ponder Park, 7500 W.H. Burges Dr.                    Mariachis

June 23, 6 p.m.        Sue Young Park, 9730 Diana St.                         Dream Merchants Band

July 4, 5 p.m.          San Jacinto Plaza, 111 Mills Ave.                        Hypnosis/Dream Merchants

July 7, 6 p.m.          Pavo Real Park, 9301 Alameda Ave.                   La Magiztral Sonora Band

July 14, 6 p.m.         Argal Park, 11565 James Watt Dr.                      Borderline Band

The 2019 Summer Concert Series schedule is also available on the Parks and Recreation website.

Thursday morning, officials with the Parks and Recreation Department reminded the public to keep parks clean by picking up their trash during Easter weekend celebrations.

“Parks are for everyone and want people to enjoy our beautiful parks during the holiday and every day, but we want everyone to enjoy them in a clean and safe environment,” said Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Novak. “We are asking the public to help us keep our parks clean by picking up and disposing of their own trash as they use the parks.”

Easter weekend is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year to be outdoors with thousands of people using city parks to celebrate. The Parks and Recreation Department provides trash bins but encourages park visitors to bring trash bags.

Pets are always welcome at City parks but pet owners are asked to pick up pet waste and keep their pets on a leash.

In addition, used charcoal and other items should be taken home by park visitors or thrown in the proper receptacle and not on the ground, or next to trash bins or trees as the charcoal can damage grass and destroy trees.

The City of El Paso has a total of 283 parks. Last year, it took the Park Maintenance Division of the Parks and Recreation Department about three to four days to fully get rid of trash left behind by visitors.

In an effort to keep parks clean, additional trash bins will be placed at City parks and extra Parks and Recreation staff will be working through the weekend.

Residents are asked to know the rules and be mindful when visiting City parks.

Do’s and Don’ts for Park Visitors

• The simple rule “leave it better than you found it” applies to all park users
• Trash left in the parks should be put in a trash bag and left in a trash bin and not left in grocery bags or empty boxes on the ground.
• Charcoal should not be left on the ground, grass or by trees. Charcoal should be put in a proper receptacle and disposed of properly in a trash bin or taken home.
• Alcoholic beverages, smoking (including e-cigarettes) are not allowed in city parks
• City ordinance violators should be reported to the police immediately

During the month of March, the Parks and Recreation Department will be offering Lifeguard Training classes at two different aquatic centers.

The course teaches the duties and responsibilities of lifeguards to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies and procedures carried out in a professional manner. Successful completion of the training will result in the issuance of American Red Cross Lifeguard certification that includes Lifeguard/CPR/AED and First Aid.

In addition, the courses will prepare students for potential employment with the Aquatics Division of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Each course is $217 per person but pricing discount information is available.

A pre-requisite swim test will be given on the first day of class. Some of the pre-requisite skills needed are swimming continuously for 300 yards, treading water for two minutes and various completions of timed events.

The lifeguard training classes will be offered on the following days:

March 16 – 19

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Armijo Aquatic Center, 911 South Ochoa St.

March 18 – 21

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Westside Natatorium, 650 Wallenburg Dr.

March 20 – 23

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Armijo Aquatic Center, 911 South Ochoa St.

To register for classes, or for more information, call the Aquatics Division of the Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 212-2173 or visit their website.

The Parks and Recreation Department has opened registration for the annual Senior Games that begin with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 2 at the Polly Harris Senior Center, located at 650 Wallenberg.

The Senior Games are for men and women who are 50 or older. The games provide a variety of sports, activities, and social events during March, April and May.

Each year, the games attract hundreds of athletes, along with guests and friends from around the area. The games are created to provide recreational opportunities, encourage fitness as a life-long activity, combine sports and games with fitness, fun, and fellowship and promote the positive public image of seniors.

Interested athletes may participate for $15 for two events or $45 to participate in all events. The Senior Games run through May and are sponsored by United Healthcare and Urgent Care Home Heath Inc.

For more information and to register for the Senior Games, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 503-6544 or visit the Parks and Rec website.

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department announces the return of the Club Rec summer camp for children with registration now open at any City recreation center.

The camp offers activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, field trips and free lunch for children ages 6 to 12. A teen mentoring program is also available for teenagers ages 13 to 16.

The Club Rec camp runs from June 18 to August 10.  Scholarships are available to help pay for the registration fee.

Registration for the summer program costs $40 per week for children 6 to 12 and $20 per week for the teen mentoring program.

For more information on the Parks and Recreation Club Rec Program, including registration locations, call (915) 212-0092 or visit the city’s website.

The Parks and Recreation Department launches the 2018 Senior Games with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, at the Polly Harris Senior Center located at 650 Wallenberg Drive in West El Paso

The Senior Games are for men and women who are 50 or older. The games provide a variety of sports, activities, and social events during February, March, April and May.

Each year, the games attract hundreds of athletes, along with guests and friends from around the area.

The games are created to provide recreational opportunities, encourage fitness as a life-long activity, combine sports and games with fitness, fun, and fellowship and promote the positive public image of seniors.

The Senior Games will start at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 24, with a basketball skills competition at Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Dr. and a 1500 meters and 5k road race at the Polly Harris Senior Center.

Interested athletes may participate in the Senior Games for $15 for two events or $45 to participate in all events. The Senior Games run through May and are sponsored by United Healthcare and Urgent Care Home Heath Inc.

For more information on the Senior Games, call the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 503-6544.

The City of El Paso was awarded grant funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Conservation License Plates Program to host a two-day workshop to promote green infrastructure and pollinator habitats.

The workshop will include a session on green infrastructure on August 24 and a half-day workday at Esmeralda Park on August 25.

Community members will learn how to alter a landscape to naturally absorb more water.  The workshop is brought to the community by the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist, El Paso Water, High Desert Native Plants, and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission.

WHAT:     Green Infrastructure Workshop: Putting it to Work

WHEN:     8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, August 24, and 8 a.m. to noon, Friday, August 25

WHERE:   Thursday – El Paso Community College Library, 6701 S. Desert Blvd.

Friday – Esmeralda Park, 709 Esmeralda Armendariz (community members will be planting on site)

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will begin registration on August 15 for the After School Program for the 2016-2017 school year.

The program costs $5 per week, per child and is offered at select elementary schools in the EPISD and YISD school districts for ages 5 through 12. The program starts September 6, with hours from school dismissal to 6 p.m. A healthy, nutritious evening meal is served on a daily basis.

The After School Program is designed to keep participants in a safe and fun environment by providing them with homework space, table games, sports activities, arts and crafts, and much more.

The program is benefited through the support of the Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation.

For more information call the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 544-0753.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month and the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating by inviting everyone to participate in a variety of activities and events during the month.

July will be highlighted by events such as a sand volleyball and kickball tournament, table tennis and huachas and horseshoe tournament, as well as aerobic classes and dances, just to name a few.

The month-long celebration also includes free outdoor concerts at various City parks, including an Independence Day Celebration and Concert on July 3 at San Jacinto Plaza.

Since 1985, July has been recognized as National Park and Recreation Month in the United States as a way of establishing and maintaining the quality of life for, and contributing to the physical, economic and environmental well-being of communities.

The activities and events are free and open to all ages. To find a complete list of activities, click on the National Parks and Recreation Month banner at www.elpasotexas.gov or call (915) 544-0753.