Waco Parks and Recreation January Highlights

CITY OF WACO

PARKS AND RECREATION

JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Happy New Year from Waco Parks and Recreation! As we welcome 2020, we look forward to serving the Waco community by providing safe, well-maintained parks and public spaces, along with programs, events and activities designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors.

REACH YOUR FITNESS GOALS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTERS

Time to make good on those New Year's resolutions! Boost your fitness routines and achieve your health goals by participating in any of the great programs and activities offered at your local community centers. For information, contact each center directly.

Bledsoe-Miller Community Center (300 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 254-750-8684)

*Hip Hop Aerobics (ages 15+): Offered from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $5, per person/class.

*Zumba (ages 10+): Offered from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $3, per person/class.

Dewey Community Center (925 N. 9th St.; 254-750-8677)

*Hit the Floor Dance Fitness: Offered from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The cost is $3, per person/class.

*Karate (ages 5+): Offered from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The cost is $25, per person/month.

*Thursday Health Talks (topics vary): Offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on January 9 and 16 by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

*Zumba (all ages): Offered from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $3, per person/class.

South Waco Community Center (2815 Speight Ave.; 254-750-8650)

*Fab Fit (adults only): Offered from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Saturday classes offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost is $3, per person/class.

*Texas Size Fitness (for seniors): Offered from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $5, per participant, for six weeks worth of classes and a t-shirt.

*Zumba (ages 12+): Offered from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The cost is $3, per person/class.

COMMEMORATING THE LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

A wreath-laying ceremony, sponsored by the NAACP, will take place at 12 p.m. on Friday, January 17 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 300 MLK Jr. Blvd. The community is invited to attend the event in honor of the late civil rights leader.

Bring a candle and be part of the 33rd annual Candlelight Vigil on Monday, January 20. The vigil will take place a 6 p.m. at the historic Suspension Bridge, 300 MLK Jr. Blvd.

The 24th annual Peace March and Observance, organized by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, January 20 at Indian Spring Park in downtown Waco. Lunch and entertainment will follow at the Bledsoe-Miller Community Center, 300 MLK Jr. Blvd.

Keep Waco Beautiful and Waco Paddle Company will host the annual MLK Day of Service Brazos River Cleanup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, January 20. Cleaning materials will be provided. Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes and bring a reusable water bottle. The meeting point will be at the Waco Paddle Company truck, 200 S. University Parks Dr. To register, click here .

CITY OF WACO TO HONOR THE LATE MS. ALICE POLLARD

Alice Cooks Pollard (Aug. 6, 1948 - Nov. 4, 2019)

The City of Waco would like to honor Ms. Alice Pollard, a longtime employee at Waco Parks and Recreation's Dewey Community Center, as a Waco native who left a living legacy on the community. A proclamation will be issued by city officials during an MLK wreath-laying ceremony, scheduled to take place at 12 p.m. on Friday, January 17 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 300 MLK Jr. Blvd.

Ms. Pollard graduated from Paul Quinn College with a bachelor's degree in 1970 and was named Waco's first African American female police officer in 1972. She was a retired educator of more than 23 years for Waco ISD and served as a part-time City of Waco employee for 30 years.

The Waco trailblazer touched many lives during her career and was an influence on thousands of children and young adults. She was active in many volunteer programs and served on the Community Race Relations Coalition and the Waco NAACP. She was also a member of the Waco Lions Club and Waco Tribune-Herald/s Board of Contributors, often writing for the paper.

Ms. Pollard was recognized for many service awards throughout her life , including the Girl Scouts Woman Distinction Award, Central Texas African American Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the year award, YMCA Path Finder Award for Volunteerism, Parks and Recreation Part-Time Volunteer of the year award and the NeighborWorks Waco Community Volunteer of the year award.

WACO SCULPTURE ZOO UPDATE

Installation is wrapping up on the highly-anticipated Waco Sculpture Zoo, and it's a must-see, folks! Comprised of more than two dozen sculpture animals, the public art exhibit can be viewed along the Riverwalk on University Parks Dr. (from Washington Ave. to the back entrance of Cameron Park Zoo ). Most of the sculptures are already in place, and the remaining pieces will be up soon.

Artists from around the world submitted proposals and designs to be selected and included in the donor-funded project, which commemorates the Cameron Park Zoo. Each of the 28 unique sculptures represents a live counterpart at the zoo.

More information about the project can be found on the Creative Waco website .

Registration is underway (or will begin this month) for the following City of Waco adult sports leagues! For information, call (254) 750-5875 or visit www.teamsideline.com/waco.

Winter Men’s Open Basketball League

Late Registration: December 30 – January 3

Late Entry Fee: $350, per Team (Min. 8 players Max. 12 players)

Managers Meeting: January 9

League Begins: January 12

Location: City of Waco Community Centers

Games: 8 Game Season + Playoffs

Ages: 18+

Spring Adult Softball Season

Registration: January 13 – February 7

Entry Fee: $380, per Team

Late Registration: February 10 – 14

Late Entry Fee: $405, per Team

Manager’s Meeting: February 20

League Begins: February 24 (Pre-Season Tournament)

League Nights: Monday through Thursday

Location: Dubl-R Fields at Riverbend Park

Age: 18+

Games: 10 Game Season

Spring Adult Coed Volleyball League

Registration: January 27 – February 28

Entry Fee: $280, per Team

Late Registration: March 2 – 6

Late Entry Fee: $305, per Team

Coaches Meeting: March 12

Age: 18+ (min. age of 16, w/parental consent)

Location: City of Waco Recreation Centers

League Begins: March 19

Games: Min. 8 Game Season

Team: Min. 8 Players, Per Team

Discover all the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department has to offer! Visit our website for a complete calendar of programs and events happening in our parks, community centers, athletic division and more.

Website