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 The
Parks Department and ASA District 38 will be hosting the ASA Girl's
12Under "B" Fast-Pitch State Tournament at Kit McConnico Park June
18-20. Approximately 30 teams from all over Texas will be traveling
to Lufkin to participate in a chance to advance to southern
nationals in Oklahoma City. Anybody wanting to see some great ball
being played by 11-12 year old girls is invited to come out free of
charge and enjoy the festivities. Please contact the Parks
Department at 633-0250 or visit www.lufkinparks.com or visit
asadistrict38.com for information on the state tournament. For more
information
click here. |
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 Just
because the thermometer is above 100 degrees doesn't mean you can't
cool off.
Take it from the more than 30 kids who had a "splish-splashing" good
time Friday afternoon at the grand reopening of a favorite local
swimming pool.
After officially reopening Jones Pool, located on Martin Luther King
Jr. Drive, city staff joined the large crowd of eager kids for a dip
in the water to beat the heat.
"Looks like we've got a lot of swimmers out here today," said Mayor
Jack Gorden to the crowd. "I couldn't think of a more perfect day to
go for a swim here in Lufkin."
Jones Pool closed last year because of a lack of lifeguards, but
effective Friday the pool is now free and open to the public from 2
p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Read more about it in
the
Lufkin Daily News.
Watch the Video. |
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 Sounds of children laughing and a
train whistling joined the smells of cooking meat and the waves of 100
degree heat at the Ellen Trout Park on Saturday. The Fourth of July
celebration started off slow as the Texas sun kept many indoors for much
of the day, but with sunset came growing crowds of people as vendors saw
their lines increase and chairs fill up just before the firework
extravaganza.
"We were lacking a little during the day, but I think that is just
because of all this heat," said Lufkin Parks and Recreation
Superintendent Mike Akridge. "But I've been here 32 years, and I'm
confident that people will turn out once it cools off a little."
Akridge's prediction was spot on, as people filed into the park later in
the day to grab a spot to watch the fireworks show. However, those who
braved the heat were able to enjoy live music all day, as well as
various activities and vending booths. Read more about it in the
Lufkin Daily News. Watch the
video of the fireworks display from start to finish! |
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 City
parks are meant to be places to enjoy the great outdoors! Now park
users can “breathe a bit easier” because Lufkin’s parks will soon be
smoke free. On Tuesday, Lufkin City Council adopted an ordinance
banning smoking in City of Lufkin parks. In recommending the Smoke
Free Designation, Parks and Recreation Director Don Hannabas says,
“It’s the right thing to do. We have children and adults taking part
in athletic events and hundreds of spectators who join them. It is
our responsibility to keep them safe. Prohibiting the use of a
burning tobacco product is just one more way we can protect them.”
The ordinance restricts a person from having a “burning tobacco
product” within the boundaries of any City of Lufkin Park. In the
ordinance, the word “smoke” means to emit or exhale the smoke of
burning tobacco, weed or other plant or tobacco product. The City
will post signs at the entrances and throughout the parks that will
state “Smoking Strictly Prohibited”. The consequence is a penalty.
Police officers now have the authority to cite park-goers in
violation of the ordinance. Each fine carries up to a $500 penalty.
Mayor Jack Gorden adds, “Asking park users to refrain from smoking
while enjoying our beautiful parks is a small courtesy that will go
a long way to enhance the park experience. We respectfully ask all
park users to honor this ordinance.”
The ordinance takes place immediately. Hannabas and his staff polled
a number of cities around Texas on the “smoke free” policy. Many
communities either had a similar restriction in place or were in the
process of adopting it. Hannabas adds, “Our parks exist to provide
places for healthy play and recreation. Allowing a known health
hazard in our parks equates to a double standard.” |
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 The
expansion of the hike and bike trail at Kit McConnico Park began
Tuesday, March 31, according to David Steiner, of the Deep East
Texas Trail Route & Access Coalition (DET-TRAC). Funding for
the project, which includes a $60,000 grant from the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department in conjunction with the City of Lufkin Parks
Department, has been approved, and work on the addition was able to
begin, Steiner said. Read more about it in the
Lufkin Daily News. |
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 The
Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department will be starting up a special
needs softball program at Winston Park in April. A new field is
being built and bathrooms are being refurbished. Any child 4 through
22 that is still in school and has any type of diagnosis is welcome.
Cost is $20.00 and this provides each child with a shirt, hat and
insurance. Registration is taking place at the Downtown Recreation
Center, 125 North First Street. Practices will be taking place each
Saturday from 9:00 am till 11:00 am. Please contact Deanna Ramsey at
639-9554 or contact The Parks Department at 633-0250 for information
on Special Needs Softball. Read more about it in the
Lufkin Daily News. |
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 Welcome
to lufkinparks.com. The City of Lufkin Parks and Recreation Department has much
to offer the citizens of Lufkin. There are seventeen city parks with various
resources available. Facilities found at our parks include a zoo, miniature
train, swimming pool, spray and play pads, playground and exercise equipment,
multiple sports fields with stands and concessions, community centers and much,
much more. The Parks Department also offers many programs for the young and
young at heart. Spring programs include gymnastics, cheerleading, drill team,
dance, ballroom dance, dance aerobics, dulcimer, and senior aerobics. Sports
offered by the department are adult softball and basketball leagues and youth
basketball leagues. We also provide links to sports provided by other
organizations in our city. |
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