OCALA, Fla. (May 22, 2020) –The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department is lifting restrictions of parks within the city limits.  Florida’s Governor announced on Friday, May 22 that all state-issued restrictions on youth activities, including individual and non-organized sports, will be lifted effective immediately.

Activities such as walking, jogging and bicycling in parks will continue to be allowed, and outdoor activities including basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and the Ocala Skate Park will have restrictions lifted under the new governor advisory. The six-feet physical distancing rule and face coverings are recommended in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) directions.

The following City of Ocala splash pads are now open with no restrictions, Lily’s Splash Pad, 2200 NW 17 Pl. and Citizens’ Circle Splash Pad, 160 E Fort King St. Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset daily.  Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (May 22, 2020) – The City of Ocala will allow the use of golf carts, low-speed vehicles and mini trucks on designated city streets beginning Monday, June 1.

Persons operating a golf cart or low speed vehicle within the downtown area are required to register for a one-time permit, at a cost of $30.00.  This registration fee will be used to provide information to law enforcement with ownership information in the event of an accident or theft. A decal will be assigned to the vehicle and must be displayed on the left side of your vehicle.

To start the registration process, download the application form at www.ocalafl.org/GolfCart.  Once completed, the signed and notarized form must be returned to the City of Ocala using one of the following options:

By mail: Mail the form and enclosed check to the following address. All checks must be made payable to the City of Ocala.  Once processed the City will mail you a decal for the golf cart.  Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (May 21, 2020) – The 2020 Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) reminds customers to stay safe, be prepared and have a plan.  To download the free storm preparation guide, view/report a power outage, or receive power outage notifications visit severeweather.ocalafl.org. If a storm does affect this area, stay away from downed power lines – do not come in contact with them. Electric crews will work diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.

OEU has developed 10 safety tips that electric customers should follow to protect themselves and their homes. These safety tips point out information customers may not know or may have forgotten from past hurricanes, tropical storms and weather-related events. Continue reading →

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department continues to roll out a phased approach to reopening parks for individual and non-organized sports use within the city limits. We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting our summer camps this year. Beginning May 18, the Skate Park will no longer require reservations. However, as with all of our parks, the six-feet physical distancing rule must always be maintained, and face coverings are recommended in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) directions.

We will be hosting four different summer camps this year from June 8 through July 31. Registration opens Tuesday, May 26. Click here to learn more about our camps.

Reservations are no longer required to use the skate park. Ten skaters will be allowed into the park at a time and it on a first come, first served basis.

we’ve got even more great #StayAndPlayOcala videos coming up! Don’t miss any by following us on Facebook! DYK? We are also on YouTube!

We are heading to Fort King National Historic Landmark to learn about Leave No Trace, learning how to make a bird feeder from a water bottle, watching the dinosaur exhibit at the Discovery Center be dismantled and more!

Pictured is Lane hunting Easter Eggs with his Mother, Father, Grandmother and Grandfather. It was a 30 minute hunt and was rewarding for all. This family had plans for a big family reunion Easter dinner and an Easter Egg hunt with lots of children. Along came Coronavirus killing people, making people sick. I have one thing to say. Let’s remember what Easter stands for and I say no more.

 (OCALA, Fla.) April 22, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue paramedics will be staffing a temporary COVID-19 testing site at the Hampton Center, 1501 W Silver Springs Blvd. Testing will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., until further notice.Testing will be for symptomatic patients, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.

Cracker Days is put on by the Friends of Rainbow Springs the volunteer group for Rainbow Springs State Park. Once a year the event shows Life in Florida in the 1800s. They set up a settlement in the back of the park and shuttle people back and forth. It is a great experience for the whole family.

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Let me tell you about my Habitat Ocala 2020 Strawberry Festival experience. First the support team was awesome. There were students from Marion County schools that helped with everything. There were two volunteers who saw my wife and I struggling with our pop up tent so they walk right over and pitched in. I was walking to registration a guy in a golf cart said get in. I must have looked really beat. I was!

The Vendor area was well mark and well thought out. I was pleased to see the preparation that went into this festival. My contact person was Joann Black. Thank you Joann and Habitat of Ocala for putting this on.

They were selling Strawberry short cake. I heard one lady that they served 4,000 short cakes. Actually I think they sold out of food between 3 and 4 pm. Truckloads of strawberry flats sold out.

Some 34,000 people attended. There was not a shortage of people. They would stroll by our booth, asking questions or say yes I read that paper. A couple asked my view of our up and coming race and of course I responded.

Many thanks to my wife Phyllis and Karen Nicely of “Writing Nicely” for helping me get through the day. Karen is a copy editor she will edit your book and give helpful hints if you want it. A very talented lady.

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