City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department Announces Installation of Lights at Skate Park

OCALA, Fla. (June 10, 2020) – The City of Ocala has completed the installation of lights at the Ocala Skate Park, 517 NE Ninth St.

Effective immediately, the new hours of operation will be sunrise to 10 p.m., daily. The installation of lights will allow park-goers extended skate time hours and provide safer, well-lit conditions.

The Ocala Skate Park opened in May 2019 and is the first community skate park in Ocala.  The 10,000 square foot street course provides recreational space for skateboarders, in-line skating and freestyle bicycling.

For more information about the Ocala Skate Park, visit www.ocalafl.org/skatepark.

OCALA, Fla. (May 20, 2020) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host summer camp June 8 through July 31. Summer camp programs will be offered at the following four facilities:

• Lillian F. Bryant Community Center, 2200 NW 17th Pl., 352-629-8389
• E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St., 352-401-3920
• Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., 352-401-3900
• Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., 352-368-5533

Detailed information about each camp, including how to register and a full list of regulations, can be found at www.ocalafl.org/recpark. Fees and participants ages vary per camp program.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, additional regulations will be in effect for day camp operations this summer:

• Limitations of participants will be strictly enforced at each camp
• Guidelines for drop-off and pick-up protocols must be observed by all participants
• Parents/guardians will not be permitted to enter the buildings
• Temperature and health screenings at drop-off
• Staff will be assigned the same children/groups all week
• No mixing/mingling between groups
• Where practical, children will be seated 6 feet apart and groups will be limited to 10 or less
• All children and staff will be required to wear cloth face coverings

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We know most of you are practicing social distancing by staying at home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some FUN. Our Recreation & Parks staff is here to help! Throughout the week we’ll bring you a variety of live and pre-recorded videos of engaging activities, most of them you can do with us right from your own living room. Meet the critters and perform science experiments from the Discovery Center, get active with our quick fitness routines, explore the Fort King National Historic Landmark and learn about public art!

All you have to do is “LIKE” and “FOLLOW” us on Facebook at Ocala Recreation & Parks @OcalaRecPark

For more information, call our office at 352-368-5517

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OCALA, Fla. (March 10, 2020) – The City of Ocala is providing residents with free tire disposal Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Disposal locations will be at the corner of NE 14th Street and NE Eighth Avenue and the Hampton Aquatic Fun Center located at 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Tires generated by businesses will not be accepted and there is a limit of 10 tires per resident. This service is for residents living within the city limits. A driver’s license listing a city address may be requested.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Residential Sanitation Division at 352-351-6697.

OCALA, Fla. (March 10, 2020) – The City of Ocala invites the public to an opening exhibit reception for the “MOMENTUM” Student and Emerging Artist Competition Thursday, March 19 at 5:30pm at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.

Guests will experience the work of local student and emerging artists, high school through age 30, which explores how they express themselves through art, while enjoying music by The Mudds Jazz and Blues Band. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

All artwork will be available for purchase and will be on display Thursday, March 19 until Thursday, July 9 at City Hall during normal business hours.

A juror will select awards in each division including Best of Show. The prizes for this competition include more than $2,000 in awards, including scholarships to the College of Central Florida (high school division), a feature in Ocala Magazine (Best of Show), a professional artwork scan (first place in each division), an annual memberships to the Appleton Museum of Art, Marion Cultural Alliance, and a registration fee waiver for the 2020-21 season of First Friday Art Walk (all winners). Continue reading →

Ocala’s downtown square that it is!!

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the downtown square on select evenings during the month of December. There will be holiday music and snacks, too!

This is a chance for all of Ocala’s good little boys and girls to talk to Santa and share their holiday wishes with him.

Come downtown and create some lasting holiday memories.

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten

OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 24, 2019

On sale: Now

Four strong, sassy Southern women are drawn together by fate in their quest for happiness… through happy hour! Perfectionist workaholic Randa is struggling with a derailed career. Recently widowed Dot is learning to start her life over alone. Boisterous good ol’ gal Marlafaye is freshly divorced and looking for revenge on her tom-catting ex. And spunky fireball Jinx offers her services as a life coach, though she needs good advice more than anyone. Over six months of laughter, hilarious misadventures, and bonding over cocktails, these Savannah soul-sisters form lasting friendships, renewing their confidence and enthusiasm for life. Cheers to this delightful comedy by the authors of The Dixie Swim Club! Continue reading →

By Jeanie Linders

JANUARY 2 – 19, 2020

On sale: November 18

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHOW CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT AND RACY HUMOR WHICH MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES.

Celebrate “The Change” in this hilarious parody of popular music from the baby boomer era, as four women bond over the shared sisterhood of hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and sexual woes. Returning to the OCT stage after its popular 2017 visit, the tour of this long-running Las Vegas hit musical will have you laughing, cheering, and dancing in the aisles!