The Department of Recreation and Parks operates and maintains over 300 parks on more than 12,000 acres of parkland, as well as 145 recreation centers, 2 state-licensed child-care centers, and 25 senior centers.
Other Department facilities include 11 golf courses and a youth golf academy, 250 children’s play areas including 15 that are specifically designed for children of all abilities, 115 ball fields, 52 soccer fields, 110 tennis courts, 70 swimming pools, 50 miles of hiking trails, 18 skateboard parks, and an outdoor roller hockey rink.
The Department has 15 full-time and 29 part-time employees, as well as 25,00 registered volunteers who work at Department facilities and conduct Department programs. A five-member Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners sets the Department policy, which is implemented by the General Manager and Department staff. Construction of new facilities and improvement of existing ones is also supervised by the Department.
The Department offers a wide range of recreational, educational, and cultural programs and plenty of entertainment opportunities, including summer and winter concerts at Ampled Square and concerts at the American Theater.