Oak Ridge Today

Outdoor pool operating on holiday schedule on July 4

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Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool

Hundreds of swimmers enjoy the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road on Memorial Day 2012. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge Municipal Swimming Pool will operate on its holiday schedule on Friday, July 4. The outdoor pool will open at 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

The day is Fun Day at the pool as the lifeguards will conduct different activities starting at 2 p.m. for patrons to participate in fun events, balloon toss, intertube relays, etc.

Admission is $2 for children ages 3 to 12 and people 65 and older, $3 for ages 13-17, and $3.75 for adults. Children under 12 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult during public hours at the outdoor pool.

The city’s indoor pool and Oak Ridge Civic Center will be closed on July 4.

Please visit the website at www.orrecparks.org for information on all of the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department programs.

Enjoy city parks as weather warms this spring

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is working hard to prepare our award-winning parks and greenways for spring, officials said.

“After many days of cold weather and snow, sunshine and warmer temperatures will be drawing folks outside very soon,” a press release said. “This means more people will be utilizing our parks and greenway trails. To assure the safety of all of our visitors, it is especially important that everyone follow the posted rules.”

Please keep these rules in mind as you are out on our greenways and trails: [Read more…]

Registration for city summer camp begins April 1

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Registration for the 2014 Summer Camp sponsored by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will begin on Tuesday, April 1. A link to ActiveNet online registration will be available at www.orrecparks.org and www.oakridgetn.gov.

All applicants should create an online profile/account since camp information will be distributed to parents through ActiveNet email. Online registration is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week while walk-in registration is only available during regular Civic Center hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, a press release said. Payment can be made online with a credit card or the applicant can pay with cash or check at the Civic Center. Convenience fees will apply for all credit card payments. The city’s summer camp fills up fast, so early registration is advised. [Read more…]

Family Day at the Civic Center on March 15

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the Second Annual Family Day at the Civic Center from noon to 4 p.m. March 15. All activities except public swim and concessions are free. Concession items will include hot dogs, nachos, chips, cookies, juice, and soft drinks. A chili cook-off will be held in the Social Room. Those wishing to participate in the competition should call the Civic Center front desk to sign up.

Discounted public swim times, in 30-minute increments, will be offered for $1. Children two and under are free. The public swim is open to everyone and is scheduled at the indoor swimming pool from 12:30–1, 1:15–1:45, 2–2:30, and 2:45–3:15 p.m. Lifeguards will be on duty. If parents wish to supervise their children from the pool deck, they must pay admission and be dressed in swimming attire. If children do not need direct parental supervision, the pool can be viewed through glass windows in the snack bar and lobby areas.

Family activities will be offered throughout the Civic Center. They will include pool, ping pong, foosball, crafts, and board games. Active games, including badminton, corn hole, and family versions of volleyball and basketball, are planned for the gymnasium. [Read more…]

City egg hunt April 12

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2014 Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, and more than 15,000 candy and prize filled eggs will be hidden in A.K. Bissell Park with a first, second, and third place prize egg in each age group, a press release said.

Participants should assemble in the Civic Center gymnasium prior to 110 a.m. The children will be divided into separate age groups from four years old through 4th grade, and they will be escorted to their respective hunt areas. This event will be held “rain or shine,” so participants should dress for the weather. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and a drawing will be held for the prizes.

The Recreation and Parks Department staff will make a reasonable effort to provide appropriate accommodations for special needs. Parents of children who require a more accessible hunt area are encouraged to call ahead. [Read more…]

YAB, Youth Leadership take educational trip to Nashville

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Youth Advisory Board on Nashville Trip

Members of both groups are pictured above in the State Senate Chamber with Sen. Randy McNally and Rep. John Ragan. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board and Youth Leadership Oak Ridge groups combined forces and took an educational trip to Nashville on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

While in Nashville, students attended a state committee meeting and participated in a mock Senate session led by Sen. Randy McNally and Rep. John Ragan, a press release said. The group also toured the State Capitol Building, the Tennessee State Museum, and LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.

For more information about the Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board, contact Matt Reedy with the Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3442. For more information about the Youth Leadership Oak Ridge group, contact Greta Ownby at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at (865) 483-1321.

Guitar lessons at Senior Center on Fridays, meeting today to gauge interest in banjo lessons

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Guitar Lessons at Oak Ridge Senior Center

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will be offering free guitar lessons for senior citizens age 50 and older on Fridays beginning Jan. 10.

Beginners will start at 9 a.m., and more advanced students will follow. The only requirement is to bring your own guitar.

Seniors of all skill levels are encouraged to come out and join in the fun.

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will also be holding a meeting to find out about community interest in banjo lessons. The lessons will be provided free of charge to seniors age 50 and over. All that is needed is a banjo and a willingness to learn. [Read more…]

City will recycle Christmas trees on Jan. 4, 11

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The city of Oak Ridge will recycle Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, and Saturday, Jan. 11.

The drop-off site is the parking lot at Big Turtle Park off Monterey Road.

Trees will be accepted any time up to Jan. 13, but if you come at the designated times, your Christmas tree may be exchanged for a sugar maple seedling. Wreaths and garland will be accepted, but brush will not. Please be sure to remove all tinsel and other decorations, a press release said.

For more information, contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov.

Organizational meeting for winter volleyball leagues on Wednesday

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have an organizational meeting on Wednesday for co-ed teams interested in playing in the winter volleyball leagues. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Club Room at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

League play is scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 6. For more information, contact Paula Zarestky at (865) 425-3440 or refer to the Recreation and Parks Department’s Web page at www.orrecparks.org.

Civic Center announces pool closure days, times for swim meets

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The Oak Ridge Civic Center indoor pool will be closed on Nov. 14 and 21, Dec. 5 and 12, and Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. for Oak Ridge High School swim meets.

The Civic Center indoor pool will also be closed on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the Special Olympics swim meet and on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. for an Atomic City Aquatic Club swim meet.

For more information on these closures or any Recreation and Parks Department programs, contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit www.orrecparks.org.

Annual Christmas tree lighting in Bissell Park scheduled for Dec. 6

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Oak Ridge Christmas Tree Lighting

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have the annual Christmas tree lighting at A.K. Bissell Park on Friday, Dec. 6.

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Participants should gather at the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for a brief ceremony, a press release said. Following the tree lighting, a reception will be held in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium. Participants will enjoy seasonal music and refreshments provided by the Oak Ridge Woman’s Club Civic Affairs Committee.

For more information, visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department website at www.orrecparks.org.

Oak Ridge has Children’s Halloween Party on Oct. 24

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Halloween Flyer

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2013 Children’s Halloween Party on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Activities will be planned for every room in the Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in A.K. Bissell Park, weather permitting.

There will a scary room, games, prizes, food, crafts, face painting, and many other fun activities. Tickets must be purchased for each activity, and each ticket costs $0.25 each. All access armbands are available and cost $5 each. Armbands give unlimited access to all activities; however, this does not include sale items or food.

For more information call the Oak Ridge Civic Center at (865)425-3450. For more information about this and other events, visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website at www.orrecparks.org.