Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge basketball organizational meetings this month

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have two organizational meetings this month for teams interested in playing basketball.

There is an Oct. 14 meeting for teams interested in playing in the Men’s Recreational Leagues. The meeting will be in the Club Room at the Civic Center at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. League play is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 2.

There will be an Oct. 29 meeting for teams interested in playing in the Youth Basketball Leagues. That meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Club Room at the Civic Center. All interested teams are invited to attend. [Read more…]

City has lifeguarding course in October

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is conducting the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course in October. Classes will be held during Oak Ridge schools fall break Oct. 14-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Successful completion of this course qualifies students who are 16 and up to apply for a lifeguard position with the City of Oak Ridge. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. Successful completion of the class will provide the student with Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, and First Aid Certification. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge accepting race applications for 2014

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is now accepting race applications for 2014. Organizations that wish to host 5Ks, triathlons, marathons, walks, or fun runs next year are strongly encouraged to contact the department to inquire about available dates and courses.

The popularity and frequency of races is increasing. For this reason, the City of Oak Ridge has developed guidelines to permit safe racing on the city’s streets and highways. [Read more…]

Water, aqua exercise classes start Monday

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Two water exercise classes start Monday, Sept. 9, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

Here is more information on the two classes: [Read more…]

Dog park under construction at Big Turtle Park

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Oak Ridge Dog Park Construction

Construction continues at the dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department)

Construction continues at Petsafe Dog Park located at Big Turtle Park on the west end of Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has posted pictures of the work. They show sign structures, sidewalks, and site improvements that are currently under way.

The dog park construction is being funded by a $100,000 donation from Radio Systems Corp. in Knoxville. [Read more…]

Children’s Halloween Party scheduled, game booth sponsors needed

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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. This annual event will be attended by hundreds of children and their parents. Activities will be planned for every room in the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in A.K. Bissell Park, weather permitting.

Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor a game booth for the event. Sponsors will supply two to four volunteers to operate the game throughout the event. The Recreation and Parks department will provide the games and prizes unless sponsors wish to provide their own. Games should be age-appropriate for children age 10 and under. Applications can be emailed or picked up at the Civic Center front desk. [Read more…]

Memory Magic Scrapbook event Sept. 27 and 28

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is sponsoring a Memory Magic Scrapbook event, Scrapping on the WILD Side, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Sept. 27 and 28. The event will include vendors, classes, and a large crop area.

Online registration started Aug. 19 and will continue until Sept. 22. Walk-in registration will open on Sept. 27 at 8 a.m. There is limited seating in the crop area and in each class. For a listing of classes check the website listed below. [Read more…]

Fall swimming lessons start Aug. 20

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will start fall swimming lessons Aug. 20 and 22. Classes include preschool aquatics and parent-child classes. Additional levels of 1-4 and adult classes are offered.

There are eight classes, each 30 minutes long. The fee is $65 with a $10 non-resident fee for children who reside outside Oak Ridge. Registration is at the Civic Center Front Desk with payment due at the time of registration. Cash and checks are accepted. Enrollment is limited. [Read more…]

Fall volleyball organizational meeting on Aug. 20

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have an Aug. 20 organizational meeting for teams interested in playing in the Fall Co-ed Volleyball leagues. The meeting will be held in the Club Room at the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20. League play is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 23.

For more information, contact Paula Zarestky at (865) 425-3440 or visit the Recreation and Parks Department’s Web page at www.orrecparks.org.

Registration open for Exercise for Fitness classes

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is sponsoring Exercise for Fitness, an adult exercise program taught by Charlotte Hensley. The class meets at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9–10:30 a.m.

“This well-balanced program offers exercise routines that include stretching, toning, Pilates, and aerobics,” a press release said. “The instructor incorporates the use of a variety of equipment including fitness balls, hand weights, steps, and hoops to provide a comprehensive workout for each participant.” [Read more…]

Organizers could consider separate weekends for Secret City, Lavender festivals

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Crowd at Secret City Festival

Thousands of people enjoy the Secret City Festival each year, including the Friday and Saturday night concerts.

Most years, the Secret City and Lavender festivals fall on the same weekend in June.

This year, due to the way they’re scheduled, the two festivals landed on separate weekends. And that gave organizers an opportunity to see how the festivals would do on separate weekends.

[Read more…]

Parks director explains change from WWII re-enactments to ‘living history’ at Secret City Festival

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World War II Re-enactment at Secret City Festival

The Secret City Festival has previously included one of the largest World War II re-enactments in the South, pictured above, but organizers changed this year to a “Salute to Soldiers” program. (Archive photo)

It had been one of the largest World War II re-enactments in the South, featuring close to 200 people in a dozen 1940s-era vehicles at the annual Secret City Festival.

An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 spectators watched the two mock battles at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge each year as British and American forces fought and defeated German military personnel.

But this year, the two-day festival did not include the re-enactments. They were replaced by a new “Salute to Soldiers” program that featured World War II living history activities and demonstrations. That program included period military camps, vehicles, equipment, and demonstrations, as well as educational displays. [Read more…]