Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge has Water Safety Day on Saturday

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have its second annual Water Safety Day on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. The event will be held from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have its second annual Water Safety Day on Saturday, June 22, at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. The event will be held from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday.

Water Safety Day is a partnership between the Recreation and Parks Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, and Oak Ridge Police Department, as well as the Anderson County Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a press release said. Demonstrations will include boating and lifejacket safety, open water rescues, lifeguard skills, and more.

“Please note that the pool’s open swim schedule has been adjusted due to the event and will begin immediately following Water Safety Day activities,” the press release said. Those who participate in the event will be eligible to stay for open swim at no cost.

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Watch ‘Aquaman’ at outdoor pool Saturday night

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road will show the 2018 movie “Aquaman” on Saturday night, June 15, 2019. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool will show the 2018 movie “Aquaman” on Saturday night, June 15.

“Aquaman” (rated PG-13) will be shown poolside on an inflatable screen during the “Flick N Float” movie night, a press release said.

Gates will open at 8:30 p.m. with the movie scheduled to start at approximately 9 p.m., the press release said. Attendees can watch the movie while floating in the water (shallow end only) or sitting in the grassy area.

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Mixed martial arts fitness program begins in June

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has announced a new mixed martial arts fitness program set to begin in June 2019. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has announced a new mixed martial arts fitness program set to begin in June.

In honor of this new program, Martial Arts of Oak Ridge will host two free seminars on Saturday, June 1, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Seminars will be taught by instructors Cody Jordan and Laban Propst with the Lucas Lepri Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school of Knoxville. 

The first-ever Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the Civic Center gymnasium. The second seminar will follow immediately in the gym from 11:45 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. and will cover Women’s Self Defense, also a first for Oak Ridge, a press release said.

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A.K. Bissell Park playground temporarily closed

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby, the City of Oak Ridge said Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby. The playground will remain closed until crews are able to safely remove the tree, a press release said.

Safety fencing has been installed around the playground, and signs have been posted to notify the public of the closure, the press release said.

“All residents and visitors should avoid the area until further notice,” the release said.

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Rec & Parks director to talk to League on Tuesday

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The next Lunch with the League program will be held on Tuesday, April 16.  The speaker will be Jon Hetrick, director of the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

Hetrick will provide an update on the department, which is responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, and coordinating a comprehensive plan of leisure activities for the citizens of Oak Ridge, a press release said. It is also charged with providing safe and well-maintained facilities for its patrons.  The department maintains more than 30 city-owned properties, including athletic fields, horticultural displays, playground areas, tennis courts, community center buildings, and swimming pools.

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Annual egg hunt scheduled for April 13; volunteers needed

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A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2019 Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 13, in A.K. Bissell Park beginning at 11 a.m.

Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said. More than 15,000 candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden inside the park with prize eggs in each age group.

The event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress appropriately. If severe weather prevents hiding eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the Civic Center gymnasium, the press release said.

Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee will be sponsoring additional activities after the egg hunt until approximately 2 p.m., depending upon participation levels, the press release said. East Tennessee Pediatric Dentistry will also bring the “Molar Express” children’s train ride if weather permits. [Read more…]

Christmas tree recycling available in Oak Ridge

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Employees to assist with drop-offs on two Saturdays in January

The City of Oak Ridge has two drop-off locations available for citizens to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays. Signs will be posted in both locations. The drop-offs are:

  • Big Turtle Park, 2525 Oak Ridge Turnpike (parking lot)
  • Solway Park, 205 Edgemoor Road (parking lot adjacent to the boat launch)

Trees will be accepted any time through the end of January 2019. On Saturday, January 12, and Saturday, January 19, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department employees will be on site to assist with unloading trees at the Big Turtle Park drop-off location from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please be sure to remove all tinsel and decorations from Christmas trees before dropping them off for recycling, a press release said. Wreaths and garland will also be accepted, but no brush.

For more information, contact the Recreation and Parks Department by phone at (865) 425-3450 or visit their departmental website at orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov.

Tree lighting ceremony set for Nov. 30

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christmas-tree-bissell-park-2013

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is teaming up with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to co-sponsor the Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. The ceremony is set for Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park. (Submitted file photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is teaming up with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to co-sponsor the Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. The ceremony is set for Friday, November 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park.

Everyone is invited to the outdoor pavilion stage located behind the Oak Ridge Civic Center for holiday music and refreshments, a press release said. New this year, the entire program will take place outside in the park (weather permitting). Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately. In the event of rain, the first part of the program will take place in the Civic Center gymnasium. [Read more…]

Reminder: Children’s Halloween Party is Friday

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Halloween Party 2017 Star Wars Family Costume (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Halloween Party 2017 Star Wars Family Costume (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

A reminder: The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2018 Children’s Halloween Party on Friday, October 26, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. This annual event is now in its 36th year and will be attended by hundreds of local children and their families, a press release said.

Here is more information from a press release published earlier:

Activities will be planned for every room in the Oak Ridge Civic Center and a hay ride will be offered in Bissell Park, weather permitting. There is no admission fee for the event, but participation in most activities requires one or more tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center. The cost is 25 cents per ticket or $5 for a pack of 20. [Read more…]

Children’s Halloween Party set for Oct. 26; game booth sponsors, volunteers needed

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Halloween Party 2017 Star Wars Family Costume (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Halloween Party 2017 Star Wars Family Costume (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2018 Children’s Halloween Party on Friday, October 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This annual event is now in its 36th year and will be attended by hundreds of local children and their families, a press release said.

Activities will be planned for every room in the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in Bissell Park, weather permitting, the press release said. There is no admission fee for the event, but participation in most activities requires one or more tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center. The cost is 25 cents per ticket or $5 for a pack of 20. [Read more…]

Youth Advisory Board planning job fair for teens

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The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board is planning a job fair for teenagers on Wednesday, September 12. It’s scheduled from 1:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the Oak Ridge High School Café.

The event will introduce students to possible job opportunities and provide them with information on resume writing and interviewing skills. The event will also serve as an excellent opportunity for vendors to meet potential employees, a press release said.

Vendors that have already signed up include: Big Ed’s Pizza, Kroger, ASAP, RecruitWise, the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge, and the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department. Additional vendors are expected. [Read more…]

Puppy Pool Party is Sunday, Aug. 19

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A dog enjoys the Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

A dog enjoys the Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host a Puppy Pool Party after the city’s Outdoor Pool closes for the season. The last day for open swim will be Saturday, August 18, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The puppy pool party will take place on Sunday, August 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This is the third year for the puppy pool party, an event which marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool. Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet. Children are not allowed in the pool during the event. [Read more…]