PARK HAPPENINGS

• Staff recently coordinated with the Health District to utilize grant funds for fitness signage in 11 parks.  Each sign has QR Code links to instructional videos and will also aggregate usage data.  Signs are in the following parks: Alta Vista, Bells Hill, Bledsoe-Miller Park, Brazos Park East, Brooklyn Park, Council Acres Park, East Waco Park, Gurley Park, Kendrick Park, Oakwood Park and Oscar DuConge Park.
• An article featuring plans for the new steel bridge along the River Trail in Cameron Park hit the national press thanks to the Waco Tribune- Herald, U.S. News and World Report and the Associated Press. CLICK HERE to read the article. 
• Our area splash pads are now open for the summer. The splash pads are a great way to cool off in the heat. They are located at Cameron Park, Mountainview Park, Chapel Park, Kendrick Park, Oscar DuConge Park and Dewey Park.
• Also open for the summer is our partner Hawaiian Falls. This water park is a regional attraction that features multiple water slides, pools and kids areas. For more info, visit www.hawaiianfalls.com. 
• Know someone interested in working for the City of Waco? Our parks department currently has multiple openings. Visit www.waco-texas.com for more info. 
  

• Our Brazos Nights concert series continues on Friday, June 9 with Texas rock bands Tripping Daisy and Quaker City Night Hawks. Along with live music, Brazos Nights features food trucks and family fun next to the Suspension Bridge. For more info, visit www.brazosnightswaco.com  
• The Brazos Nights Cinco de Mayo Fiesta held on Friday, May 5 drew an estimated crowed of 7,500 local residents to Indian Spring Park!
  
• Our annual Pints in the Park event took place on Saturday, May 20. This riverfront festival attracted more than 600 people and included samples from Texas barbecue joints and local breweries - along with live music and backyard games.
• This past weekend, Indian Spring Park was home to the 19th annual Bowen Music Fest. This charity concert featured an all-star lineup of country artists and drew more than 5,000 fans to downtown Waco.   
  
• Here are few upcoming community events:
  
• June 9: Brazos Nights at Indian Spring Park
• June 17: Juneteenth Parade on Elm Avenue
• June 25: Sharkfest Swim in the Brazos River
• July 4: Fourth on the Brazos at Touchdown Alley at McLane Stadium
• For a complete schedule of events, visit https://wacoheartoftexas.com/events/

• Our community centers (Bledsoe-Miller, Dewey and South Waco) are currently hosting Summer Camp. The camps are open to ages 5-13 and kids participate in daily activities and field trips like kayaking, disc golf, tennis and swimming. The cost is $260 per session with a $75 registration fee. Session 3 is $195. Teens ages 14-17 can also sign up to be Counselors in Training! For information call: Bledsoe (750-8684), Dewey (750-8677) and South Waco (750-8650).
  
• The popular Camp Cameron is underway. This summer adventure camp takes place at the Cameron Park Clubhouse and is open to kids ages 5 to 13.  Kids participate in daily activities and field trips like kayaking, disc golf, tennis and swimming. Cost is $170 per two week session with a $75 registration fee. For information call 750-8018.
• Dewey Community Center is hosting the following summer programs: Summer Zumba, Strong Zumba, GED/ESL Classes, and Community Youth Development Program. To sign up, call the center at 750-8677.

• The Grand Opening of the new Eagle Trail is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8. Join us for our official ribbon cutting and first official hike. The trail was constructed by a local Eagle Scout!
• A WACO Junior Ranger Day is set for June 10 and kids can take part in special programs, gather for story time and learn about the National Park Service.
  
  

• Cottonwood will be the host course for the annual Starburst Junior Golf Tournament on June 12-14. The tournament will feature approximately 500 youth golfers.
• Registration is underway for Cottonwood's junior golf programs, which take place during the summer.

• Park Rangers are working with our summer campers by going hiking, kayaking, and introducing them to Park Ranger horse program.
  
• Park Rangers have a summer intern who will be introducing a new program called WILD WEDNESDAYS. The hikes are open to the public and rangers will provide information on the history of the park, the local environment, the park's flora and fauna and the trail system! The hike will begin at 5:30 each Wednesday at Redwood Shelter.
• Rangers attended several Health and Career Fairs at local schools this month and also met with Baylor's Line Camp Leaders and Orientation students.
• The city's cable channel filmed a segment on our Park Ranger horse "Chico," who recently retired. CLICK HERE to view the video. A new Park Ranger Patrol Horse “Patch” has started his training.
• We welcome Ed Echols as our new Park Ranger Lead. Ed has been with the Department for over 25 years and offers a wealth of experience.
• New part-time ranger Denise Andreotti-Phillips is our newest addition to our Park Ranger crew. She will be helping out with programs this summer.
• Trail re-routes of “Power Line” and “Twin Bridges” have allowed trail traffic an alternate route to avoid Mouth of the Bosque Road. Waco Bicycle Club has been a great volunteer group to the park and we appreciate their continued effort to make Cameron Park one of the best trail destinations in Texas.