Waco's Source for Parks, Recreation,
Programs, Community Events and More!
Welcome to the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department's monthly
Good Times Guide. We provide Central Texas with the chance to explore
the great outdoors, enjoy an active life and join with neighbors.
To register for programs, or rent a park facility, give us a call at  (254) 750-5980
PARK HAPPENINGS

  • Staff is gearing up for the Hands on Waco Day, which is set for October 14. Presented by United Way Waco, this event gives volunteers the chance to serve and help with projects in our local parks. A kick-off is set for 8 a.m. Saturday at City Hall.
  • Our friends from Creative Waco recently joined with City Staff to present a proposal to City Council for a new collection of public art entitled "Spirit Animals" along the riverwalk. The planned art, which is set to be installed in Fall of 2018, will commemorate the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Cameron Park Zoo.
  • Staff is working on design and improvements to Waco's Greenwood Cemetery. CLICK HERE to read more about the plans.
  • Work is progressing on the new East Riverwalk Trail in downtown Waco. The concrete, lighted trail, which connects the Suspension Bridge to McLane Stadium, is expected to wrap up this fall. CLICK HERE to read more on the project.
  • On October 3, nine parks throughout Waco played host to the annual National Night Out events that help bring awareness to our community about local law enforcement.
  • The QR Fit Trail System, which was installed in the summer, continues to receive attention from local news outlets and gain popularity with local residents. To date, more than 1,200 people have utilized the system and viewed the fitness videos on smartphones. CLICK HERE to read a recent update from the Waco Tribune-Herald.
RECREATION AND SPORTS
  • Registration is underway for the fall in the following sports: Youth Futsal and Youth Basketball! CLICK HERE for registration information.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
  • Event season has arrived and this weekend thousands of tourists and local residents are expected for events like Magnolia's Silobration, MS Walk, MDA Chillin' and Grillin', the Light up the Night 5k and the Head of the Brazos Regatta.
  • Each October, the City of Waco recognizes its workers with an Employee Appreciation Day, which is organized by our department. This year, staff will be treated to a lunch at the Cameron Park Zoo on October 13.
  • Upcoming community events include Baylor Homecoming Parade, Waco Mammoth Fall Fossil Festival, the White Buffalo Market, Cameron Park Bicycle Blowout, Cameron Park Zoo Stampede and the Veterans Day Parade.
  • For a complete schedule of events around the city, visit https://wacoheartoftexas.com/events/
COMMUNITY CENTERS and CAMPS
  • South Waco Community Center will host its annual Fall Festival from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 25. This event is free to public and is one of Waco's most popular Halloween events!
  • On October 26, Dewey will be hosting its annual Halloween Festival. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free for all ages. It will feature games, candy, costumes and more.
  • Dewey Community Center has started a new Senior Program that is taking place on Monday and Wednesday mornings (10 a.m. to noon) this fall!
  • Dewey has also teamed up with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to host a hunting certification program and a Youth Hunt program. The program is set for Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.
  • Our community centers (Bledsoe-Miller, Dewey and South Waco) are accepting registration for Thanksgiving Camps. For information call: Bledsoe (750-8684), Dewey (750-8677) and South Waco (750-8650).
WACO MAMMOTH NATIONAL MONUMENT
  • Waco Mammoth is celebrating National Earth Science Week October 8-14. Each day will feature a new program and activity at the site.
  • On October 21, the annual Fall Fossil Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event features a variety of nature-related activities and booths, along with a train, petting zoo, craft projects and more!
COTTONWOOD CREEK GOLF COURSE
  • With cooler temperatures, Cottonwood Creek has remained busy with league play, casual play and tournaments.
  • Cottonwood's Senior League, which is one of the largest programs in the state, is currently meeting on weekday mornings. Also, fall Twilight Rates have now gone into effect.
PARK RANGERS
  • Baylor is offering a new class for students that will utilize Cameron Park for the Fall 2017 Semester. Baylor instructor Jennifer Martinsen is teaching a Life Fitness Aerobic Walking Class that incorporates the Cameron Park Trails into the curriculum. Park Rangers met with students both inside and outside of the classroom to introduce them to the Cameron Park trail system and best safety practices. The pilot class filled to capacity and Baylor plans to add additional classes for its Winter Semester classes.
  • Park Rangers are facilitating a new after school pilot program with Indian Spring Middle School Service Learning students. The students will meet with rangers once a week for 8 weeks to participate in activities designed to teach them an appreciation of the outdoors and to be good land stewards in their local community. Main topics covered are Leave No Trace Principles, Native Plant ID, Native Snake ID at Cameron Park Zoo, Native Birds of Prey at Cameron Park Zoo, Water Quality Testing, Cliffs: Erosion/Geology, Fossils, and Natural Water Sources. 
  • Rangers participated in the National Night Out Event at the Dewey Community Center.
  • We welcome our newest full time Ranger Arianna Jacinto. Arianna received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Baylor University and she is a Master Educator for Leave No Trace Principles and Ethics. 
  • Rangers will participate at the Fall Fossil Festival at the Waco Mammoth National Monument, and at the Carver Park Baptist Fall Festival later this month.
  City of Waco Parks and Recreation | 254-750-5980 | E-mail | Website