We are seeking a permanent director for the Parks and Recreation Department. The partnership with the YMCA has led to a restructuring of the department, with a focus on parks and trails instead of youth sports and aquatics.

The director is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the County’s parks and recreation budget, programs, facilities, and staff. The successful candidate will have experience with writing and administering grants and designing or working with trails.

To learn more about the job openings, visit Polk County Job Openings. The director position will be open until it is filled.

Beginning Tuesday, July 6, the YMCA and PCPR will be offering REFIT classes here at Stearns Gym.

Class times: Tuesdays 5-6 & Thursdays 12:30-1:30

Cost: $5 for individual classes (up to 4/month) or $30/month of 8 classes

Email us to sign up.

Thanks to the Kiwanis Club and our hardworking maintenance staff, the Gaga Ball pit is up and running! What is Gaga Ball? Check it out here!

We will supply a ball, so please leave it in the pit when you are done. Game rules are posted on the side of the pit.

The baseball and softball camps are at the Rec Complex and the basketball camp is at Polk Central Elementary. When you are ready to register, head to the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg website to sign up! The Soccer camp to be held this week has been postponed until August 2.

Registration will be opening NEXT WEEK for Fall soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball (BOTH NEW FOR THE FALL). You will be able to register through the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg website.

Camp is being held this year at Tryon Elementary, and the hours are 9-4:30 with free before and after care from 7 am-6 pm! The camp is currently full, but to be added to the waitlist, email the Camp Director, Amy.

Gibson Park Pool is open for Lap Swim 8-10 am Monday-Saturday and Open Swim from 12-5 Monday-Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. For FAQ's visit the pool's website.

For weather closings, check out the Rec Department's Facebook Page.

Reserve your spot for a SWIM LESSON NOW! VISIT the YMCA website for more information or to register.

Our trail at the Recreation Complex is still temporarily closed as we finish an obstacle course! Please respect the closure to minimize impact to the trail at this time. We estimate another two weeks until opening but if you would like to help, please email Molly!

If you would like to help us with trail work, please contact trails@polknc.org and Molly will let you know when workdays are scheduled. If you feel safer working on your own, feel free to walk a trail, picking up trash and moving small branches from the trails. Please don't cut any branches; if a trail needs more attention, email trails@polknc.org and we will take care of it or bring it to that trail manager's attention.

Every month, community stakeholders meet to share updates about area trails. The meetings are open to the public and are online. Send Molly your questions and updates ahead of time if you can't make it!

Trail Committee meeting

Time: July 26, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Time

Meeting ID: 457 308 8514

Passcode: recrocks

Most trails, if they are open, may not have public facilities that are open, so check ahead of time. If you are sick, PLEASE stay home. If a trail is crowded, please travel to a different spot so you can practice social distancing. Other trail courtesies also still apply: keep dogs on-leash, take your trash with you, etc. Thanks for doing your part!

The AmeriCorps Trails Coordinator works for Polk County Parks & Recreation. The position came into being through a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation. The Trails Coordinator manages trail work days, various partnerships and other trail-related initiatives in the county.

E-Mail contact information for us: trails@polknc.org