PRCA News

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department has some great events to get kids ready to join Youth Coed Basketball! During the first week of December, the Eastside High School Basketball team will be providing a skills clinic and Free Throw Contest will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose (MLK) Center.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department hosts its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at the Historic Thomas Center. Gainesville Mayor Ed Braddy will be on hand to welcome citizens and call for the giant tree to be lit.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, in cooperation with Shakerag Culture Center, Inc., is pleased to announce the next Jewel Box Concert at the Thomas Center Sunday, Nov. 23. The concert features the world-renowned pianist, composer and arranger Jesus “Chuchito” Valdés. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door.

Santa knows good character is the best gift and he wants to hear about what that means to our community’s children! The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is collecting letters through Operation Letters to Santa this year for all children in kindergarten through third grade (or any child that still “believes”). This is a free program and is open to all Gainesville residents. Letters must be postmarked or received by Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. The PRCA “elves” will help Santa read and respond to each letter.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the Friends of Nature Parks present the Annual Cane Boil & FiddleFest at Morningside Nature Center Saturday, Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children ages 3-12 and children under three are admitted free.

The 2nd Annual Survivors of Suicide Candlelight Vigil will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Survivors of Suicide Memory Garden in Cofrin Nature Park, located at 4810 NW Eighth Ave. Activities will start at 4 p.m., with a ceremony beginning at 5:15 p.m.

The University of Florida Women’s Water Polo Club hosting their tournament at Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool on Nov. 8–9, 2014  The pool will be closed for public swimming during the tournament. However, the public is welcome to spectate. We apologize for any inconveniece to patrons.

UPDATE: The contractor for the repair of the Loblolly Woods boardwalk has been hired and construction has begun. The repairs are expected to be completed by Spring, 2015. We thank our patrons for their patience.