PRCA News

Albert “Ray” Massey (Westside) Park (1001 NW 34th St.) is going to the dogs for a whole weekend of family fun! This year, the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) has partnered with Newberry Animal Hospital, other vendors and the Climb for Cancer Foundation to bring two dog-centered events together for Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21.

- The City of Gainesville Wild Spaces & Public Places and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Departments (PRCA) are hosting a pool party to celebrate H. Spurgeon Cherry “Westside” Pool’s 50th birthday and the completion of installation of geothermal heating and cooling pumps, which allows the pool to remain open year round.

On Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m., thousands of children and adults are invited to unite at aquatics facilities around the world to set a new global record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL). The City of Gainesville is proud to be one of the nation’s top water safety and training organizations that joins forces with worldwide participants in order to foster education on the vital importance of swimming lessons that aid drowning prevention. The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is joining Team WLSL to once again break a world record and send the message that swimming lessons save lives

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is excited to announce the 2018 Gainesville Dash & Splash Race Series race schedule. If you want to test your athletic ability or reach a new goal, then lace up for this exciting series of races!

A splash in the pool during the warm summer months is a welcome relief for many Gainesville residents. All three municipal pools have been experiencing high attendance and aquatics staff of the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) would like to offer a few helpful tips to make pool time a safe and fun experience for all.

Join the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department to make the Drool & Ghoul Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest and Pool Party totally paw-some! This annual event takes place Saturday, Oct. 25, from 12-2 p.m. and is open to well-behaved dogs at the H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool, which is located at 1001 NW 31st Dr. The pool and splash pad will be open to dogs, and there will be a costume contest, photos with pet(s) and great local pet-business vendors and free dog baths! Admission to the event is $5 or a seven-pound or more bag of dog food. Proof of immunizations is required.

H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool was closed at 2:00 pm today, July 2, 2014, for due to fecal contamination and will remain closed while the water is treated by super-chlorination to remove any bacteria. We plan to re-open the pool tomorrow at 6:00 am for regular hours. Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) and Andrew R. Mickle Sr. Pool will remain open for their regular hours today. We apologize for any inconvenience to our patrons. 

The Sunshine State Games Swimming Championships will be held June 6-8, 2014 at Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool on June 6–8, 2014.

On Friday, June 20 at 11 a.m., thousands of children and adults will unite at aquatics facilities around the globe to set a new global record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL). The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is joining Team WLSL to once again break a world record and send the message that swimming lessons save lives. The global record attempt will take place at three Gainesville locations: Andrew R. Mickle Pool, Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool and H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department is gearing up for another great summer of aquatics! On Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, all municipal pools will be open and there are activities all season long for all ages and skill levels: biathlons to group and private swim lessons, water aerobics to cross-training, and even certifications for lifeguarding and first aid.