LeisureLink
Harris Center
425 Perry St
LeisureLink: The City of Auburn's Parks and Recreation Weekly Newsletter
January 6-12, 2025
Try Out Auburn’s Fitness Centers During Fit Week
Kickstart your New Year’s fitness goals with Auburn Parks and Recreation’s Fit Week! From Sunday, January 5, through Saturday, January 11, Auburn residents are invited to experience the Frank Brown Fitness Center and the Boykin Fitness Center completely free of charge. Simply sign up on MyRec and present the barcode from your receipt upon arrival. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the facilities, try out the equipment, and discover what our fitness centers have to offer. To ensure a smooth visit, we recommend calling ahead to check on crowd levels. Don’t miss this chance to get moving and make 2025 your healthiest year yet!
Spring Youth Sports Registration Opens January 7
Get ready for an exciting season of spring youth sports! Registration for baseball, t-ball, softball, soccer, and volleyball begins Tuesday, January 7, and is available online at auburnal.myrec.com. Registration ends Tuesday, January 23, except for youth volleyball, which closes on Friday, February 2.
The City of Auburn offers financial assistance through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to cover registration fees for youth (up to age 18) participating in Auburn Parks and Recreation sports programs. CDBG funds can pay up to $50. Families seeking scholarships must complete registration online during the official registration period.
Don’t miss the chance to get your child involved in Auburn’s youth sports! Visit auburnal.myrec.com for details and to secure your spot.
Daddy Daughter Date Night tickets on sale now
The 35th annual Daddy Daughter Date Night is quickly approaching. Daddy Daughter Date Night 2025 will be held at the City of Auburn Lake Wilmore Facility or the Wire Road Soccer Complex.
The DDDN 2025 nights are Friday, February 7th and Saturday, February 8th from 6:30-9pm each night. This year’s theme is “Black and White Ball” in honor of the 35th Annual event. It will feature a black, white, and silver theme that is very classy and formal. Come and dance the night away with your father figure! Enjoy food, music & dancing, have your photo taken, and visit with special guests.
Ticket holders are reminded that tickets are only valid for the night they were purchased. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold or given to another family. All ticket sales for the event are final. Tickets go on sale on MyRec on Monday, December 9th at 8am. Please note with the switch to using MyRec customers must purchase a “father” ticket for each father figure attending, and a separate “daughter” ticket for each daughter attending. Tickets must be purchased for the SAME night for fathers and daughters. Customers will receive scannable codes in their email and must present these on their purchased night to enter the dance. Codes can be presented on your phone in the MyRec account or printed.
Auburn Parks and Recreation celebrates state award recipients
We're thrilled to highlight our amazing team members who were honored with prestigious awards by the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) District V:
Edith Upchurch Lifetime Achievement Award: Houston Manning
Merit in Recreation Award: Sara Hand Custer
Merit in Parks Award: Reggie Dunn
Outstanding New Professional Award: Emillie Dombrowski
Their hard work and dedication continue to make a lasting impact on our community, from creating innovative programs to maintaining our parks and fostering the arts. Congratulations to these outstanding individuals for their achievements!
Polar Plunge Registration now open
13th Annual Auburn Polar Plunge to support the Lee County Special Olympics will be held Saturday, January 18th at the City of Auburn’s Samford Pool beginning at 9 a.m. The goal of the Auburn Polar Plunge is to raise financial support for the brave athletes of the Lee County Special Olympics. You can help with this great cause by registering to take the frigid plunge on at Samford Pool!
In 2024 over $15,000 was raised for Special Olympic Athletes. The goal in 2025 is to surpass last year’s pledges. Once a participant registers, the goal is to get as many people as possible to “sponsor” the plunge. There is a $15 fee to register and these fees will go towards Special Olympics Lee County, too. All participants are encouraged to fundraise and join in for a fun frigid day in support of a very worthy cause! To register online go to: www.auburnalabama.org/parks/register. Create a MyRec account and sign up. Bring your donations the day of the Plunge in check or cash format. Make checks payable to Lee County Special Olympics. Registration opens Monday, December 2nd at 8am. Register by January 6th, 2025 to be guaranteed a t-shirt!
City Market Vendor Applications now available
Are you a local grower or artisan wanting to share your products with those in the community? Apply to be a vendor at Auburn Parks and Recreation's 2025 City Market!
City Market vendor applications are now open. City Market will be held every Saturday from May 24 to Aug. 30 at Town Creek Park from 8-11 a.m. Vendor set-up begins at 7 a.m.
Farmers, growers and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must fill out an online application or apply in-person at the Harris Center located at 425 Perry St.
For more information, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket.
Submissions open for the 2025 Winter Show: PAPERWORKS
Professional, student and amateur artists and craftspersons ages 18 and older are invited to submit pieces to be featured in the 2025 Winter Show at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, PAPERWORKS. Those interested are encouraged to submit two original new or recent works with paper as the creative medium.
Works can be on paper and/or made of any type of paper. Subject matter, art mediums and techniques are open.
Two-Dimensional Works – drawings, prints, collages, paintings, etc. All 2-D works on paper must be matted (or mounted) and framed. Frames should have plexiglass (no glass) and be correctly wired for hanging. They may also be presented in wired frames without any plexiglass. All 2-D wall pieces and unframed works must have appropriate hanging means.
Three-Dimensional Works – sculpture, constructions, paper mache, origami, embossing, etc. Free-standing 3-D works should be stable. Size/weight are optional, but they may require assistance by the artist. All 3-D wall pieces must have adequate hanging means.
Labels attached to work should include the artist's name, address, phone number, email, title and price, if for sale.
There is no entry fee. Works may be listed for sale. Not all entries will be accepted for inclusion in the exhibition. A public reception will be held during the exhibition.
All entries are due by Monday, Jan 6. Entries can be hand-delivered to the Art Gallery at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center from 9 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 334-501-2963 or email auburnarts@bellsouth.net.
Auburn Parks and Recreation seeking talented instructors
Auburn Parks and Recreation is looking for qualified contract instructors to teach classes and programs in the community. The department is seeking passionate individuals with expertise in fitness, arts, sports and recreation to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with Auburn residents.
Auburn Parks and Recreation offers a diverse range of programs and activities for people of all ages and abilities. The department is looking for instructors to lead classes in areas such as:
Fitness: Aquatics, Low Impact, Teen Fitness and Preschool Fitness
Wellness: Nutrition Education, Stress Management, Support Group Leaders and Mindfulness Workshops
Senior Programs: Mahjong, Bunco, Fitness, Music, etc.
Special Needs Programs: Art, Writing, Finance, Dance, etc.
Special Interests: Homeschool Leaders, CPR/First Aid, ACT Prep, etc.
Athletics: Youth League Coaches, Tennis Instructors, Special Olympics Coaches
Qualified candidates should possess strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as a proven ability to create engaging and effective learning environments. Experience in teaching group classes is preferred but not required. References, and in some cases certifications, will be required.
Interested individuals may email Community and Special Programs Administrator Gabby Filgo at gfilgo@auburnalabama.org.
Auburn Parks and Recreation accepting reservation request online
Auburn Parks and Recreation is now accepting facility and park reservation requests online. Those who wish to reserve a facility, athletic facility, or park pavilion can complete their application for request using their online account at auburnal.myrec.com.
Please make all requests at least two weeks prior to the desired reservation date in order to leave time for the approval process. Requests must be reviewed and approved by the facility director and department director. Once approved, payments can be made online using a credit card or by cash or check in-person at the Harris Center.
Frank Brown Recreation Center Membership Card Required to play racquetball and free basketball
Auburn Parks and Recreation now requires membership cards for free play basketball and racquetball.
Free play basketball and racquetball at Frank Brown Recreation Center are open free of charge to citizens who live, work or attend school within the city limits of Auburn, AL and to non-citizens for a one-time $30.00 fee. A membership must be acquired for free play basketball and racquetball regardless of age. Replacement cards will cost $30.00 regardless of residency. The membership card is non-transferable and can only be used by the card holder. You must be at least 13 years of age to participate in free play basketball and 15 years of age to participate in racquetball. Children ages 13-18 must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian at the time of application.
Memberships can be obtained at the Harris Center Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. You can register for a membership at auburnalabama.org/parks/register. To view a membership application, including a list of acceptable proof of residency documents, visit auburnalabama.org/parks.
Frank Brown Recreation Center is open Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and Sun. 1-5 p.m. The Frank Brown Recreation Center is located at 235 Opelika Road. For more information call 334-501-2962.
Yarbrough Tennis Center Updates
Visit YTC News for the latest at the Yarbrough Tennis Center