Taylor’s Parks and Rec department has plenty of fun, fitness on tap
TAYLOR — Last year’s celebrating might be in your rearview mirror, though it may have left a few souvenirs on your rear end.
The new year’s brisk and bright days offer the perfect opportunity to slip on those joggers and step out for some heart-raising fun.
Starting in January, the city is ready to help residents achieve their fitness goals, officials said. Thanks to a St. David’s Foundation grant, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is continuing with individual and team sports opportunities.
Most cost less than $5 a class and some are even free.
Many of the events are held in Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive, but not all.
For complete information, schedules and locations, call 512-309-6266 or visit https://www.ci.taylor.tx.us/27/Parks-Recreation.
FITNESS PARK AT MEMORIAL FIELD IN MURPHY PARK
Memorial Field in Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive, is always open for residents to walk or run to achieve their fitness goals.
With grants from Good Life Taylor and the Williamson County and Cities Health District, the area will be enhanced in the coming year with a new venue to maximize getting or staying in shape without a hefty price tag, officials said.
“Our newest project, Fitness Park at Memorial Field, is an opportunity for Good Life to support meaningful lifestyle changes for people in our community by providing free access to fitness equipment,” said Julie Rydell, Good Life Taylor founder. “The first phase of the project has been initiated, and four pieces have been ordered. The pieces will be installed in one of the corners around the track.”
She added, “Cost is often a barrier to exercise. Not everyone can afford monthly payments to a gym or expensive home equipment. Fitness Park will help all Taylor residents and visitors achieve personal health and fitness goals. We are very excited to see the first pieces installed and watch the park develop.”
Residents will be able to use the equipment for stretching, strength and cardio training in early 2024.
FREE AND LOW-COST ADULT FITNESS CLASSES
Classes are the way to go for adults wishing to pursue individual fitness goals in a group setting. Parks and Rec continues its weekly line-up, just like it did during the fall.
The weekly schedule is varied with options including fast-paced workouts to just-for-fun classes. The week starts with Monday’s free croquet class and Zumba, the latter fusing high- and low-intensity Latin-inspired dance moves.
Residents will find Pilates and yoga classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday features a drum-fit class, where drumsticks are used to increase the range of motion while building muscle, increase blood flow and aid in coordination.
For those with the goal of completing a 5K, Parks and Rec offers two 5K training sessions a week. Individuals combine walking and running intervals in a self-paced class on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There are even classes just for seniors on Fridays. The Senior Fitness Class focuses on range of motion, strength training, balance work, agility and cardio work. It is offered for free, thanks to a WellMed Charitable Foundation grant.
YOUTH SPORTS TEAMS
Youth sports are the bread and butter of parks and rec. The city agency partners with other nonprofit organizations to help facilitate the leagues.
This year, the baseball and softball season starts Saturday, Feb. 24. Kids ages 3 to 14 are welcome to join in the fun as Taylor Parks and Rec joins with the Taylor Area Baseball and Softball nonprofit.
Registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 12, for both baseball and softball. To sign up, head to the Taylor Area Baseball and Softball webpage at https://www. taylorareabaseballsoftball.org. Prices start at $90 per player.
For coed soccer, Taylor Parks and Recreation partners with Lonestar Recreational Soccer, a nonprofit based in Central Texas. Deadline to join spring soccer is Saturday, Feb. 24, and those interested should visit https://lonestar-sc.com/recreational/.
Registration costs begin at $95 an athlete.
SOMEONE SAY PICKLEBALL?
According to the USA Pickleball Association, the national governing body of the sport, pickleball was invented on Washington’s Bainbridge Island by three dads of bored kids in 1965. Though originally intended for kids, just as many adults play the sport now.
According to Ian Davis, programs coordinator for the city’s parks and recreation wing, Taylor plans to expand its pickleball courts in Murphy Park. Three additional courts will be added this year, expanding on the three existing courts.
Parks and rec will continue to promote the sport locally with children. Its monthly Pickleball Pop-Ups are held on the first Tuesday of the month.
The first of 2024 is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. It is free and designed to give youths an introduction to the sport with loaner equipment and instruction.
Taylor Parks and Recreation also partners with the Taylor Area Tennis Association for a Youth Tennis Pop-Up on the second Monday of the month. The first is 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, with lessons the association and the Taylor Independent School District tennis team.
Students need to bring a racket. Both events are free and intended for children ages 6 to 14.
BULL BRANCH PARK PLAYGROUND
New for spring, the little kids of Taylor will have another destination for free fun. According to Davis, construction on the new playground at Bull Branch Park playground, Lynn and Davis streets, is imminent and should be completed by the spring.
The new playscape will feature a treetops theme, including a zipline. Other features will be swings, slides and a climbing element that mimics a vine.
THESPIAN ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
After a successful theater camp during summer 2023, a second camp was held this winter. Davis wants to bring it back for the coming summer.
In previous camps, a Taylor High School theater instructor led the camp for students ages 7 to 14. On the last day of the five-day camp, the troupe preformed at the Taylor Middle School.
Camp dates and cost are yet to be determined.
ART IN THE PARK
Art in the Park programs will return in the new year. Good Life Taylor is partnering with parks and rec and the Public Arts Board to organize activities encouraging creative endeavors.
According to Rydell, funding needs to be secured for the larger activities.
For those who want to contribute to Good Life Taylor’s projects, including the fitness park or funding an art project, contact Rydell at [email protected].
PUNCH-CARD CONVENIENCE
Parks and rec sells recreation punch cards that offer a 20-percent discount. With the card, classes cost $4 each versus the $5 fee without the card.
The cards can be purchased online at https://secure.rec1.com/TX/taylor-tx/catalog. They are also available at the parks and rec office at 1412 Davis St.
MURPHY PARK POOL
According to Davis, the Doris Roznovak Aquatic Center is scheduled for a renovation. Starting after the seasonal closure in September 2024, the construction should be completed before the annual opening in May 2025.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
“Taylor Parks and Recreation always welcomes additional sponsorships,” Davis said.
The city department would like to add additional classes, especially for seniors.
Interested companies or individuals can contact Davis at [email protected] for more information about class or camp sponsorships.
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