Opportunities for fun and frolic abound in the parks in Corsicana during the summer months when school is out. Also, Sharla Allen, director of the Corsicana Parks and Recreation Department, budgets money every year to offer free summer programs to adults and children alike.

“All the parks and lakes are open daily for use by the public,” Allen said. “We have our newly constructed pavilion at Lake Halbert, and offer free tent camping, with bathrooms, covered tables, etc.”

Community Park boasts the ever-popular skate pad ramps and BMX bike track. In addition to that, the Water Spray Park has an extra 1,000 square feet these days, a new mermaid entrance, and recently cut the ribbon on Phase II of the Spray Park.

“We have a gazebo nearby, so people can bring their kids to play and it doesn’t cost a thing,” Allen said. “We also have an umbrella waterfall, eight various in-ground water sprays, and a new little whale.”

The IOOF Park offers great fishing, soccer fields and play equipment, as well as the walking track. A new one-half mile walking/biking track has been added at Bunert Park, as well.

“We’ll have Splash Jam at Jester Park on May 30,” she said. “It is the official pool opening, and there will be music by Slicky-D.”

In addition to the 12 Corsicana parks, the Parks and Recreation department has been hard at work to schedule fun and exciting free programs for the summer. “Play in the Palace” will take place at the Palace Theatre June 5-9, from 9 a.m. to noon. It is open to 25 youngsters ages 7 to 12, and instructors will be provided by the Warehouse Living Arts Theatre.

A Fishing Camp at IOOF Park will accommodate 15 kids per group, from 8 to 10 a.m. for ages 6 to 9 years, and 10 a.m. to noon for kids ages 10 to 14. This camp will be offered June 5-9 also, and Sam McCollum will be the instructor. Soccer camp is scheduled for June 19-23 at the YMCA, with John Lawhon as the coach. Kids ages 6 to 9 will meet from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and 10 to 11:30 a.m. is reserved for soccer enthusiasts ages 10 to 14.

An Art Camp on June 21 will feature renowned artist Julio Suarez instructing students at the Palace Theatre in cartoon drawing. Children ages 5 to 8 years old are invited to attend the 8:30 to 10 a.m. session, followed by kids ages 9 to 14 in the 10:30 a.m. to noon session. Suarez will be back June 28 at Bunert Park to offer more art lessons for the same age groupings at the same time. Each session has openings for 15 children.

A Music Camp at Temple Beth-El will be held June 26-30, from 10 a.m. to noon each day. Children in grades third through sixth are invited to attend, and the camp is free of charge and open to 45 to 50 participants. Jim Dorr and Lora Duncan, choral instructors at Corsicana High School, will be conducting this camp.

New to the parks program this year is Fiesta Camp, which will also be held at Temple Beth-El. Amy McElhenney will instruct 15 kids ages 7 to 12 in learning Spanish, arts and crafts, dancing and music of Hispanic heritage. This camp will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon July 10 through 12.

“Our Pioneer Days History Camp at Pioneer Village is going to be a day camp with a chuck wagon, wagon master, longhorn steer, a blacksmith, and folks dressed in character telling tales,” Allen said. “It is going to be fun, and Bobbie Young, curator of Pioneer Village, is going all out.”

The dates of the Pioneer Days Camp are July 17 to 19, and times will be announced. It is open to kids ages 9 to 13.

The Senior Activity Center will be the place to be for classes for adults this summer. A bridge class will be taught by Joan Timmons, Aubrey Green and Leon Fletcher, and is limited to 20 adults. The class will meet June 19, June 21 and June 23 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

A ceramics class for eight adults is planned for June 12, June 14 and June 16 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The instructor will be Betty Coffey, and space is limited.

An opportunity to see Asleep at the Wheel at the Palace Theatre — for free — will take place at 7:30 p.m. June 8. The theatre will fill up fast, so get there early. This is the Parks and Recreation Department’s free summer concert, so don’t miss out.

“We certainly hope these programs and our parks will bring quality of life for our community for the summer, as we’ve added new features to our system,” Allen said. “Contact our office at (903) 654-4874 to sign up.”



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Deanna Plemons may be reached via e-mail at deannap@corsicanadailysun.com.