Department focuses on growth for 2013

Monday, 18 February 2013 by Justin Cox

Belton's Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled a variety of events for the community, and plans on spending the year growing and finding out the needs and wants of the citizens.

"We're doing a lot of exploration this year in finding out what (the community) wants, having as many events as we can, as many services as we can," said recreation coordinator Matt Bates. "We're just trying to give as many services as we can to Belton."

So far this year they've schedule two Family, Fishin' & Fun events – the first of which is on Fri., Feb. 15, from 12-2 p.m.

Shortly thereafter, the department is co-sponsoring the Trails of Hope 5K on Sat., Feb. 23.

The Heritage Park Disc Golf Challenge, a nine-hole disc golf tournament, will be held March 2, and the Bridal Showcase will be held March 8-10.

April's agenda includes One Community, One Day on April 6, where a group of volunteers will help members of the community with basic yard needs for those who can't do it or need help taking care of it.

And one of the most successful events, Movie in the Park, will begin April 19 at Harris Community Park.

"We've had upwards of 250-300 people (at Movie in the Park), especially when the splash pads are going," Bates said.

Movie in the Park events are completely free to the community. They're welcome to bring blankets and their own snacks to enjoy the film.

Although they have weekly classes for Yoga and Zumba scheduled at the Harris Community Center, Bates said that their focus this year is event-styled functions to promote growth and learn what the community wants.

"Our goal this year is to make event-style, one day, one time, come out, do it events," Bates said. "That way we can grow one day, one time, get your information and let you know of upcoming events."

Looking further into the year, the department is planning a three on three basketball tournament for Memorial Day, and tossing around the idea of a summer festival in August. Another goal of the department is to expand their outdoor recreation activities.

"There's a lot of growth that we're looking to try and spread out," Bates said. "We have ideas of what we want to do. There's talk of Summer Fest for sometime in August. We're also looking at softball leagues this year. The problem that we've had is a general interest in getting people out. It's just been a slow process."

Basketball, volleyball, soccer, horseshoes, washers, and ultimate Frisbee were all mentioned as being on the radar for the Parks and Recreation Department, but their focus this year will be drawing the community in for their one and two day events so that they can learn how to best serve Belton.

To learn more about the Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.beltontexas.gov and select Parks and Recreation from the Departments menu, follow them on Facebook or Twitter, or simply call (254)933-5864.

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