City of San Marcos, Texas

To provide leisure opportunities for all citizens of San Marcos.
To offer these opportunities in parks and facilities that are developed and maintained in an attractive, accessible and safe condition.
To maintain the public facilities and grounds in an attractive, accessible and safe condition.
These services shall be delivered at the highest level achievable with the resources provided.

The Parks and Recreation department offers a variety of programs and facilities to the citizens of the community. Whether you are looking for youth, adult, or senior programs we have something for you. The Parks and Recreation Department also maintains approximately 200 acres of parks in and around the city of San Marcos. We also reserve such facilities such as the Activity Center Meeting Rooms, the Old Fish Hatchery Building, Dunbar Community Center, City Park Recreation Hall, the Calaboose, the Gazebo, and various covered pavilions. Reservations for facilities and registration for programs are taken at the Parks and Recreation office located at 401 E. Hopkins, 512-393-8400.

Habitat Conservation and Management

The San Marcos River, which flows from the Edwards Aquifer through the springs at the headwaters of the river, is one of the most diverse and sensitive ecosystems in the Southwest United States. Growth, development and overpumping of the Aquifer have placed stresses on this beautiful natural resource. The Parks and Recreation Department has added environmental programs to protect and manage the river habitat.

The City of San Marcos is currently developing a Habitat Conservation Plan in cooperation with Southwest Texas State University and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A Habitat Conservation Biologist will help develop a plan to establish environmental goals and policies for the San Marcos River and its watershed. The HPC is being designed to insure the continued existence of endangered species, to restore native habitat and protect water quality, while allowing for controlled growth and recreational activities. The plan will address such issues as habitat restoration, siltation, urban runoff and storm water control, bank stabilization, and public education.

Working closely with the Habitat Conservation Plan is the River Stewardship Project. This project is dedicated to the management and conservation of the San Marcos River. The River Stewardship Project is staffed by a full time Habitat Management Biologist and two part-time environmental biologists. The staff monitors the quality and status of the water, the river habitat, endangered species unique to the river, and provides environmental education.

The Parks and Recreation Department also provides a Park Ranger Patrol. with volunteers from the San Marcos Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Parks and Recreation biology staff. The Park Rangers offer a high visibility patrol to increase safety in the San Marcos parks system and to offer basic information on the local history and ecology of the San Marcos River.

San Marcos Parks & Facilities:

The Parks and Recreation Department is in charge of 22 parks and has 9 meeting room facilities and pavilions available to the public. For more information and availability of these facilities please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (512) 393-8400

Parks:

Parks along the River Corridor:

City Park, Bobcat Drive
Old Fish Hatchery Community Building, 210 C. M. Allen Parkway
Juan Veramendi Plaza Park, C.M. Allen Parkway & Hopkins Street
Bicentennial Park, C.M. Allen Parkway
Children's Park, C.M. Allen Parkway
Rio Vista Park, C.M. Allen Parkway
Rio Vista Dam, Cheatham Street at Rio Vista Park
William & Eleanor Crook Park, Riverside Drive & IH 35
Ramon Lucio Park, IH 35 South & C.M. Allen Parkway
San Marcos Wildlife Habitat II, Cheatham Street

Neighborhood Parks:

Castle Forest Park, Castle Forest Subdivision
Dunbar Park, 801 MLK Drive
Gary Park, 2600 Airport Highway (SH 21)
H.E.B. Park, 801 Patton Street
Hills of Hays Park, 1209 Crystal River Parkway
Lancaster Park, 210 Lancaster Street
Lowmen Field Park, 2301 IH 35 South
Memorial Park, 500-600 Block E. Hopkins
River Ridge Park, 301 River Ridge Parkway
Swift Memorial Park, 200 Monterrey Street
Veterans Memorial Park, 320 Mariposa St.
Victory Gardens Park, 300 Roosevelt St.

Facility Rental Fees:

Activity Center - please call for more information 393-8400
Pavilion A: $50.00 (all day)
Pavilion B: $25.00 (all day)
Pavilion C: $50.00 (all day)
Veramendi Plaza Gazebo: $50.00 deposit, $25.00 (all day)
City Park Recreation Hall: $100.00 deposit, $15.00 /hour ($100.00 max)
Old Fish Hatchery Community Building: $100.00 deposit, $15.00 /hour ($100.00 max)
Calaboose: $100.00 deposit, $15.00 /hour ($100.00 max)
Dunbar Center: $100.00 deposit, $15.00 /hour ($100.00 max)

San Marcos Activity Center

501 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas 78666

512-393-8280

Hours:

Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, click Activity Center.

Regulated Activities: Films, Camping, Selling Goods in Parks

The production of commercial films, movies, pictures or other media productions or broadcasts in City Parks is regulated by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Camping in City Parks is restricted to designated and permitted areas.
The sale of any goods in City Parks is prohibited without permit from the Parks and Recreation Department.
For more information regarding regulated activities please contact the Parks and Recreation Department between 8:00 am and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

TGIF: San Marcos Activity Center
Fridays: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., February 20, March 13, and April 13, 1998
Ages: 3rd - 6th grade
Cost: $3.00 per person

Youth Dances & Open Basketball: San Marcos Activity Center
Fridays: 7 - 11 p.m., February 13, March 27, April 17, 1998
Ages: 12-18
Cost: FREE

Open Gym Youth Basketball: San Marcos Activity Center
Tuesdays: 4:30 - 6 p.m., January 20 - April 30, 1998
Ages: 12-16
Cost: FREE

Fun Fish Day: Rio Vista Pool
Disability Program
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., February 7, 1998
Cost: FREE

Spurs Trip: Spurs vs Utah
Saturday, February 21, 1998, 5:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Cost: $25 per person
Leave from PARD Office

Spring Break Camp: March 16-20, 1998, 7:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Recreation Hall, City Park
Ages: 7 - 13
Cost: to be announced

Easter Egg Carnival: Rio Vista Park
Thursday, April 9, 1998, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Ages: up to 12
Cost: FREE (Pictures with Easter Bunny cost $1 each)

Arts & Crafts

Third Thursday of each month
2:30 p.m. Activity Center
Cost: $4.00
We try something different each month. Come join us!

BINGO is BACK!

San Marcos Activity Center
Thursday, January 22: 12 noon (potluck)
Friday, February 13, 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 26, 12 noon (potluck)
Thursday, March 12, 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 12 noon (potluck)
Thursday, April 9, 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 30, 12 noon (potluck)

Line Dancing

Tuesdays, 10 a.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. (beginners) and 11 a.m.(Intermediate)
FREE!

Senior Exercise

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., Activity Center
FREE!
Basic aerobics and lots of fun!

Traveling Seniors: We will be everywhere this Spring! All trips leave from main PARD office, 401 E. Hopkins.

Phantom of the Opera at Bass Concert Hall, Austin
Thursday, February 5, 1998, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $55 per person (includes ticket and transportation)

Bush Library/ College Station
Friday, February 27, 1998, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $10.50 (Includes entrance to library and transportation; please bring money for lunch)

Wildflower Exhibit/ Central Market, Austin
Friday, March 13, 1998, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $8.50 (Includes ticket and transportation; please bring money for lunch)
Minimum 5 people

Showboat at the Majestic Theater, San Antonio
Thursday, March 19, 1998, 6 p.m.
Cost: $61.40 for main floor seats and $52.40 for mezzanine seats

Aquarium, Corpus Christi
Friday, March 27, 1998, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $15.50 (Includes entrance fee and transportation; please bring money for lunch)

Drop and Shop Tour, Boerne
Friday, April 3, 1998, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $6.50 (Transportation only: please bring money for lunch and great shopping!)

Battle of the Flowers Parade, San Antonio
Friday, April 24, 1998, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: price to be announced. (This will include parade tickets and transportation; please bring money for lunch)

Contract Programs

Aikido and Aikijujutsu:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.; $35 per month (family rate is $35 for first member, $15 for second member and $10 for each additional family member. Those with student or law enforcement ID, $30 per month) Rather than meeting force with force, students learn to improve balance, strength, coordination and flexibility, as well as an effective member with which to defend oneself.

Weekend Art Classes:
Basic Watercolor, February 7 and 8: Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.; Activity Center, $60 for class with $40 supply fee. Minimum of five people.

Basic Drawing, March 7 and 8: Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.; Activity Center, $60 for class with $15 supply fee. Minimum of five people.

Assault Prevention Classes:
Saturdays, 2 to 3 p.m., Activity Center, $10 per class. This program promotes confidence, physical fitness, positive self-esteem and self-discipline. This is an eight week program.

Bradley Natural Childbirth Class:
Wednesdays, 7 - 9 p.m., Activity Center, $175 or can pay 3 installments of $58.33. The Bradley Method is a system of natural labor techniques that increase self-awareness and help you deal with the stress of labor. Please check with your doctor BEFORE signing up for this class. Minimum 3 couples.

San Marcos Ballet:
Ballet Class: Mondays, 6 p.m. (ages 8-15) and 7 p.m. (ages 16-adult), 7 - 9 p.m.,
Tap Class: Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. (ages 8-15)
Jazz Class: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. (ages 8-15)
Activity Center, $6.50 per class or $24 per month. This is a very exciting class for all levels!

Capoelra:
Sundays, 2-4 p.m.; Mondays and Fridays, 6-8 p.m., Recreation Hall, $25 per month or $5 per class. Capoelra is a fighting art developed over 300 years ago among African peoples living in Brazil. Capoelra incorporates dance and acrobatics as well as martial movements and is a beautiful mode of self expression as well as self defense.

Distinct Dance of Texas:
Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m. (4-7); 7 - 8 p.m. (8 and up). Activity Center. $5 per class. 15 week program will teach students the basics of dance: technique, rhythm and flexibility.

Fly Tying 101:
2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month, 8 a.m. - 12 noon, Activity Center, $25 per month.

Folklorico Dance Class:
Thursdays, 5:30 (Basic); 6:30 (Intermediate), 7:30 (Adult) Activity Center. $5 per class.

Karate:
Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. (ages 5-12); 8-9 p.m. (ages 13 and up). Activity Center. $36 for 12 weeks. This program can improve self-esteem, promotes good attitudes and provides self-defense skills. First class is open for a free, no obligation trial before you register for the class.

Yoga:
Tuesdays: 5:30 - 7 p.m., beginning and intermediate; Activity Center; $20 a month or $6 per class. Seniors and Students, $16 a month or $5 per class.

Texas Dance and Cheer:
Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. (ages 4-7) and 7-8 p.m. (ages 8 and up). Activity Center. $5 per class. Learn the basics of cheer in this great class! You will learn jumps, chants, cheers, flexibility and more! This is a 15 week program.

Athletics

Spring Softball League

Registration begins: January 30, 1998
Deadline: March 20, 1998
Entry Fee: $325 (12 league games plus playoffs)
League Begins: April 6, 1998

Corporate Challenge

Registration begins: January 14, 1998
Managers' Meeting: Mandatory, February 23, 1998, 6:30 p.m. Activity Center
San Marcos Businesses and Corporations compete in various events ranging from Bowling, Horseshoes and Billiards to an Obstacle Course and Volleyball Tournament. Teams compete for points in each event with the winners being awarded prizes at an end-of-year banquet.

Amateur Softball Association Umpire Program

Organizational Meeting: March 6, 1998
Registration Fee: $20 (includes Rule Book, Test, Insurance Information, etc.)
Clinic: Texas ASA State Umpire School hosted in Round Rock on January 24, 1998 at 8 a.m. $40 per umpire. Opportunity to make good $$s umpiring local City Softball League. Work softball from April through November.

Racquetball Ladder

Registration begins: January 16, 1998
Entry Fee: $20 Non-Member; $10 Member (includes court fee and T-shirt)
Players Meeting: February 11, 1998 7 p.m. Activity Center. All adults, youth, men and women who are interested in learning to play or those who need to sharpen their skills.

3 on 3 Noon Basketball League

Registration begins: January 16, 1998
Entry Fee: $30 per team
Games Begin: January 26, 1998. Teams will play games at noon at the Activity Center. Schedule will be flexibile to accommodate busy participants.

Winter Volleyball League

Registration begins: January 16, 1998
Entry Fee: $75
Games Begin: February 2, 1998

6' &Under and 35 & Over Basketball League

Registration begins: January 9, 1998
Entry Fee: $200 (8 league games plus playoffs)
Games Begin: February 3, 1998

Winter Indoor Walking Program

Registration begins: January 16, 1998
Fee: $10 Non-Members, $5 Members
Begins: January 16, 1998. Miles must be completed by April 17, 1998. Walkers can keep track of their mileage totals. Upon completing certain mileage, participants will be given T-shirts.

Open House: January 28, 1998, 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Activity Center

FREE!
All programs on display with demonstrations and refreshments!

San Marcos River Clean Up: March 28, 1998

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
City Park
Help us keep our river clean! Pick up trash on the bank or canoe to other areas. Prizes for the most garbage and many other categories. BBQ will be provided to participants.

Blood Pressure/ Weight and Measurements:

Last Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Activity Center
FREE!
Come by and let us start a "card" so you can track your progress.

Fly Tying Clinic: Saturday, March 21, 1998

Recreation Hall
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
FREE!
Learn the basics of flytying and meet some great people. The Central Texas Flyfishers Club meets the second Tuesday of every month, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Recreation Hall.

Registration Fair: Saturday, April 18, 1998

Activity Center
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
FREE!
Register for Summer 1998 programs, including Summer Fun, Swim Lessons and Pool Parties.

Spring Schedule for the Natatorium

Water Aerobics: 9 a.m. at 5:30 p.m. weekdays
Lap Swim:
Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Prenatal Water Aerobics: 10 a.m. Mondays
Mom & Tot Swim Lessons: (Beginning in February)
Monday and Tuesday: 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
$20 per month
Senior Water Aerobics: 1 p.m. weekdays

Important Telephone Numbers:

Parks and Recreation Department: 393-8400

Activity Center: 393-8280

Parks and Recreation Hotline: 393-8404

San Marcos Little League: 353-1060

FOP Basketball: 396-7066

Soccer Association: 392-0972

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