Round Rocker: Parks and Recreation 411

Overwhelming response at tree recycling 2008

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:36:00 GMT

Thank you!!! More than 700 Christmas trees were recycled at the Brush Recycling Center this year as part of the 2008 recycle drive. We broke a one-day record with 436 trees recycled in one day, compared to last year's 366. While you may have missed the drive, residents, you can still recycle your tree at the Center. Any resident can drop off a "small load" of up to 2 cubic yards (approx a pick-up truck load) for free any time. Non-residents and contractors are charged a $15 fee. Thanks for recycling and helping keep trees out of our landfills. Did you know we turn those trees into that FREE mulch we give away to residents???

The NEW Round Rock Baseball league announces spring registration details!

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:20:00 GMT

The Round Rock Baseball League released the registration schedule for Spring 2009! Visit www.leaguelineup.com/rrbl for a full list of registration dates and rates. Registration takes place at various onsite locations starting January 10 or online. Support Round Rock's new unified baseball league in their first registration!

Daddy Daughter Dance tickets now for sale

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:51:00 GMT

To say the Daddy Daughter dance is precious is an understatement. We get girls of all ages who come dressed up in their best dress to dance the night away with their dads and friends. Highlights include the dance contest and the "why I love my dad/ daughter" wall. This year's dance is on Saturday, February 7. This event is always a sell out, so dad's don't delay and register early for the dance. Tickets are now for sale. www.roundrockrecreation.com

Last chance to recycle your Christmas Tree in Round Rock!

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:14:00 GMT

Happy New Year! Now its officially time to remove the Christmas decorations from your house and that includes the Christmas Tree! Don’t just toss the tree out with the trash, take it to the Brush Recycling Center to recycle your Christmas tree with the City of Round Rock. That tree turns into the free mulch that we put on our lawns in the spring and you get a free seedling while supplies last. For more information visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/forestry

When's the last time you played kickball?

Terri Waggoner — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:22:00 GMT

The City's spring co-ed kickball league registration begins next week and I'm rounding up my coworkers to participate again this Spring. I would argue that we had the most fun of any team out there because we had an absolute blast. You couldn't miss our teams' consistent cheering section of coworkers who came out with a cooler (and cameras at times!) to cheer like crazy and document when we scored, threw the ball or even just when we kicked! It was a great time and whether we intended it at first or not, it became a great team building because we were able to cut loose outside the office and play together. I originally had this crazy thought that kickball was an easy game we played in elementary school because anyone can kick a ball right? LOL. Well I learned its not necessarily easy when you're an adult!

So when are you joining a team? The registration form is on the parks and recreation website. Come join the fun!

Free aerobic classes at Clay Madsen Rec Center

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:49:00 GMT

It pays to be a member of the Clay Madsen Recreation Center. In January, in addition to 10% off annual memberships (except corporate rate), the Center is kicking off a series of new drop in aerobics classes free for members for two weeks from January 5- January 16.

Classes include Mat Pilates, a class that increases energy level while improving your core strength and posture. Zumba – a fusion of Latin dance rhythms and fitness aerobics. Body Sculpting, VInyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Boot Camp. Check out the new group exercise programs online at www.roundrocktexas.gov/claymadsen. Clay Madsen NEVER has a joining fee. Check it out!

Adopt a Unit success at Christmas Family Night

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:51:00 GMT

Thanks all for a successful Adopt-A-Unit Donation Station on Christmas Family Night with more than $400 donated in cash and checks for the unit and nearly half of our giant box was filled with care package donations and stacks of cards from kids and adults. This is what Christmas is all about! Thank you to the Round Rock Community for your continued support of the Adopt a Unit campaign. Our soldiers and their families appreciate what we're doing for them. Did you see the pile of letters that Mayor McGraw had from the soliders saying thank you? If you want to support the adopt a unit campaign, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/forthood

Stay warm with free firewood at the Brush Recycling Center

Terri Waggoner — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:27:00 GMT

Free firewood is now available for Round Rock residents at the City of Round Rock Brush Recycling Center, 310 Deepwood Drive, while supplies last. Now, in addition to the free mulch, residents benefit from free firewood! The wood and logs are in an “as is” rugged condition. In several instances, residents will need to cut and/or split the wood themselves. The logs are available for non-commercial use by Round Rock citizens. Chainsaws may not be used at the Brush Recycling Center, however residents are free to take the wood home to prepare it themselves. Residents need to be prepared to load their own firewood supply into their vehicle. The Brush Recycling Center is open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm and closed Wednesday and Sunday. Call 512-218-5540 for more information.

Construction update: baseball fields at Old Settlers Park

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:41:00 GMT

We opened the Hall of Fame Softball Complex back on November 1 and girls' softball is underway. If you haven't seen the fields - what are you waiting for? They're awesome!!! Plus, they give a preview of what the baseball complex will look like. We are currently on schedule to open the baseball complex in early February. The bleacher shade structures, playgrounds, and parking lots are complete at the majority of the baseball complexes. Items that remain to be completed include the concrete sidewalks, masonry work, batting cages, landscaping and restroom improvements. The baseball complex is still closed due to the construction site.

In the meantime, the Round Rock Baseball League is planning their spring season. Registration is around the corner, and we will post info on here as it becomes available. The Round Rock Baseball League website is www.leaguelineup.com/rrbl. Bookmark it today!

Christmas Family Night - WOW

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:36:00 GMT

I can't even begin to try to put a number on the amount of people who came out for Christmas Family Night on Friday. It was packed, yet the lines moved fast and we had a great time. There was a trombone choir, dancing, live music, carolers, carriage rides, puppet shows at the library, the biggest Christmas Tree EVER in the courtyard, and of course, Santa Claus!

The People and Parks Giving Circle announced that they'll be helping to fund the Chisholm Trail Crossing Pathway and presented a check to the city. Mayor Alan McGraw hosted the water tower, tree and street lighting ceremony and opened a gift from Fort Hood of thank you letters from the soldiers we've been sending care packages to this year. Many people generously gave to support our troops as part of the city's Adopt A Unit Campaign. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this effort. Its not a one-time commitment,but an entire year commitment by our city and you're helping us to exceed expectations. THANK YOU!!! Did you attend Christmas Family Night? What was your favorite part? What would you like to see next year?

Christmas Family Countdown: Support our troops!

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:04:00 GMT

The City of Round Rock has partnered with Fort Hood to adopt a unit for 2008/2009. Throughout the year we've collected care package donations to send to the soldiers overseas. Now you can help, my bringing donations to Christmas Family Night to support our troops. Items to donate include: cards, letters, powdered drinks, snacks, games, and chewing gum. For more information on what type of items to bring please visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/forthood. As you celebrate Christmas Family Night, please consider supporting the City's Adopt a Unit campaign.

Christmas Family Countdown: Hot dogs

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:02:00 GMT

Rollin, rollin, rollin. How many people does it take to roll hot dogs for Christmas Family Night??? Sounds like the start of a joke, but its no joke how much time and effort it takes to roll up thousands of hot dogs to give away at Christmas Family Night tonight! The hot dogs, hot chocolate, and popcorn are all free while supplies last. Christmas Family Night is our opportunity to say thank you to the community for all your support throughout the year. We'll see you there!

Christmas Family Countdown: Round Rock's Christmas Tree

Terri Waggoner — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:28:00 GMT

The Christmas Family Night Tree was set up downtown yesterday! Have you seen it? It is HUGE. 33 ft tall, 20 feet wide and 16.5 inch diameter at the base. The tree is set up in the courtyard across the street from the library and, trust me, you can't miss it! We will officially light the tree at 6:30 pm on Friday at the start of the Christmas Family Night Celebration. Today ornaments and lights were hung on the tree. We've wrapped giant gift boxes and bows to go underneath it too. Be sure to check it out.

CMRC weight room closed Dec 12-14

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:14:00 GMT

Wanted to give you plenty of heads up! The Clay Madsen Recreation Center weight room will be closed Friday, December 12 - Sunday, December 14 for the installation of a new free weight area floor. The weight room could re-open earlier than expected, so please call the Front Desk at 218-3220 for the status of weight room over the weekend! The rest of the recreation center is open for recreational use. Visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/claymadsen for more information on the Clay Madsen Recreation Center.

Christmas Family Night Countdown 2009

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Friday is Christmas Family Night and downtown Round Rock transforms into a celebration of the Christmas holiday. Visit Santa, Frosty the Snowman, play Christmas Bingo, watch puppet shows and more.

We're already getting ready here at the Parks and Recreation office as we're getting decorations together, creating and stuffing bags for Christmas Bingo and hanging Christmas lights! Mark your calendar for Friday - and while you're out Christmas shopping this week, grab an item for our soldiers. The City of Round Rock adopted a unit from Fort Hood and we're sending care packages to our soldiers year-round and will be collecting cards, presents and more for them! visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/forthood for more info! We'll see you Friday!