As a Playful City USA, the
City of Arlington has scheduled not one, but ten official days of
play. Obviously every day is a great day to play, but these
Naturally Fun Neighborhood (NFN)
events have been specially created for participants of all
ages throughout Arlington to enjoy the great outdoors. The Arlington
Parks and Recreation Department has numerous parks, facilities and
events for you to enjoy year-round, but the NFN events offer you the
chance to participant in activities that you may never had the
chance to try like kayaking, fishing, camping, disc golf and more.
Naturally Fun Neighborhoods
is a series of free outdoor events focused on bringing individual
neighborhoods and residents together in a family-friendly and
healthy environment. Recreational activities will include nature
themed arts and crafts, active and creative play, outdoor
recreational opportunities and fishing and archery demonstrations
from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department certified instructors. The
NFN program is presented by Arlington Parks & Recreation staff in an
effort to lead neighborhoods in activities and help strengthen our
community as a whole. Come out and enjoy the fun! Activities will
vary based on location and the NFN events are open to people of all
ages, abilities and residency.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Map of the 2009 Naturally Fun
Neighborhoods (coming soon)
Tents and Tales at River Legacy Parks
701 NW Green Oaks Blvd- Friday March 6, 4pm-7am Featuring: Tent Decorating Contest, Movie Time, Campfire
Sing-a-Long and more. Plus: Join us for a night under the stars as we campout at
River Legacy Parks. Make sure to pack your tents and sleeping bags
as we set out for wilderness right here in Arlington! The night will
include dinner, a movie under the stars, sleeping bag story time,
smores and a good old fashioned campfire sing-a-long. You may bring
your own tent or rent one from us. Fee is $10 per camper; children
under 2 are FREE.
Ditto Golf Course
801 Brown Blvd - Saturday April 18, 1-3pm Featuring: Putting Course, Chipping Contest, Bounce House,
Prizes and Food. Plus: Bring the whole family to our fun-filled day of golf!
It will be a great opportunity for people of all ages to get
interested in the game. Our Pro staff will be on site to give
golfing tips and demonstrate techniques. We will also have lots of
golf activities such as a putting course and chipping contest.
Prizes, merchandise discounts and free food will be offered as well.
Come out and enjoy the golfing FUN!
Earth Day at Veterans Park
3600 W Arkansas Lane- Saturday April 25, 11am-1pm Featuring: Nature Walks in the Zeriscape, Disc Golf games,
Arts & Crafts and Food. Plus: Celebrate Earth Day with us as we enjoy the great
outdoors at Veterans Park. You can take a nature walk tour conducted
by the Arlington Conservation Council and learn about our certified
Monarch Waystations in the Xeriscape. Or, you can have fun playing a
game of Disc Golf and participating in our craft activities. This
event will be the perfect way to celebrate our planet Earth!
USTA Block Party at Arlington Tennis Center
500 W Mayfield- Saturday May 2, 1-4pm Featuring: Tennis Games, Dunking Booth, Live Music, Prizes
and Food. Plus: Join the fun at Arlington Tennis Center on and off the
courts! Activities on court will include adult open drills, Cardio
Tennis drills, "Beat the Pro" contest and a special QuickStart court
lesson for kids. Fun off the court will feature a dunking booth,
with proceeds benefiting Arlington Animal Services, live music and
refreshments. The Arlington Animal Services will also be on site
with their mobile adoption unit for on-the-spot pet adoptions. Come
join the free tennis fun!
Arbor Day at Richard Simpson Park
6300 W Arkansas Lane- Saturday May 9, 9am-2pm Featuring: Adventure Race, Tree Planting, Animal Shows,
Activities and Food. Plus: Honor Arbor Day with us by planting a tree! All
participants will receive a free tree to take home. We will also
have the Arbor Day Adventure Race that features a one mile run,
canoe trek and obstacle course. The Critter Man will be on site as
well with live animals and an interactive animal show. This event
will be a nature-filled day for everyone to enjoy!
You can find all the information about the Adventure Race and
registration at
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1718935
Click on the green Register Now button to begin the registration
process.
Kids
Fishing Derby at Bowman Springs Park
Saturday June 6, 7am- 12pm
Featuring: Karen Sanchez, Fishing, Kayaking, Activities, Food
and more. Plus: Bring your rod and reel to the 8th Annual Fishing Derby
for kids age 17 and under. Meet professional co-angler, Karen
Sanchez and have fun fishing and playing at Lake Arlington. Also,
people of all ages will be able to try the sport of kayaking just
offshore in a designated area. Just bring your kayak or canoe to
join the water fun and be sure to bring your life jackets too.
For more information on the Tarrant Christian Bass Club -
http://www.tarrantchristianbassclub.com
Cliff Nelson Recreation Center
Tuesday August 18, 5-8pm
Featuring: Fishing, Activities, Program Discounts and Food. Plus: Join us for an Open House at Cliff Nelson Recreation
Center. Not only will you be able to get discounts for programs if
you register during open house, you will also be able to have some
fun participating in activities and going fishing. Just bring your
fishing gear and compete for prizes. If you don’t have a fishing
rod, a limited supply of equipment will be available. Bait will also
be provided for all participants. This event will be the perfect
opportunity to get program discounts and have some fun at the same
time!
Carl Knox Park
1200 Susan Drive- Saturday September 12, 10am-2pm Featuring: Project Reach Health Fair and Neighborhood Event Plus: Come meet your neighbors and get some free food at our
Naturally Fun Neighborhood event at Carl Knox Park. Enjoy many fun
outdoor activities such as soccer and basketball. The Home Depot
will be there with their kid’s workshop for arts and crafts. There
will be balloon art for everyone, games for you and your family to
play, and music to enjoy. All in attendance will be eligible for
door prizes. There will also be many different free medical
services, advice, and screenings.
Don Misenhimer Park & Trinity Trash Bash
Saturday September 19, 12-2pm
Featuring: Soccer, Basketball, Activities, Food, and the Trinity
Trash Bash. Plus: Join us to help clean up Arlington at the Trinity Trash
Bash and enjoy the great outdoors too! Don Misenhimer Park will
serve as the host park to the annual Trinity Trash Bash. At this
event, hundreds of volunteers are expected to clean up litter that
pollutes our public waterways and parks. We will have bounce houses,
sports, food and fun for everyone to enjoy as well. If you are
interested in joining this community clean-up call 817-459-5477.
Family Campout at Veterans Park
Friday October 16, 4pm-7am Featuring: Tent Decorating Contest, Movie Time, Campfire
Sing-a-Long and more! Plus: Join us for a night under the stars as we campout at
Veterans Park. Make sure to pack your tents and sleeping bags as we
set out for wilderness right here in Arlington! The night will
include dinner, a movie under the stars, sleeping bag story time,
smores and a good old fashioned campfire sing-a-long. You may bring
your own tent or rent one from us. Fee is $10 per camper; children
under 2 are FREE.
Kids
Fishing Derby at Bowman Springs Park