Celebrate the monarch’s spring migration March 22
By Brooke Littlefield, Assistant Recreation Supervisor
As spring returns, it brings our favorite butterfly back with it.
You can expect to see more of the brilliant orange and black wings of the monarch in the next few weeks. We in the Brazos Valley are fortunate to witness the seasonal migration of the monarchs in the fall as they head south and in the spring as they return to the north.
To celebrate the spring return of our favorite winged friend, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Monarch March event on Sunday, March 22, at Lick Creek Nature Center. The free event will be from 1-4 p.m., and additional parking will be available in the Lick Creek equestrian lot.
Festivities include a walk through Lick Creek Park’s Monarch Waystation, photo and educational booths, tips on creating your waystation or butterfly garden, and much more.
Community organizations such as Butterflies in the Brazos, the Brazos Valley Master Naturalist, and Brazos County Master Gardeners will host booths and lead fun activities to help us learn how to support the amazing monarch.
Join us as we celebrate the monarchs at Lick Creek Park. For more information, visit cstx.gov/LickCreek or call 979-764-6216.
About the Blogger
Brooke Littlefield is in her first year as an assistant recreation supervisor. A College Station native, she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Texas A&M in 2017.
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Bring your pet for Pups and Popcorn Movie Night
By Jamila Parker, Parks & Recreation Activities Assistant
We typically show our loyal pets love and appreciation with new toys or delicious treats. Since we love to spend time with our furry friends, why not bring them to a movie?
Movies in the Park at Wolf Pen Creek has you covered!
Join us on Friday, March 20, for Movies in the Park Pups and Popcorn Night at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater at 1015 Colgate Drive. We’ll show “The Secret Life of Pets 2” on our 32-foot wide inflatable, high-definition screen. Admission is free, gates open at 7 p.m., and the movie begins at sundown.
Bring refreshments, lawn chairs, and blankets, but remember that your coolers must be 48 quarts or smaller — and don’t bring alcohol or glass containers. Come early and enjoy our giant lawn games! You can buy popcorn from a vendor, but if you enter through Holleman Drive, you’ll receive free popcorn and a treat for your pet while supplies last. Please be prepared to clean up after your pet.
For more information, visit cstx.gov/events or call 979-764-3486.
About the Blogger
Activities Assistant Jamila Parker is in her third year with the Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Mesquite, Jamila earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Sam Houston State in 2018.
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Fundamental Field Hockey program starts April 1
By Trish Winkle, Fundamental Field Hockey Instructor
Did you know that field hockey is one of the most-played sports in the world?
Field hockey is similar to soccer but uses a hook-shaped stick to hit the ball up and down the field. While it’s been an Olympic sport for more than a century, field hockey in the United States has mostly been limited to the east coast.
However, the sport recently has gained popularity and blossomed across the country — even in Texas. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce our new Fundamental Field Hockey program, which is designed to expose young athletes to the sport while emphasizing fun physical activity.
Our program follows USA Field Hockey’s FUNdamental youth development program, where players learn skills and basic knowledge of positions, rules, and equipment. They also participate in intergroup games and fun competitions. We provide sticks and balls and recommended close-toed athletic shoes, shin guards, and mouth guards.
The program features 5-9 and 10-13 age divisions and runs April 1-May 6 at Veterans Park & Athletic Complex. The cost is $40. Registration ends March 29 and is available online, by calling 979-764-3486 or at the Central Park office at 1000 Krenek Tap Road.
About the Blogger
Trisha Winkle is a former collegiate field hockey player who has coached at the club, high school, and collegiate levels. A native of New Jersey, Trish recently moved to the area to work in Texas’s A&M’s Education Abroad program. In her free time, she shares her love of field hockey.
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Family-Friendly Starlight Music Series hits 19th year
By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
For 19 years, the Starlight Music Series has attracted music lovers of all kinds for free, family-friendly entertainment under the stars at the beautiful Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater.
The 2020 Starlight Music Series begins May 2, followed by shows on May 16, May 30, and June 6. We invite families, friends, and visitors to bring your picnic baskets, coolers, blankets, and lawn chairs for four Saturday nights of rockin’ fun.
Here’s the lineup:
May 2: Britishmania
The legend lives on with Britishmania, the World’s Best Beatles tribute band. With mind-blowing performances and true-to-era attire, Britishmania recreates the revolution that changed the world. The foursome delivers note-for-note theatrical performances that will take you back in time.
May 16: Bidi Bidi Banda with guest Quimikoz Del Son
Bidi Bidi Banda is Austin’s first all-star Selena tribute. Composed of members of some of Austin’s premier Latin bands, Bidi Bidi Banda is the dream of Stephanie Bergara, a native Austinite who grew up listening to Tejano radio and singing to a hairbrush while wearing her mother’s red lipstick. The band’s interpretation of Selena’s greatest hits will leave you belting lyrics, doing the washing machine, and reliving greatness of the Queen of Tejano Music.
May 30: Infinite Journey with guest Desperado
Infinite Journey is an international Journey tribute band based in Dallas that has been performing high-energy shows across the country since 2012. The five-piece group delivers a musically immersive Journey experience, focusing on the overall sound, solos, and soaring vocals that made Journey iconic.
June 6: Cupid & the Dance Party Express with guests Mi’Chel Rose and the Zydeco Players
Louisiana-born R&B vocalist Bryson Bernard, popularly known as Cupid, first sang in his church choir and was encouraged by his pastor father. Cupid shuffled his way into the hearts of millions with the up-tempo party song, “Cupid Shuffle,” which also inspired the popular dance craze of the same name.
Load up your coolers, blankets and lawn chairs for another packed schedule of open-air concerts at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater.
Here are more details:
- Gates open at 6 p.m., with the concerts starting at 7.
- Free parking is available at Post Oak Mall, with handicap parking off Colgate Drive.
- Coolers and containers must be 48 quarts or smaller.
- Pets, kegs, and glass aren’t allowed.
- Chairs are welcome but may not occupy blanket-only seating.
- Smoking isn’t allowed in the main seating area, but we provide designated smoking areas.
- Concessions are available for purchase.
For more information, visit cstx.gov/starlight, call 979-764-3486, email parks@cstx.gov, or visit the Stephen C. Beachy Central Park Office at 1000 Krenek Tap Road.
About the Blogger
Kelli Nesbitt (@kneztalk) has served the Parks & Recreation Department for 15 years, the last eight as marketing coordinator. A native of Bryan, Kelli earned a bachelor’s degree in health & kinesiology from Sam Houston State.
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Splash pads open Sunday at Central, Tarrow parks
By Jackie Rangel, Parks & Recreation Marketing Assistant
When I was a little girl in Houston, we loved trying to keep our balance as cold water splashed on our heads from the filled buckets at a city splash pad. I fondly remember the laughs, giggles, and fun.
Oh, to be a kid again!
Children love splash pads, especially when their parents join them, so slip on your swimsuit and slather on the sunscreen — the City of College Station’s splash pads open Sunday!
With the chill of winter starting to move out and spring approaching, we know you’re more than ready for the fun and exhilaration of tipping buckets, weeping water, and the directional spray areas at our pads at W.A. Tarrow Park and the Fun for All Playground at Beachy Central Park. They’re open daily from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Be advised that no lifeguards are on duty, so you must supervise your children. Pets, food, glass objects, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and tobacco are prohibited. We don’t allow toys, skateboards, rollerblades, skates, bikes, scooters, or similar equipment, either.
For more information, contact us at 979-764-3486 or parks@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
Jackie has worked for the Parks and Recreation Department for almost six years. She’s an active volleyball mom and serves as a referee in our adult volleyball league.
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Part-time job fair set for March 4 at Lincoln Center
By Ana Romero, Recreation Manager
During my college years, I worked as an arts and crafts program aide at a community center. The experience introduced me to job etiquette, customer service, and creativity — skills I’ve used throughout my career.
Most successful employees have had at least one part-time job before starting their full-time careers. In addition to earning a paycheck, you learn valuable organizational and work skills, along with how to work with a team, manage your time, and budget.
The City of College Station offers similar opportunities. Part-time summer jobs with the Parks and Recreation Department include recreation assistants for our youth programs, lifeguards for our pools, water safety instructors to teach swim lessons, swim coaches for our Tsunami Swim Team, and much more.
Our Part-Time Job Fair is Wednesday, March 4 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. You can visit information booths, enjoy activities, meet supervisors, and complete an application. You might even get an on-site interview, so bring your resume and dress to impress.
Get your game face on, and we’ll see you there. Through our summer programs, you may even discover a career path!
About the Blogger
Ana Romero is in her fourth year as recreation manager. She previously served the City of McAllen as recreation supervisor, community center manager, and aquatics superintendent. Ana earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M in 2001.
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