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Parks and Recreation

Harris Center

425 Perry St

ABAIGH BRENNAN

ABAIGH BRENNAN

public relations spec-p&r

Welcome to the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation weekly newsletter!

March 16 - March 22, 2026

The 2026 Spring Invitational Exhibition

The Auburn Arts Association and the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) will be hosting a reception celebrating the opening of the Spring Invitational Exhibition on Friday, March 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the JDCAC. This event is free and open to the public.

The Spring Invitation Exhibition gallery will feature a variety of works from four featured artists and will be open for viewing March 10 to April 18 at the JDCAC.

For more information, please visit auburnal.myrec.com.

2026 Breakfast with the Bunny

The 5th annual Breakfast with the Bunny will be held March 21 from 8–11 a.m. at the Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center, featuring a $10 buffet breakfast from Another Broken Egg, activities, photos with the Easter Bunny and egg hunts at 10:30 a.m. (ages 0–3) and 10:45 a.m. (ages 4–5). The event is for ages 5 and under, and all attendees must have a ticket. Registration for this event is now closed.

Registration for 46th annual Easter Egg Hunt open now

The 46th annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for April 4 at Duck Samford Baseball Park Lower Fields, beginning at 9 a.m.; the cost is $5 per child and pre‑registration is required. Hunt times are 10:30 a.m. for ages 0–3 (Field 10), 10:45 a.m. for ages 4–6 (Field 9), 11 a.m. for ages 7–8 (Field 7) and 11:15 a.m. for ages 9–10 (Field 5. The event includes thousands of eggs, prize baskets, inflatables, balloon animals, face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny. Registered participants will receive a map by email, and the event will move indoors if needed due to weather.

For more information and to register visit: auburnal.gov/easteregghunt.

Auburn CityFest volunteer applications now open

Applications for Auburn CityFest volunteers are open now and will close on Wednesday, April 22. Volunteer duties may include vendor station assembly, tending to the children’s stations, crowd management and other various tasks. Volunteers will receive free lunch, merchandise and community service hours if needed.

Applications are open now and available at auburnal.myrec.com.

2026 Fishing Rodeo

The 32nd annual Fishing Rodeo will be held Saturday, May 9, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Auburn Technology Park South lake. Registration will open Wednesday, April 1, for Auburn residents and Monday, April 13, for non-residents. Registration is $5 per child and is open to children ages 1 to 14.

The first 175 participants to register will receive a free rod and reel courtesy of Evans Realty along with bait supplied by the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. All participants must register prior to the event.

For more information, please visit auburnal.myrec.com.

Tails and Trails 3K registration now open

Auburn Parks and Recreation is kicking off Bark in the Park with Tails and Trails 3K. The race will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Kiesel Park with Bark in the Park to follow. Online registration is free and open now through Saturday, March 21.

Tails and Trails will not be timed, but prizes for the top three finishers and best-dressed pups will be announced at 9:45 a.m. near the starting line.

For more information or to register, please visit auburnal.myrec.com.

Outdoor water fountains back in operation

All outdoor water fountains at City parks and playgrounds are now fully operational and ready to use after being winterized during the colder months.

Applications for the 20th annual SummerNight Downtown Art Walk now open

The 2026 SummerNight Art Walk will take place on Friday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Auburn. Artist, local businesses, culinary artist and volunteer applications are now open and will close on Friday, May 22. The festival will feature a variety of activities including local artists, live music, food and fun activities for kids.

Applications are available online at auburnsummernight.org.

Encaustic Transfer Exhibition

The 2026 Encaustic Transfer Exhibition will be on view at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center Art Gallery from March 3-18. The exhibition will feature work from nine participating artists created during the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute week-long course exploring the art of encaustic wax transferring. Guests will also be able to view several demo pieces created by the instructor.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers community-based education opportunities to adults typically ages 50 and older to support intellectual curiosity, healthy aging and meaningful connection.

For more information on the exhibition and OLLI programs, please contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 334-501-2930.

2026 Bark in the Park

Auburn Parks and Recreation will be partnering with Care Humane Society to host Bark in the Park, an event celebrating responsible dog ownership. This event will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Kiesel Park and will feature educational booths, local vendors, door prizes, dog-friendly activities and rescue dogs available for adoption.

For more information on Bark in the Park please visit auburnal.gov/barkinthepark

Splash and Dash registration now open

Registration for the inaugural Youth Splash and Dash is now open. The event will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 7 a.m. at the Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center. The Youth Splash and Dash is designed for children ages 6-12 and will feature confidence-building athletic challenges including a 200-yard swim, followed by a 2K run around the Lake Wilmore Park facility and nearby athletic fields.

To register, please visit auburnal.myrec.com.

Register now for Spring Programs

Get ready for a new season of programs, activities and sports! Register now at auburnal.gov/parks/register!

Don’t miss your chance to sign up and secure your spot for the upcoming season.

2026 Auburn CityFest vendor and sponsorship applications are now open

Auburn Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that vendor applications for the 25th annual Auburn CityFest are now open! Auburn CityFest—our largest annual outdoor festival—will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Kiesel Park.

Applications are available online only at auburnal.myrec.com for the following categories:

  • Food vendors (Food Vendor Applications are closed - all spaces have been filled.)
  • Arts and crafts vendors (handcrafted items only)
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Sponsorships

All applicants will be placed on a waitlist upon submission. Once applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of their acceptance or denial. Please note that past participation does not guarantee acceptance for 2026.

Auburn CityFest is a beloved community tradition featuring more than 100 art exhibitors, live entertainment, children’s activities, delicious food and more. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of Auburn’s premier outdoor festival!

Stay in the know with our new Pickleball E-Notifier

Love pickleball? Don’t miss a beat! Auburn Parks and Recreation has launched a new Pickleball E-notifier to keep players updated on open play schedules, events, cancellations, and more.

Sign up today to get the latest pickleball news delivered straight to your inbox.

For more information and to subscribe, visit: auburnal.gov/enotifier.

Lake Wilmore Park Pool is closed for upgrades

The pool at Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center is closed for the final phase of construction on the pool enclosure that is expected to last into early 2026.

The project will include installing roll-up doors and a dehumidification system, allowing the pool to fully function year-round. These upgrades are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the facility and improve the overall experience for members and guests.

During the closure, yearly All-Inclusive memberships will not be available for purchase. Existing yearly memberships will automatically be extended by one month for each month the pool is closed.

Monthly memberships will be offered at a reduced rate:

  • Individual Monthly and Monthly Auto Draft: $10/month
  • Family Monthly and Monthly Auto Draft: $30/month
  • Individual Daily Passes: $5/day

These discounted rates provide continued access to other amenities at the Boykin Community Center, Frank Brown Recreation Center and Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center while the pool is undergoing improvements.

For more information about the project and updates on reopening, please contact Auburn Parks and Recreation at webparksrec@auburnal.gov or 334-501-2930.

Auburn Parks and Recreation membership opportunities

The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department is excited to introduce a new membership structure designed to provide greater access and affordability for residents to enjoy Parks and Recreation facilities.

This update coincides with the addition of the Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center, a new facility featuring a fitness center, indoor track, basketball courts, pickleball courts and pool.

Auburn Parks and Recreation has designed membership plans for every lifestyle — from those looking for a fitness upgrade to families seeking fun and wellness.

Membership options for Auburn residents (must live or work in Auburn)

Lake Wilmore Pickleball Courts Now Open

Free Amenities Membership:

Includes access to free-play basketball at Boykin Community Center (BCC), Dean Road Recreation Center (DRRC), Frank Brown Recreation Center (FBRC) and Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center (LWP), as well as the eSports room, game room and racquetball court at FBRC.

Annual registration is required for this free membership, which is available at auburnal.gov/register.

Paid Memberships:

Includes access to all fitness centers (BCC, FBRC and LWP), indoor walking track (LWP), aquatic facilities (LWP and Samford Pool), free-play basketball (BCC, DRRC, FBRC, LW) and additional amenities at Frank Brown Recreation Center (eSports room, game room and racquetball court).

  • Individual Memberships
    • $20/month or $200/year
  • Family Memberships (includes up to six household members)
    • $60/month or $600/year
    • Add-On Member: $10/month per additional person
  • Low-Income Discount (Medicaid Card Holders)
    • 50% off membership fees
  • SilverSneakers® Members (65+)
  • Fitness Membership to BCC and FBRC ONLY
    • $30/person/year

Options for non-residents & non-members

  • Daily Pass: $10 per day grants access to all fitness centers, indoor track and pools
  • Pool Daily Pass: $5 per day grants access to both pools (LWP and SP)

Current membership holders

Current memberships at Boykin Community Center and Frank Brown Recreation Center will be honored for those facilities ONLY. However, members interested in accessing Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center or the pools (LWP and SP) will need to purchase a new membership and will receive a one-time $30 discount off their first annual membership purchase.

Membership access

  • Membership is non-refundable, non-transferable and can only be used by the card holder.
  • Children ages 16-18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while using the fitness centers.

Purchase a membership

Membership cards can be picked up from the Frank Brown Recreation Center or Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center.

For cash payments, please visit the Harris Center. Please note, those paying in cash will still be required to complete the online registration for membership.

For more information, please contact 334-501-2930 or registration@auburnal.gov, visit auburnal.gov/parks. or follow @COAParksAndRec on Facebook and Instagram.

Auburn Parks and Recreation seeking talented instructors

Auburn Parks and Recreation is looking for qualified contract instructors to teach classes and programs in the community. The department is seeking passionate individuals with expertise in fitness, arts, sports and recreation to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with Auburn residents.

Auburn Parks and Recreation offers a diverse range of programs and activities for people of all ages and abilities. The department is looking for instructors to lead classes in areas such as:

  • Fitness: Aquatics, Low Impact, Teen Fitness and Preschool Fitness
  • Wellness: Nutrition Education, Stress Management, Support Group Leaders and Mindfulness Workshops
  • Senior Programs: Mahjong, Bunco, Fitness, Music, etc.
  • Special Needs Programs: Art, Writing, Finance, Dance, etc.
  • Special Interests: Homeschool Leaders, CPR/First Aid, ACT Prep, etc.
  • Athletics: Youth League Coaches, Tennis Instructors, Special Olympics Coaches

Qualified candidates should possess strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as a proven ability to create engaging and effective learning environments. Experience in teaching group classes is preferred but not required. References, and in some cases certifications, will be required.

Interested individuals may email Community and Special Programs Administrator Gabby Filgo at gfilgo@auburnal.gov.

Auburn Parks and Recreation is accepting reservation requests online

Auburn Parks and Recreation accepts facility and park reservation requests online. Those who wish to reserve a facility, athletic facility or park pavilion can complete their application for request using their online account at auburnal.myrec.com.

Please make all requests at least two weeks prior to the desired reservation date in order to leave time for the approval process. Requests must be reviewed and approved by the facility director and department director. Once approved, payments can be made online using a credit card or by cash or check in-person at the Harris Center.

Yarbrough Tennis Center Updates

Visit YTC News for the latest at the Yarbrough Tennis Center