Parks & Recreation

The Orange County Parks & Recreation Department (OCPR) is primarily responsible for the development and provision of leisure activities and facilities for the citizens of Orange County. Current facilities consistently operated by OCPR (either solely or in conjunction with other entities) include: all Orange County Schools (evenings & weekends), Barboursville Community Park, Dix Memorial Pool (May - Sept), Taylor Education Administration Complex, and Bethlehem United Methodist Church - Senior Center. Many of these locations are available for public use on a daily basis, such as the Hornet Sports Center (HSC). The HSC is operated as a community center on nights and weekends, providing basketball, racquetball, weightlifting, and a walking track. Additional locations and facilities are used as needed.

OCPR provides a wide variety of organized leisure activities for all ages including: instructional classes (i.e.. CPR and First Aid); adult & youth sports leagues (i.e. Volleyball & Soccer); educational/recreational camps (i.e. Science, Soccer & Basketball); contract classes (i.e.. Tae Kwon Do); learn to ski/snowboard program at Massanutten; swimming lessons and swim team; themed family and youth dances (i.e. Father/Daughter Dance); and special events. Annual special events include the Lake of the Woods 5k races, Spring Fling & the Harlem Rockets comedy basketball game. OCPR also offers discount tickets to east coast theme parks and attractions, including Paramount's Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens & Water Country.

OCPR operates five licensed child care facilities, four before/after school programs and one early childhood center for ages six weeks to five years. These programs represent the majority of center based child care within Orange County - providing a safe environment for over 275 children. Hours of operation vary slightly but in general are from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM. The school age programs are located in elementary schools and operate Monday through Friday, year round with the exception of major holidays. The Child Garden Center operates on a similar schedule and is located at the Taylor Education Administration Complex.

The OCPR office (located in the Sedwick Building) handles the daily operation of all programs and services provided by the department. All forms collected off site are consolidated within the main office. Duties include: program development & implementation; collection of registration forms/fees; dissemination of schedules, equipment & information; planning, development & construction of new facilities. The office staff consists of four full time employees: Director, Recreation Supervisor, Administrative Assistant and Accounts Clerk. In addition, the Office on Youth reports to the OCPR Director.