Activities & Recreational Programs

The City of Fresno Parks, Afterschool, Recreation and Community Services Department is committed to providing safe, enjoyable, and inclusive recreation opportunities for all abilities and ages. Daily opportunities for recreational activities include social dances, adaptive sports, culturally inclusive activities, inclusive hands-on science, and theme-based adaptive special events. The program currently operates at Ted C. Wills Community Center Monday- Friday from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The Adult Sports program offers year-round recreational and competitive play for members of the community ages 18 and older. Leagues are organized into divisions from novice to competitive for softball, basketball, soccer, and cricket. Games are played on weekday evenings and weekends at Ted C. Wills Gymnasium, Regional Sports Complex, Inspiration Park, and other local neighborhood parks.

Registration is taken on a team basis only. Individuals interested in joining a team may be placed on a free agent list. Leagues & Events offered for fiscal year 2022 included the Up All Night Softball Tournament, Summer Basketball League, Elite 8 Basketball Tournament, Summer Softball League, Fall Softball League, Fall Cricket League, Winter Basketball League, Spring Softball League & a Flag Football League.

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The Youth Recreation Program provides services that keep children and teens engaged. Youth Recreation Programming includes arts and crafts, tournaments, cooking classes, outside games and sports, karate, break dancing, Zumba, movie nights as well as educational components including homework help and tutoring, teen leadership development, mentoring, and community services projects. Additionally, the Youth Recreation Program has year around events and camps for youth.

Program sites:

• Dickey
• Einstein
• El Dorado
• Fink White
• Frank H. Ball
• Highway City
• Holmes
• Inspiration
• Lafayette
• Mary Ella Brown
• Maxie L. Parks
• Melody
• Mosqueda
• Pinedale
• Quigley
• Romain
• Sunset
• Ted C. Wills

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The City of Fresno Aquatics Program is designed to provide the local community with opportunities for safe, fun, low-cost summer recreational swimming, swim lessons and senior water exercises at various locations in Fresno. All lifeguards working for the city are certified in Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR training.

2023 Splash Pad Park Locations:

Dickey Playground – 50 N. Calaveras St. (Blackstone & Divisadero)
Figarden Loop Park – 4265 W. Figarden Dr. (Figarden & Bullard Loop)
Inspiration Park – 5770 W. Gettysburg Ave. (Gettysburg & Polk)
Martin Ray Reilly Park – 750 N. Chestnut Ave. (Chestnut & Hwy 180)
Mosqueda Community Center – 4670 E. Butler Ave. (Maple & Butler)
Todd Beamer Park – 1890 E. Plymouth Way (Maple & Plymouth.)
Vinland Park – 4695 E. Gettysburg Ave. (Maple & Gettysburg)

Senior Water Aerobics

Mosqueda Pool – 4670 E. Butler (Maple & Butler)

2023 AQUATICS SEASON

Pools open June 12, 2023 – Early September

Mosqueda Pool – 4670 E. Butler (Maple & Butler)

JOIN OUR TEAM – BECOME A LIFEGUARD
Join our Aquatics Team and become a Lifeguard for the 2023 Aquatics Season.

• Must be a minimum of 15 years of age to apply.
• Must have a valid Red Cross Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR certificate. (Not certified? No problem. The City of Fresno PARCS Department offers free Red Cross Certification classes for employees.)

JOB POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

• Lifeguard
• Senior Lifeguard
• Pool Supervisor

APPLY ONLINE AT www.fresno.gov/jobs.
For more information contact [email protected] or call/text 559-960-8972.

Junior Lifeguard

Junior Lifeguards is a free program for ages 14 – 19 that runs July through early August and consists of 60-minute sessions Monday-Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  This course is a combination of instructional sessions conducted on the pool deck, and in the water. Classes will be offered at Mosqueda, Frank H. Ball, and Mary Ella Brown. Call (559)621-6718 or email [email protected] to sign up.

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons are available for individuals age 3 and up.

Free Recreational Swim

City of Fresno Pools:
No flotation devices, pool toys, and /or swim diapers.

Standard Pools:
Depth ranges from 4 to 10 ft. Participants must be a minimum of 3 years of age; at least 3 feet tall and potty trained. These pools are open daily during the summer for recreation swim.

Standard Pool Locations:

• Frank H. Ball Pool 760 Mayor St. (Ventura & A St)
• Mary Ella Brown Pool 1350 E. Annadale (Elm & Annadale)
• Mosqueda Pool 4670 E. Butler (Maple & Butler)

Learner Pools:

• Einstein Park – 3566 E. Dakota Ave. (On Dakota, between Millbrook & First)
• Fink White Park – 535 S. Trinity (Hwy 180 & Trinity)
• Pinedale Community Center – 7170 N. San Pablo (Herndon & San Pablo)
• Quigley Neighborhood Park – 808 W. Dakota (Fruit & Dakota)
• Romain Neighborhood Park – 745 N. First (First & Belmont)

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

Camp Fresno is a family-oriented facility located 62 miles east of Fresno in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Camp Fresno is a 35-acre site that has been operated by the City of Fresno since the 1920’s and has provided a retreat for thousands of campers. The wilderness camp facilities include 51 cabins equipped with electricity and running water. Camp Fresno cabins are available to rent to the public.

Additionally, the PARCS Department provides therapeutic recreation activities to the community with a focus on serving disadvantaged youth and young adults. Camp recreation includes activities such as hiking, fishing, art, career exploration/workforce development opportunities, and much more!

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The City of Fresno PARCS Department’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Community Engagement (ONSCE) provides collaborative efforts to minimize violence in the community, providing support for Fresno’s youth and families through partnerships and community services. ONSCE facilitates community-wide collaborative efforts to prevent and mitigate violence. This is achieved by providing support for Fresno’s youth and families through job readiness programs, training opportunities, tutoring, tattoo removal, hospital-based intervention programs, and street outreach. The Programming brings together over 100 local service providers to provide wrap-around resources for youth and young adults including: substance abuse intervention, anger management, mental health, education, food, housing, mentoring, health services, activities, and other basic life skill needs and services.

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The Highway City Community Science Center operates programming citywide. The Science Program includes hands-on workshops and monthly teen science nights at Highway City, mobile science workshops at over 10 community centers, family science events, and much more! The focus of the program is to foster the love of science and engage the youth in learning opportunities. The best practice of learning science is to be emerged in it which is why the program has over 50 hands-on exhibits for the community to explore and observe.  The program provides Next Generation Science Standard lesson plans to educate and enhance participants knowledge of life science, physics, chemistry, engineering, and technology.

Located at Highway City Community Science Center
5140 N. State St Fresno, CA 93722
Tuesday – Friday 2:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Saturday 11:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Additionally, the Science Program takes the discovery of learning to a whole new level through the Mobile Science Unit. This unit is a 45ft long science lab on wheels offering over 30 exhibits that spark the interest and imagination of its guests. The Mobile Science Unit supports knowledge growth in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering. And Mathematics (STEAM).

For Mobile Science Unit Reservations please call 559-621-2945

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The Senior Recreation Program provides specialized activities tailored to the unique needs and interests of Fresno’s senior population. Senior programming aims to improve quality of life in a safe and enjoyable environment through recreation and community-building.

Monday- Friday 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. at 8 locations.
The Link @ Blackstone: Monday-Saturday 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

Programing for seniors includes informational workshops, crafts, ceramics, exercise, billiards, and the opportunity to connect with other seniors in the area. 

Program sites:

• Inspiration (5570 W. Gettysburg Fresno, CA. 93723)
• Lafayette (1516 E. Princeton Ave. Fresno, CA. 93704)
• Mary Ella Brown (1350 E. Annadale Ave. Fresno, CA. 93706)
• Mosqueda (4670 E. Butler Ave. Fresno, CA. 93702)
• Pinedale (7170 N. San Pablo Ave. Fresno, CA. 93650)
• Senior Citizen’s Village (1917 S. Chestnut Ave. Fresno, CA. 93702)
• Ted C. Wills (770 N. San Pablo Ave. Fresno, CA. 93728)
• The Link @ Blackstone (1525 N. Blackstone Ave. Fresno, CA. 93703)

Senior Hot Meals

• Meals are free to anyone 60 years and older.
• Anyone under 60 can buy a meal for $5.50.
• Must Complete an FMAAA registration form in order to reserve a meal.
• Meals are on a reservation system.
• Must make reservation at the senior site of your choice in person or over the phone by 11:00 A.M. one day prior to the day you want to eat.
• Serving times vary at each location.
• Meals are served for 30 minutes after the start of the serving time.

For general question please call 559-621-6727.

Meals are served Monday through Friday at the following locations:

• Lafayette, serving time 11:30 A.M., 559-621-2934
• Inspiration, serving time 11:15 A.M., 559-691-1058
• Mary Ella Brown, serving time 11:30 A.M., 559-497-1326
• Mosqueda, serving time 11:15 A.M., 559-417-2341
• Pinedale, serving time 11:30 A.M., 559-974-6720
• Ted C. Wills, serving time 11:15 A.M., 559-621-6742

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

Sports, Play, Active Recreation, for Kids (SPARK) is a program facilitated by PARCS employees at up to 29 Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) school sites. Employees supporting this program play an integral role in FUSD after school programing throughout the school year. While on-site, PARCS staff focus on the importance of health and fitness education by implementing FUSD approved curriculum. SPARK incorporates a wide variety of physical activities to achieve all-around fitness and movement skills.

To compliment fitness education and round-out this enriching program, PARCS staff also integrates age-appropriate nutrition literacy for children that is designed to promote positive behavior change by teaching the importance of healthy eating.

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The City of Fresno PARCS Youth Employment Program (YEP) provides youth mentorship in an environment focused on employment readiness and life skill building. Youth increase their understanding of accountability while they earn a paycheck and provide a positive and meaningful public service for their community. Youth participate in a 7-week summer employment development program that includes functions such as light custodial, activity monitoring, park upkeep, summer camp support, and much more. Participants are hired as City of Fresno PARCS employees and a earn a paycheck by supporting existing staff. Participants also attend paid employment training workshops that are aligned with youth development principles and infused with life skill education.

The Youth Employment Program aims to target distinct soft skills vital to employment success:

• Social Skills
• Communication Skills
• Higher-order Thinking Skills
• Self-control
• Positive Self-concept

Workshop topics:

• Core Values & Goal Setting
• Learning Styles: Strengths & Weaknesses
• Communication & Problem Solving in the Workplace
• Time Management & Work/Life Balance
• Taking Initiative & Being Productive
• Career Paths, Resumes, & Interviewing Techniques
• Program Review

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529

The Youth Sports Program provides opportunities for youth, ages three to fifteen, to participate in recreational programs. Youth Sports provides a supportive and safe environment for youth while bringing the community closer together to create lasting memories. Through the program, participants engage in and develop skills in teamwork, socialization, problem solving, and many other life skills. Participants also experience physical improvements in hand eye coordination, balance, and endurance.

Programs include:

• Bitty Basketball (Ages 3-4 and 5-6)
• Bitty T-ball (Ages 3-4 and 5-6)
• Bitty Soccer (Ages 3-4 and 5-6)
• Junior Basketball (Ages 7-9, 10-12 and 13-15)
• Junior Flag Football (Ages 7-9, 10-12 and 13-15)
• Fitness Camp (Ages 7-9, 10-12 and 13-15)

To apply to for a Youth Fee Waiver, click the below link.
Youth Fee Waiver Information and Application

For more information on programs and services please contact the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529