Posts by Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator

As College Station grows, a new 130-acre destination park on Rock Prairie Road is taking a different approach. Instead of clearing the landscape to fit a blueprint, Texas Independence Park at Midtown is built around the land itself. Construction on the regional outdoor recreation destination is underway and is expected to take about 18 months, with a potential opening in the spring or summer of 2028.

Whether a youngster is learning to dribble, working on their jump shot or eager to put their skills into action, the College Station Parks and Recreation Department’s Winter Youth Basketball League for new and developing players ages 6-13 is a terrific place to learn and play. Registration is underway through Nov. 29.

“Hold on to your butts!” Something prehistoric is headed to the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater! College Station Parks and Recreation invites you to experience “Jurassic Park” (1993, PG-13) on a 32-foot inflatable screen Friday, Nov. 6. Admission is free, and gates open at 5 p.m. with a costume contest, movie-themed trivia and activities leading up to the movie at 7:30 p.m.

Pack the tent, grab your flashlights and make memories under the stars at Lick Creek Park in the Dark. College Station Parks and Recreation invites families and friends to an overnight camping adventure close to home on Friday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 13, at the Gary Halter Nature Center. The campout runs from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

Celebrate Texas trees with College Station Parks and Recreation and the Texas A&M Forest Service at Trunk or Tree-t on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Wolf Pen Creek Festival Site. The free, family-friendly event combines Halloween fun with an appreciation for the trees that make our communities healthier and greener. Take home a free tree seedling while supplies last.

Wear your best Halloween costume and get ready for an afternoon of food, music, dancing and fall fun as College Station Parks and Recreation’s Senior Autumn Fest returns on Thursday, Oct. 22. The free, festive celebration for adults ages 55 and older is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. Registration is not required.

College Station Parks and Recreation's Haunted Hike returns for its third year on Friday from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Gary Halter Nature Center. The come-and-go event for ages 13 and older features guided cryptid hikes, creepy crawlers, crafts, games, spooky s’mores and more. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Kick off Halloween fun at the Lincoln Recreation Center on Thursday with College Station Parks and Recreation’s free Annual Fall Fest and Haunted House. Bring the whole family for an evening of candy, games, costumes, and plenty of spooky fun. The Halloween festival runs from 5:30–8 p.m. and features a haunted house, carnival games, candy booths, a costume contest and more. 

Ready to get creative? Pick up a paintbrush and spend an evening creating, connecting and celebrating strength at the Creative Expression Through Art: Color Me Beautiful Paint Party on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lincoln Recreation Center. The event, for ages 18 and older, celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a supportive, uplifting evening of creativity. 

The results are in, and the Brazos Valley made a big impact during last spring's City Nature Challenge! For four days in late April, residents and nature enthusiasts across Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Madison and Robertson counties documented plants, animals and fungi as part of the worldwide community science event.