Parks & Recreation

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.

In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Parks and Recreation Activities Assistant Patrick Lewis spotlights family-friendly outdoor activities at the Gary Halter Nature Center and Lick Creek Park, including free wildflower seed giveaways, camping, and a beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

Kids can get their hands dirty while discovering how mud connects to plants, animals, soil and the environment around them at Mud Day! The free, family-friendly, come-and-go event is Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8-11 a.m. at the Gary Halter Nature Center.

The College Station Parks and Recreation Department invites you to tell us what you want to experience at future Starlight Music Series events — from genres (country, rock, jazz, pop, R&B, and more) to performers, activities, and event schedules. Take the brief survey today!

The 2026 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation’s Summer Games of Texas brought more than 7,584 athletes from across the state to College Station and Bryan from July 30-Aug. 2, injecting an estimated $8.1 million into the local economy. The Olympic-style festival featured 10 sports at venues across both cities and the Texas A&M campus.

What does staying active and connected look like after 55? In honor of National Senior Citizens Day on Aug. 21, discover the many ways College Station Parks and Recreation helps older adults get moving, try something new, make friends and have fun — from fitness and games to creative activities, social programs and a free Bingo Bash.

In this week’s episode of “What’s Up, College Station?,” the Gary Halter Nature Center’s Laurie Brown highlights College Station’s designation as one of 16 Bird Cities in Texas. She also explains how staff played bird calls and lit up trees to lure roughly 25,000 migrating purple martins away from dangerous urban spots to safer roosting areas in John Crompton Park.

The Parks and Recreation Department’s After-School Program offers local youth a safe, engaging, and supportive environment to stay active, complete homework, and build lasting friendships. Located at the Lincoln Recreation Center, the program serves children ages 6–15 throughout the school year.

In case you missed it: At its July 9 meeting, the College Station City Council heard the biannual update from Parks and Recreation Director Kelsey Heiden about the department’s recent achievements, vital statistics, and major milestones.

Every summer, a spectacular natural phenomenon unfolds right in our backyard. Tens of thousands of purple martins gather in College Station, preparing for their remarkable journey across the globe to South America. You can witness this breathtaking event firsthand at the free Purple Martin Watch Party on Wednesday, July 22, from 7-9 p.m.