Parks Recreation & Cultural Affairs
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs maintains a variety of activities that enhance the quality of life in the Gainesville community.
Our vision is to be seen as the keepers and hosts of the places where nature, recreation and culture meet, offering memorable experiences for all. With the mission to provide and maintain the natural, recreational and cultural facilities and programs that make Gainesville a great place to live, work and visit; and that help sustain the City economically, socially and environmentally. Our goal is to make each experience in our parks and facilities as enjoyable as possible so that visitors will come back again and again.
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department manages over 3,200 acres of parkland with numerous cultural, recreational, and natural areas and facilities. In October of 2013, the Department became one of 119 agencies in the country to be fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.
There is no fee to visit most of the City’s recreation and nature parks from Dawn to Dusk each day. Some of the parks are gated and have different hours of operations. Please visit the Find a Park or Facility page for complete details.
The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department strives to assist all residents discover the recreational, natural, and cultural facilities that make Gainesville a great place to live, work and visit. The Department complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The Department makes reasonable accommodations in all programs to enable participation by an individual with a disability who meets essential eligibility requirements. If any accommodations are necessary for participation in a program or service, participants are encouraged to notify staff at least one week prior to program commencement.
List of Special Events: Click here
List of Arts & Culture: Click Here