City Services

Parks and Recreation Department

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Chuck Dellinger

Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

P.O. Box 1748
Gastonia, NC 28053
Phone: (704)866-6839
Fax: (704)842-5104
Recreation

Our Mission

The Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department seeks to meet the needs of all residents of Gastonia through opportunities designed for the worthy use of leisure time. Programs are planned by professional recreation personnel to meet family and neighborhood interests and needs, as suitable facilities, adequate equipment and qualified leadership are available.

Recreation Advisory Commission

COUNCIL MEMBER Dave Kirlin, Chairman

WARD I Mark Fagala

WARD II Charles Meakin

WARD III Kay Withers

WARD IV Ken Friday

WARD V Stacey Adkins

WARD VI Philip Cherry

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Eddie Shaw

The Recreation Advisory Commission serves as an advisory board on issues pertaining to the operation of the Recreation Department. One member is appointed by the council from each of the city's six wards, and one member-at-large is nominated by the mayor and appointed by the council. The eighth member, also appointed by the council, is a member of the council. The commission meets quarterly at City Hall, and meetings are open to the public. To contact your Ward’s RAC member, e-mail the Recreation Department at the following link. Please state the recipient’s name in the subject line, and your inquiry will be forwarded. email recreation

Community Recreation Centers

Community Centers provide a combination of gymnasiums, game rooms and activity rooms. The City of Gastonia Recreation Department personnel organize and offer sports and activities for all ages. These facilities are for use by the general public. During the summer months, community centers are open for extended hours and offer organized activities during the day for school-age youth.

Picnic shelters, ball parks and community centers my be rented by families, churches, companies or other groups for a variety of social and business functions.

Please visit our individual community center pages or Map of Facilities for the location of the center nearest you.

Organized Programs

This division responds to the day-to-day needs of the community for year-round instructional classes for persons of all ages, male and female. Nominal fees are charged for all classes. Special citywide seasonal events and youth activities are also provided.

To see a list of all classes offered, please click here.

Special Events

Seasonal events and programs are held periodically at parks and community centers. Announcements are carried by the area newspapers, government cable Channel 16 and radio stations.

To see announcements of special events, please click here.

To see photographs from special events, please click here.

Athletics

The Athletic Division operates eight major sports programs annually for men, women and youth.

For more information on the Athletic Division, please click here.

Parks/Play Areas

Parks are located throughout Gastonia. They are open 8 am - 11 pm, seven days a week and offer opportunities for a variety of active and passive recreational pursuits. Many provide tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, softball and baseball fields, tot play apparatus, and picnic areas.