The kids have been in camps all summer, playing outside with friends in the sunshine, and frolicking away their vacation while you are stuck inside offices and behind counters. Don’t stare longingly out the window at the sunshine-laden sky and simply dream. You can get outside and play too! Not sure what to do? Look no further than St. Johns County Parks and Recreation. This department offers many team sports – for adults only!
The Parks and Recreation division of the St. Johns County government has been offering organized team sports for adults for over a decade. While continuing to offer a variety programs each year, Willie Cooper, Adult Activities Coordinator, says enrollment numbers fluctuate based on several factors. When the economic climate is negative, residents often dispense with joining sports teams to curtail spending. Another reason for a decline in enrollment numbers is tied to the rapid housing development boom. Newer neighborhoods often center around recreational facilities and will frequently form their own recreational leagues. In spite of these challenges, Willie states the department remains committed to continually offering as many sports as possible for the residents of the county.
If beach volleyball is your passion, summer and fall leagues are played at the St. Johns County Pier Park. If you believe you have what it takes to be in the NBA but just need to brush up on your ball-handling skills, consider joining the 30+ Men’s Adult Basketball League. And if the NFL is your league of choice, try your hand at flag football. And that’s not all. Choose from softball (men’s, coed, senior leagues are available), indoor volleyball, or that unique sport of Pickleball.
Enrollment periods for fall leagues start in August and will run through September with leagues starting up in late September/early October. The online registration is safe, simple and quick. Even if you don’t have enough friends to create a team, the Parks and Recreation department will help complete your team or assign you to one in need of additional members, so you needn’t worry about forming a league of your own.Then keep updated on current Parks and Recreation happenings by following the department on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also sign up for a monthly E-newsletter which provides additional information about future programs, special events and open facility use times.
Stand up. Walk outside into the sunshine and get involved in a team sport. But don’t delay –some sports fill up quickly! Who says the kids get to have all the fun?
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.sjcfl.us/recreation/parks/Leagues.
