FY 2015-2016 Accomplishments

• The Parks and Recreation Department partnered with youth athletic organizations across Escambia County that offered athletic options at many Escambia County athletic parks. Over 7,000 youth competed in sports ranging from baseball, tee-ball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse, and cheerleading.
• Youth sports tournaments were hosted at Escambia County athletic venues that created positive economic impact for the community. Major events were held at the Southwest Sports Complex, Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex, and John R Jones Park in various sports throughout the year.
• The Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex played home to the NCAA Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships in December of 2015. This marked the third time this prestigious event has been conducted at the Brosnaham stadium field, with the event drawing players, parents and university officials from across the country.
• One-hundred forty-six adult softball and soccer teams competed in local leagues conducted or managed by the Parks and Recreation Department with many weekend softball events staged at the John R Jones Park adult softball fields.
• The Parks and Recreation Department teamed up and assisted in the management of 10 community centers to provide events, event space, activities, or programming in these respective county facilities.
• The Escambia County Equestrian Center hosted 12 new events to the facility, with a total of 56 events over the year, which generated over 18 million dollars of local economic impact.
• Events at the Equestrian Center comprised of horse shows, rodeos, dog shows, musical events, 5-K runs, and off-road bike events, all of which demonstrated the diversity for use of this county facility.
• Lincoln Park received major upgrades inclusive of a new basketball court, perimeter fencing, outdoor exercise equipment, and youth climbing wall.
• A volleyball court was added to the Old Ensley School Park, along with outdoor exercise equipment, with plans underway for the additions of a walking track and basketball court.
• New park pavilions were added at Carver Park in Cantonment, along with Civitan Park in Warrington.
• A new walking track was constructed at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
• The walking track at Aviation Park, adjacent to the Dorrie Miller Community Center, was entirely resurfaced.
• The Parks Department teamed with the Marine Resources Division and other county departments on the opening of the “Wilson B. Roberson” boat ramp located at 11860 Mobile Highway on the Perdido River. The Parks Department continued to partner with marine resources on various aspects of maintenance including dock repairs and shoreline restoration.
• The Parks and Recreation Department continued to allocate a two-person crew primarily focused on ADA compliance and equipment safety in the county inventory of parks.
• After the tornado in 2016, Regency Park suffered extensive damage, but after dedicated and focused work, the park was reopened only 2 weeks after the event, as the department felt it very important to re-open this park near the heart of the destruction in order to provide kids within this neighborhood a safe place to play and gather.
• In addition to general park maintenance, crews assisted the Water Quality and Land Management division in the maintenance at Glenn Key Boardwalk and Jones Swamp.
• The Parks and Recreation Department provided assistance on set up and logistics to the Neighborhood and Human Services Department on “Escambia Cares” and “Celebrating Brownsville”, both beneficial events to the residents of Escambia County.

Youth and Adult Athletic Participation

• 7, 441 participants in youth athletics
  • 2,622 in baseball, softball, and t-ball
  • 1,219 in football and cheerleading
  • 3,550 in soccer

  • 50 in lacrosse

• 146 teams competed in adult athletic leagues
  • 50 softball teams in men’s, co-ed, and church league
  • 96 soccer teams in men’s and co-ed leagues

Equestrian Center Statistics

• 56 events this past year, including 12 new events
• Over $18 million in economic impact