Department of Parks & Recreation
Parks, Trails & Programs for Every Resident
We keep the trails mowed, the pools open, the diamonds chalked, and the camps staffed. Find what you need below β or jump straight to registration.
Pools & Swim Lessons
Everything about our 8 aquatic centers β hours, lessons, and lane availability.
All eight Greenspace aquatic centers offer Red Crossβcertified swim lessons for ages 6 months through adult. Group lessons run in two-week sessions throughout June, July, and August, with early morning and late afternoon slots available. The closest center to most residential neighborhoods is Riverside Aquatic Center at 1200 Riverside Pkwy, which has dedicated learn-to-swim lanes separate from the lap pool. Registration opens May 1 at 8 a.m. online β spots fill within the first 48 hours, so setting a reminder is worth it.
Outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend and close Labor Day. General public hours are MondayβFriday 6 a.m.β8 p.m. and SaturdayβSunday 8 a.m.β6 p.m. Lap swim hours (dedicated lanes, adult-only) run 6β8 a.m. and 7β8 p.m. on weekdays. Indoor pools at Northside and Southgate Recreation Centers are open year-round. Hours may vary on city holidays β check the program calendar for confirmed closures.
Greenspace offers Red Cross Lifeguard Certification courses for applicants 15 and older. The 26-hour course covers water rescue, CPR/AED, and first aid. Spring certification courses run in April and May; summer courses are available through early June. Certified lifeguards who pass our hiring process receive priority scheduling and a starting wage of $16.50/hour. The full schedule and enrollment link are in the portal under "Aquatics Employment."
Yes. The Greenspace Access Program provides 50β100% fee waivers for qualifying families based on household income. Applications are processed within five business days. Approved participants receive a program card accepted at all aquatic centers, recreation centers, and camp registration. Apply through the portal under "Access Program" or pick up a paper form at any recreation center front desk.
Ready to register or learn more?
Browse all aquatics programs, dates, and availability in the portal.
Trails, Greenways & Parks
112 miles of maintained trails across 47 parks β here's what you need to know before you go.
Dogs are welcome on all 112 miles of the Greenspace trail network, provided they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs must be current on rabies vaccination; tags should be visible on the collar. Seven designated off-leash areas exist within the park system β the largest is Millcreek Dog Park at Eastfield Park, which features separate fenced areas for dogs under 25 lbs and over 25 lbs, water stations, and shade structures. Dogs are not permitted inside aquatic facilities, playground structures, or the Botanical Conservatory.
Fourteen miles of the Riverwalk Greenway are lit and designated for use until 11 p.m. All other trails follow park hours: sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Trail lighting hours are posted at each trailhead kiosk. If you plan to run or bike in low-light conditions, a headlamp or reflective gear is required under city ordinance. The full lit-trail map is available in the portal under "Trail Finder."
Maintenance responsibility depends on whether the land is city-owned park property or a private HOA easement. Greenspace manages all land shown on the City Park Inventory map (available in the portal under "Park Boundaries"). If the detention pond behind your subdivision is on that map, submit a maintenance request through the portal and our grounds crew will respond within 10 business days. If it's HOA-managed, your HOA documents will specify the responsible party β your city council representative's office can help clarify jurisdiction if needed.
Greenspace has 23 miles of paved, ADA-accessible trail surfaces suitable for wheelchairs and mobility devices. The Lakeview Loop (3.2 miles), Millcreek Connector (1.8 miles), and Riverfront Promenade (4.1 miles) are fully paved with grade-compliant slopes. Accessible parking is available at all 47 park trailheads. Adaptive recreation programs β including handcycle rentals and guided accessible hikes β are scheduled monthly through the Recreation Division.
Ready to register or learn more?
Browse all trails & parks programs, dates, and availability in the portal.
Pavilions, Fields & Facilities
Reserve a shelter, chalk a diamond, or book a rec center room β here's how it works.
Greenspace operates 34 reservable picnic shelters across the park system, ranging from small 20-person structures to the 200-person Centennial Pavilion at Riverside Park. Reservations open January 2 for the full calendar year. Fees range from $35 for a half-day small shelter to $175 for a full-day large pavilion. To reserve: log into the portal, select "Facility Reservations," choose your park and date, and pay online. A confirmation email with your permit number arrives within minutes. Permits must be printed or shown on your phone at the shelter.
Athletic field reservations are available for leagues, tournaments, and casual games. Diamond reservations cost $20/hour for city residents and $35/hour for non-residents. Chalk, bases, and drag equipment are available at the parks office for a $10 deposit. Lights at lighted diamonds are an additional $15/hour. League coordinators (5+ game commitments) receive a 15% discount and priority scheduling access. Reserve through the portal under "Athletic Fields." Weekend diamond availability in spring goes quickly β submit requests at least two weeks in advance.
All six Greenspace recreation centers have meeting rooms and multi-purpose spaces available for private rental. Room capacities range from 15 to 120 people. Rates are $25β$90/hour depending on room size and day of week. Catering is permitted; alcohol requires a one-day special event permit from the city clerk's office (we can provide the application). Reservations require a 50% deposit at booking and full payment 14 days before the event. Cancellations made 7+ days out receive a full refund; less than 7 days receives a credit toward a future booking.
Ready to register or learn more?
Browse all reservations programs, dates, and availability in the portal.
Summer Camp & Youth Sports
3,200 camp spots, 14 youth leagues β the programs that fill up first every spring.
Greenspace Summer Camp runs 8 weeks from mid-June through mid-August at 12 locations across the city. Camp is open to children ages 5β12. Registration opens March 15 in the portal. Last year's 3,200 spots filled within 10 days, so early registration matters. Weekly fees are $185 for city residents and $230 for non-residents, with the Access Program covering fees for qualifying families. Extended care (7β9 a.m. and 4β6 p.m.) is available for $45/week. Each camp week has a theme, and specialty tracks β STEM, arts, and outdoor adventure β run at select locations.
Greenspace coordinates 14 youth leagues across six sports: soccer (ages 4β14), basketball (ages 6β14), baseball and softball (ages 6β16), flag football (ages 6β12), and tennis (ages 7β16). Leagues are organized by age group and skill level. Registration for spring leagues opens February 1; fall leagues open July 15. Fees range from $55 to $85 per season depending on sport and age group. Equipment is provided for most sports. All coaches are background-checked volunteers; coaching applications open each January.
Every sport Greenspace offers has a developmental division for first-time players. The "First Steps" soccer and basketball programs for ages 4β6 are non-competitive, focusing on basic skills and fun in a structured setting. For older beginners (ages 7β12), "Rookie Division" leagues use modified rules, smaller fields, and coach-pitch formats where applicable. Coaches in developmental divisions receive additional training in positive youth development. No tryouts, no cuts β every registered child is placed on a team.
Volunteer coaches are the backbone of every Greenspace youth league. Coaching applications open each January in the portal under "Volunteer Opportunities." All coaches must complete a background check, attend a two-hour orientation, and complete the SafeSport online training (free, takes about 90 minutes). Coaches are matched to teams in their preferred sport and age group. Greenspace provides a coach's handbook, practice plan templates, and access to equipment. Time commitment is typically two practices and one game per week for an 8β10 week season.
Ready to register or learn more?
Browse all youth programs programs, dates, and availability in the portal.