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Parks and Recreation

Background:

The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation offers a well-rounded yearly program of leisure time activities for children, young adults, and senior citizens of the Franklin area. The athletic section offers sports programs and organized leagues for youth and adults for softball/baseball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. 

Parks & Facilities:

The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation operates and manages eleven  recreational areas, which includes facilities and parks, for indoor as well as outdoor activities. Whether you’re planning a wedding, family reunion, or a softball tournament, the Franklin Parks & Recreation has a facility  for your use or rent. Persons or organizations interested in reserving a park or facility can pick up an application at the main office of the department or fill out the application under Forms and Documents. 

  • Armory Drive Recreational Park
    • Offers facilities for organized sports programs for football, soccer, hard & softball, recreational play, tennis courts, swimming pool, a tot lot playground and picnic tables. This facility serves as the home playing field for the Franklin High School Broncos for football, baseball and soccer.
  • Barrett's Landing Park
    • Undoubtedly one of the most popular and diverse of the Franklin parks is Barrett’s Landing. Barrett’s Landing is located in walking distance from downtown Franklin. A large gazebo sits on top of the hill overlooking a scenic view of the Blackwater River. The park has a wharf and a foot bridge around parts of the water edge of the park. This park can be used for concerts, family outings, picnics, weddings or for just sitting on one of the many park benches and enjoying the peace and quietness of the park. Barrett’s Landing is also the ideal fishing spot in the City of Franklin.
  • Bruce Street Park
    • Recreational area which includes a basketball court, climber play set, softball field and a covered shelter.
  • College Drive Park
    • Youth oriented playground which includes two basketball courts, a tot lot play area, open space, skating rink and picnic tables.
  • Hayden Sports Complex
    • A Multi-purpose field that can be used for soft/hard ball, football and soccer. The complex also includes three practice fields for youth baseball.
  • Memorial Park
    • Open outdoor park mainly used for individual family outings, walkers and joggers. Picnic tables and benches are available.
  • High Street Park
    • A small neighborhood park that can be used for family outings, small group picnics and readers. Benches are available.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
    • A community based recreation center where children, adults and senior citizens attend that offers programs as arts & crafts, fitness, sports, life skills enrichment or family activities. The center consists of a large multi-purpose room that is used for diverse activities as table games, ping pong and video games to name a few. The center also has a pool room, fellowship hall and additional rooms for community organization to hold meetings. The outside area has two basketball courts and a play area.
  • Riverwalk Park - More Information to Come 
  • Blackwater Park- Relax and Refresh at Blackwater Park in the City of Franklin, Virginia. Blackwater Park is a 200-acre park which features a 800-foot boardwalk, two miles of trails, and the construction of parking, roads, a pavilion, and kiosk. Blackwater Park gives patrons the opportunity to observe wildlife and learn from the educational signage. Blackwater Park is home to some of the oldest trees reaching over 155 feet tall. 

Measurements:
Board Walk - 800 Feet Long and links to Turkey Island Loop
Turkey Island Loop (Closed April 7th - May 18th) - 3/8 of a Mile
Ridge Trail - 1.5 Mile Round Trip 
 

FDPR 2024 Athletics Information:

 

 Adult Co-Ed Softball:

The City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Department is offering an Adult Co-Ed Softball League that will take place in May/June of 2024. You must be 18 or older to participate. There must be 5 men and 5 women on the field at all times with a maximum roster of 20. The league games will be held on the baseball field at Armory Park Athletic Complex. There is a team registration and an individual registration option. If you would like to register a full team, the registration fee will be due prior to the start of the first game. Individual registration can be completed either online or in person. You can register electronically at www.franklinva.com by selecting the “Online Payments” tab followed by clicking the “Franklin Department of Parks and Recreation Online Payment” link at the bottom. We also accept in person registrations at the Martin Luther King Center located at 683 Oak Street Franklin, VA 23851. For more information and questions please contact Athletic Programs Specialist Tory Myrick Jr. at (757) 647-9565.

Youth Soccer:

The City of Franklin Parks & Recreation Department is offering a Youth Soccer League that will take place in June/July of 2024. Participation age range is 4 to 14 years old. The location of the league is TBA. You can register electronically at www.camp25.org. For more information and questions please contact Athletic Programs Specialist Tory Myrick Jr. at (757) 647-9565 or Camp25 director Eric Benton at (757) 653-1667.

 Youth T-Ball:

The City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Youth T-Ball League that will take place in September/October of 2024. Participation age range is 4 to 6 years old. Practices will be held on Wednesday evenings with games on Sunday afternoons. The league will take place on the softball field at the Armory Park Athletic Complex. Uniforms and some equipment will be provided. You can register electronically at www.franklinva.com by selecting the “Online Payments” tab followed by clicking the “Franklin Department of Parks and Recreation Online Payment” link at the bottom. We also accept in person registrations at the Martin Luther King Center located at 683 Oak Street Franklin, VA 23851. For more information and questions please contact Athletic Programs Specialist Tory Myrick Jr. at (757) 647-9565.

 Youth Volleyball:

The City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Youth Volleyball League in partnership with CAMP25 that will take place in October/November of 2024. Participation age range is 6 to 14 years old. The location of the league is TBA.  You can register electronically at www.camp25.org. For more information and questions please contact Athletic Programs Specialist Tory Myrick Jr. at (757) 647-9565 or CAMP25 director Eric Benton at (757) 653-1667.

Youth Basketball/Cheer:

The City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Youth Basketball League & Cheer in partnership with CAMP25 that will take place in January/Feburary of 2025. Participation age range is 4 to 14 years old. The location of the league is the J.P. King Middle School Gymnasium.  You can register electronically at www.camp25.org. For more information and questions please contact Athletic Programs Specialist Tory Myrick Jr. at (757) 647-9565 or CAMP25 director Eric Benton at (757) 653-1667.

 Hours of Operation 8:30 AM to 7:30PM PM Monday-Thursday

8:30 AM to 6:00 PM Friday