
***Sugar Sand Park Community Center is open Monday-Friday from 9am-8pm, and Saturday & Sunday from 9am-4pm for walk-in permit sales and customer service questions.
2020-2021 Beach, Boat, & Dog Permits are available NOW for purchase at City Community Centers. City beach, boat, and dog park/beach permit-holders are still encouraged to renew permits online. Facial coverings are required in all City facilities.
The Science Playground, Splash Pad, walking paths & outdoor basketball courts at Sugar Sand Park are open for public use. Athletic fields are open for individualized or family use only.
Please remember to practice #ResponsibleRecreation, and continue to utilize hand sanitizer, wear face masks, and keep physically distant while visiting our parks and facilities.
Please be advised that the Children's Science Explorium, Willow Theatre, Carousel, and Field House are currently closed.
Pavilions are not being rented at this time. They are available on a first-come first-serve basis, for ten people or less. Decorations are not permitted.***
Early Afternoon Explorers is BACK!
To accommodate for Covid-19 restrictions, we will be using the virtual platform GoTo Meetings to provide you with with hands-on activities and immersive learning experiences, all from the comfort of your own home! Please make sure to use a desktop computer or laptop.
These monthly, hour-long classes for home-schoolers offer explorers a chance to participate in fun and educational science programs, focusing on a different topic each month.
Classes are one hour long, and divided into age groups. The first expedition takes fledgling explorers (ages 6 to 9) on an engaging and interactive adventure of the basic scientific principles. More in-depth exploration is at hand for the more experienced trail-blazers (ages 10 to 12), in the second hour of the program.
Cost: Resident $10; Non-resident $12.50
Registration Information:
Click here to learn about online registration.
After registering, a meeting link will be emailed to you. Make sure a current email address is on file with your Webtrac account.
Due to the nature of this program, we will not be able to accommodate same-day registrations. Please register at least one day in advance.
Pick up for program supplies will begin one week prior to the date of the program, and will end the day before the program.


FEBRUARY: SPACE & STARS
Explore the planets in our solar system and the arrangement of the stars visible from Earth! Learn the concept of a constellation, and a few of the Greek myths associated with them.
Date, Times & Ages:
Mon, Feb 8 1:00pm Ages 6-9 (Activity No. 213807 A3)
Mon, Feb 8 2:00pm Ages 10-12 (Activity No. 213807 A4)
Standards Met
SC.K.E.5.1- Explore the Law of Gravity by investigating how objects are pulled toward the ground
SC.K.E.5.4- Observe that sometimes the Moon can be seen at night and sometimes during the day.
SC.K.E.5.6- Observe that some objects are far away and some are nearby as seen from the Earth
SC.1.E.5.1- Observe and discuss that there are more stars in the sky than anyone can count
SC.1.E.5.2- Explore the Law of Gravity
SC.3.E.5.1- Explain that stars can be different
SC.3.E.5.2- Identify the sun as a star that emits energy
SC.3.E.5.3- Recognize that the sun appears large and bright because it is the closest star to Earth
SC.3.E.5.4- Explore the Law of Gravity by demonstrating that gravity is a force that can be overcome
SC.4.E.5.1- Observe that the patterns of stars in the sky stay the same although they appear to shift across the sky nightly
SC.4.E.5.3- Recognize that Earth revolves around the Sun in a year and rotates on its axis in a 24-hr day
SC.4.E.5.4- Relate that the rotation of Earth (day and night) and apparent movements of the Sun, Moon, and stars are connected
SC.5.E.5.1- Recognize that a galaxy consists of gas, dust, and many stars; identify our home galaxy as the Milky Way
SC.5.E.5.2- Recognize the major common characteristics of all planets and compare/contrast the properties of inner and outer planets
MARCH: LUNGS IN A BOTTLE
Investigate the importance of your respiratory system. We'll create a model of the lungs and learn how air pressure helps us breathe!
Date, Times & Ages:
Mon, Mar 8 1:00pm Ages 6-9 (Activity No. 213807 A5) Create a model
Mon, Mar 8 2:00pm Ages 10-12 (Activity No. 213807 A6)
Standards Met
SC.2.L.14.1- Distinguish human body parts and their basic functions
SC.5.L.14.1- Identify the organs in the human body and describe their function
SC.6.L.14.2- Investigate and explain the components of the scientific theory of cells
SC.6.L.14.5- Identify and investigate the general functions of the major systems of the human body