The Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority said its mission is to “provide superior, affordable recreation services and facilities for all residents of Valdosta and Lowndes County.”

VLPRA offers community centers, boat ramps and several parks and facilities of varying sizes.

Community Centers

Craig Center: 1104 West Gordon St., Remerton, GA 31601

The Craig Center is a multipurpose facility located in the heart of Valdosta. It houses a therapeutics program and is the main center for all VLPRA special needs activities, including the Special Olympics and Young Adult Club. The Craig Center consists of a medium-sized great room, a full-size kitchen with a refrigerator, a storage room, bathrooms, and a fenced-in playground area with a large picnic shelter. The center and outdoor areas are available for rent.

Forrest Street Administration: 1901 North Forrest St. Valdosta, GA 31601

The Forrest Street Center is home to VLPRA’s administrative, youth athletics, and adult athletics offices. The center has a variety of spaces and rental facilities. The main building houses a beautiful sanctuary with a center aisle, an oak stage, and a sound system that is perfect for weddings. Receptions can be held in the same building in a spacious multipurpose room that offers a divider as well as tables and chairs. A full-size kitchen and bathrooms are located right down the hall. Across the parking lot, you will find the Forrest Street Gym. There is a heated and air-conditioned full size gym that is a great place for basketball, volleyball, dance classes, and general recreation. Both full-court and half-court basketball opportunities are available. Forrest Street Gym also contains a full-size kitchen and spacious restrooms.

Mildred Hunter Center: 509 South Fry St., Valdosta, GA 31601

The Mildred Hunter Community Center has a gym with a full-size basketball court and pull out bleachers for hosting games and tournaments. There is also a full-size kitchen, breakout rooms, a kid’s playroom, and an exercise room with plenty of cardio equipment and weights. An Outdoor pool with new patio furniture are situated next to Harrington Park. The MHCC is home to VLPRA’s basketball and youth football programs, as well as the R.C. Car Club, the Marching Pride Drill Team, and several teen mentoring groups.

Senior Center: 1360 East Park Ave., Valdosta, GA 31602

The Senior Center is a hugely popular facility that houses all VLPRA seniors programs. The center includes a large multipurpose room with a full kitchen. There is an exercise room with both cardio and weight training equipment, an indoor heated pool, library, walking track, shuffleboard court and comfortable seating in the foyer. There are several breakout rooms with billiards, cards, and arts and crafts.

South Lowndes Recreation Complex: 6440 Ocean Pond Ave., Lake Park, GA 31636

The South Lowndes is a community center and park in one. Outdoor amenities include two adult and two youth baseball/softball fields, a concession stand with a covered eating area, restrooms, water fountain, a full-size playground, and three soccer fields with a dedicated concession stand and restrooms. There is plenty of parking for tournaments and events, as well as two huge picnic shelters. The community center on the other side of the parking lot features a gymnasium with a full basketball court and two half-courts as well as several multipurpose rooms. The community center also houses a commercial kitchen, and plenty of tables and chairs for an event.

Wood Valley: 1907 Gornto Road, Valdosta, GA 31602

The Wood Valley Community Center can be reserved for small events and birthday parties.. The Center boasts a medium-sized multipurpose room with a stage. Wood Valley houses a full-size kitchen, storage, and tables and chairs.vOutside the community center is a playground with covered picnic shelter with restrooms, a grill, electricity, and water. There is a paved walking track as well.

To rent picnic shelters, fields, buildings, or even entire parks: Call 229-259-3507

Large Parks

Freedom Park: 3795 Guest Road, Valdosta, GA 31605

Freedom Park is a huge multipurpose facility with something for everyone The park’s 250-plus acres is located near Moody Air Force Base. The park features a large, beautifully maintained baseball/softball complex with eight regulation adult softball fields, bathrooms, a concession stand and a covered playground.

Park users will find:

– ten acres of soccer fields;

– paved walking track;

– 18-hole Disc Golf course;

– dog park for large and small breeds; and

– multipurpose field and ample amounts of open field space fill out the venue.

Freedom Park hosts the regional Spring Olympics each year, dozens of baseball and softball tournaments and disc golf tournaments. The sports fields, golf course and open areas are all available for rent for a large event.

John W. Saunders Memorial Park: 1151 River St., Valdosta, GA 31601

Saunders Memorial Park is an ideal space for large gatherings. The park houses six covered picnic shelters, the largest of which holds up to 150 people with more than a dozen picnic tables and has its own designated restrooms. Other shelters hold two picnic tables each. Every shelter features electricity and a designated grill and are available for rent. A paved walking and nature trail leads from the largest shelter through scenic shaded wooded area. The park also includes:

– two regulation-sized outdoor basketball courts;

– splash pad;

– playground;

– amphitheater complete with electricity and stage lights that can seat hundreds of people; and

– shelters, amphitheater, and basketball courts are all available for rent.

McKey Park (H.B.A. Tennis Center): 112 Burton Ave., Valdosta, GA 31602

McKey Park is in the middle of Valdosta on Patterson Street. It is home to the Harry B. Anderson Tennis Center.

The tennis center features 12 tennis courts used for lessons, clinics, and general tennis recreation. It also contains a tennis shelter, bleachers, bathrooms and water fountains as well as a pro shop which houses the tennis pro’s office.

In addition to the tennis complex, the park features:

– sand volleyball court;

– two large playgrounds which feature structures for older kids and swings for both toddlers and school-age children. Playgrounds shaded by a canopy of oaks and have a dedicated restroom and water fountains;

– a creek running between the playground areas, with the two sides connected by a wooden bridge;

– two large picnic pavilions each capable of accommodating 60 people. Both pavilions hold picnic tables and grills;

– green space: a grassy field is available to accommodate youth sports practices;

– park is adjacent to a lighted, paved walking track;

– tennis courts, volleyball court and picnic pavilions are all available for rent.

North Lowndes Park: Sonny Rodgers Memorial Drive, Hahira, GA 31632

North Lowndes Park boasts a wide variety of recreation opportunities including a multipurpose field large enough to play both baseball and football with backstop and dugouts. The park also includes:

– brightly colored playground featuring multiple slides and swings;

– picnic area;

– large concrete skate park featuring lit bowl structure with grind rails and ramps;

– large restroom building near skate park;

– a boardwalk winds around the field, making a natural loop where walkers can spot deer, raccoons and other wildlife;

– small pond and picnic tables;

– large amounts of open green space for general recreation; and

– fields and skate park can be reserved for practices, games, birthday parties or other special events.

Scott Park: 1101 Old Statenville Road, Valdosta, GA 31601

Scott Park is a 28-acre, amenity-packed facility that includes:

– a lighted paved walking track (3.8 laps make a mile) with painted lanes for runners or walkers;

– regulation-size football field with bleachers and lights;

– restrooms and water fountains are available;

– fenced-in park;

– four lighted, regulation outdoor basketball courts;

– three lighted regulation tennis courts;

– large lighted and covered stage with electricity;

– large open field with a baseball backstop for softball, baseball or general recreation; and

– two picnic shelters with electricity and water hook ups available for rent.

Vallotton Youth Complex: 700 Woodlawn Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602

The Vallotton Youth Complex is a 13-acre facility that hosts athletics nearly year-round and features:

– seven lighted, youth baseball fields;

– one full-size soccer field and two youth fields with lights;

– two concession stands;

– two sets of restrooms;

– playground; and

– picnic shelter

Small Parks

and Facilities

Chitty Park: 1474 Madison Heights Drive, Valdosta, GA 31601

Chitty Park covers almost seven acres and offers:

– a picturesque fishing pond surrounded by moss-laced cypress trees;

– bank fishing is available with plenty of bream and bass filling the water; and

– picnic tables and benches are available and can be reserved.

Clyattville Community Park: 4377 Old Clyattville Road, Clyattville, GA 31601

Clyattville Community Park is a seven-acre park with:

– huge green space for baseball, softball, soccer, football, Frisbee or general open recreation;

– field including backstop and dugouts;

– outdoor basketball court flanked by beautiful oak trees with charming Spanish Moss;

– a lighted, paved and shaded walking track that circles a playground;

– play structure featuring swings, climbers, slides and a bridge; and

– large pavilion outfitted with electricity, restrooms and picnic tables that can accommodate 50-60 people and is available for rent.

Drexel Park: 1401 N. Patterson Road, Valdosta, GA 31601

Drexel Park is one of VLPRA’s most used parks and is known for hosting the annual Azalea Festival.

The park is about 11 acres and offers ample shaded green space, located by Valdosta State University in the heart of Valdosta and features:

– a creek with a picturesque bridge and a large variety of indigenous plant life with tree species labeled throughout the park;

– bordered by Azalea City Multipurpose Trail;

– large play structure with bridges, monkey bars, and slides as well as the swing sets; and

– the park is outfitted with electricity and is available for rent.

Eastwind Park: 1904 Fawnridge Road, Valdosta , GA 31602

Eastwind Park includes:

– large playground for kids ages 5-12;

– swing sets;

– picnic table and a grill; and

– a table and grill available for rent through VLPRA.

Fellowship Park: 507 Wooding Lane, Valdosta , GA 31601

Fellowship Park is a small neighborhood park with playground with swings, slides, monkey bars and a picnic shelter available for rent.

Greer Park: 401 Marette Ave., Valdosta, GA

Greer Park is an active park perfect for sports and general play with an pen field with a baseball backstop, an outdoor basketball court, playground with swing sets, picnic shelter with electricity and restrooms available for rent.

Harrington Park: 509 South Fry St., Valdosta, GA 31601

Harrington Park is located next to the Mildred Hunter Community Center. It is a fenced in park with a large playground structure where kids can climb, swing and slide. It is located next to the Fry Street Pool, making it a great place to play in the summer.

Hightower Park: 1120 West Magnolia St., Valdosta, GA 31601

Hightower Park is a mostly wooded space with picnic tables, spacious a playground capable of holding 30 children at one time.

Jaycee Shack Facility: 2306 Jaycee Shack Road, Valdosta , GA 31602

The Jaycee Shack is a rentable facility and features a large multipurpose room with a full size kitchen and plenty of tables and chairs. There is a quaint pond out back and a covered picnic shelter that includes a large grill, power, water and lights for evening rentals.

Langdale Park: 3781 N. Valdosta Road, Valdosta, GA 31602

Langdale Park is 178 acres of rustic beauty on the lazy Withlacoochee River. The park features:

– miles of mountain bike trails zig zag through the South Georgia woods and wind around the lazy, picturesque river;

– nature viewing opportunities where you can spot deer, raccoons, opossums, and a variety of birds including birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, and owls;

– an array of indigenous plant life includes large oaks, poplars, river birch, pines, and sweet smelling wild honeysuckle and Carolina jasmine;

– a boat ramp with river access as well as picnic tables; and

– a picnic shelter that is available for rent.

Library Park: 742 Lakes Blvd., Lake Park, GA 61636

Lake Park Library Park is about 1.5 acres of play space, green space, shaded by a variety of oaks and located next to the Lake Park Library. The park offers a picnic shelter that can accommodate dozens of people and is available for rent and a new playground holds up to 30 kids.

Naylor Community Park: 6030 Savannah Ave., Naylor, GA 61641

Naylor Park is located at the east side of Lowndes County and is easily accessible from Highway 84. The fenced-in park is home to the Naylor Community Center Building. The park houses a slide, merry-go-round, see saw and a large play structure. There are grills and picnic tables and a unisex restroom are available. A large screened in picnic shelter with electricity holds up to 75 people.

Oris Blackburn Memorial Park: 5750 Madison Highway, Clyattville, GA 31601

Oris Blackburn Memorial Park spans more than 100 acres on Madison Highway south of Clyattville and features:

– bass and bream fill a large fishing pond surrounded by huge amounts of wooded serenity;

– boat ramp for jon boat access to the five-acre pond;

– ample open space for general recreation; and

– three large picnic shelters that hold up to 60 people each come equipped with grills and restroom access (each of them are available for rent).

Payton Park: 539 Griffin Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601

Payton Park spans nearly nine acres of land located next to the Southside Library and includes:

– a large fishing pond full of catfish, bream and bass;

– open space for general recreation;

– lighted, paved walking track;

– restrooms and several picnic tables and benches throughout; and

– the picnic shelter located within the park is an ideal space for family gatherings and is available for rent.

Riley-Ledford Park: 6030 Savannah Ave., Naylor, GA 61641

Riley-Ledford Park sits atop five acres near neighboring Naylor Community Park. The park includes two large picnic shelters (each hold 60-75 people), restrooms and grills, lighted and paved walking track, baseball backstop and open field ideal for pick up games or scheduled practices.

Taylor-Cowart Park: 2413 Bemiss Road, Valdosta, GA 31602

Taylor Cowart’s 2.44 acres rests under large shady oak and poplar trees. The park boasts a playground structure with separate swing set, gazebo and merry-go-round. There are several picnic tables within the park as well as a small picnic shelter that is available for rent.

Vallotton Big Field: 411 1/2 North Lee St., Valdosta, GA 31602

Vallottton Big Field is a 12.7-acres of open green space for general recreation that includes backstops for baseball or softball, a paved walking track and a swing set.

Pocket Parks

Bland Park: 2204 Park Lane, Valdosta, GA 31602.

Bland Park is one-acre of open green space and a picnic table.

Hyta’s Park: 1804 Jerry Jones Drive, Valdosta , GA 31602.

Hyta’s Park is a small landscaped green space featuring a sculpture by local artist Wilby Coleman, a sheltered gazebo and benches.

J.L. Lomax Park: 700 J.L. Lomax Drive, Valdosta, GA 31601

J.L. Lomax Park is fenced in and canopied by beautiful, historic oaks that provide ample shade on sunny days. The park includes newly renovated, colorful playground, an outdoor basketball court, picnic shelter with tables and a grill. The shelter and basketball court are available for rental through VLPRA.

Lovett Park: 3211 Lovett Ave., Valdosta, GA 31606

Lovett Park is an acre of green space that featuring a picnic table, benches, and a children’s seesaw. The picnic table is available for reservation through VLPRA.

Newbern Park: 2211 Newbern St., Valdosta, GA 31602.

Newbern Park is a half-acre neighborhood park with open space with a baseball backstop. It can be reserved for recreational youth or adult sports through VLPRA.

Olympic Park: 402 1/2 South Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31601

Olympic Park offers a shady three-quarters of an acre as a spot to relax with a heltered gazebo, water fountain, brightly colored play structure capable of holding 30 kids that includes slides and a tire swing. A picnic shelter includes electricity is available for rent.

Shannon Hill Memorial Park: 700 West Cranford Ave., Valdosta, GA 31602

Visitors will find a large playground, swing sets for both toddlers and older children, a merry-go-round, drinking fountain, picnic tables and a grill. The ark includes a separate half acre green space with a backstop for softball or baseball

Smith Park: 507 East Centeral Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601

Smith Park is an acre of green space that provides shade, greenery and tranquility in the middle of town.

Snake Nation Park: 6093 Bird Hall Road, Hahira, GA 31632

Snake Nation Park is a neighborhood park at the north end of Lowndes County. The park is fenced in with a play structure that invites kids to climb and slide. The picnic area capable of accommodating 25-30 people. The shelter is outfitted with electricity and is available for rent.

Tom’s Corner Park: 1005 Troupe St., Valdosta, GA 31601

Tom’s Corner Park is an eighth of an acre fenced-in park with two heavily shaded playgrounds and a picnic shelter available for rent which can accommodate 20 people and features electricity.

Boat Ramps

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp: Knights Ferry Road, Valdosta, GA 31602

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp offers access to the Withlacoochee River via Knight’s Ferry Road on the west side of Lowndes County.

Little River Boat Ramp: Intersection of St. Augustine and Val Tech Road, Valdosta, GA 31602

Little River Boat Ramp offers access to the Little River on the border of Lowndes and Brooks Counties and is located near Exit 18 off Interstate 75.

Madison Highway Boat Ramp: Madison Highway at the state line

Madison Boat Ramp is at the southeast end of Lowndes County and allows access to the Withlacoochee River off Madison Highway.

Nankin Boat Ramp: Clyattville-Nankin at the county line.

Nankin Boat Ramp is located in the Clyattville area and offers access to the Withlacoochee River.