Get out there! July is Parks and Recreation Month

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has declared July as the official Parks and Recreation Month. The City of Pensacola has plenty of places where you can join in on the celebration.

There is something for everyone to enjoy, from playing on a playground, to watching movies under the stars.

The City of Pensacola owns 600 acres of park and open space. We have 10 activity centers, 93 parks and offer more than 200 recreation programs a year.

“July is the perfect time to highlight all the benefits parks and recreation provides right here in Pensacola,” said City of Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. "Our local parks and recreation department directly contributes to reduced obesity rates, an improved ecosystem and increased property values.”

NRPA and City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation are encouraging everyone to discover everything that is offered at their local parks and recreation facilities!

This Friday, July 6, is Hill-Kelly Movies in the Park. Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be playing at Community Maritime Park from 8-10 p.m.

For more opportunities and information visit playpensacola.com.

Blues on the Bay featured in Coastal Lifestyle Magazine

A Pensacola-based magazine featured Blues on the Bay in their June/July publication.

Author Morgan Cole wrote in Coastal Lifestyle Magazine that the free outdoor concerts have become a popular event for visitors and locals to spend the final day of their weekend.

The concerts are put on by Blues Angel Music and the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department. They are held on select Sundays at the Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater.

The concert series started in 2013 and has grown to include a variety of genres featuring local artists. Cole wrote that it is great teamwork between the City and Blues Angel Music that makes the annual event possible.

The next concert will feature The Reunion Band on July 15. The concert begins at 6 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers! Leave Fido at home, please.

You can read the article by visiting Coastal Lifestyle Magazine's website.

Fire Chief Ginny Cranor poses with Firefighter Kendrick Thompson

A promise in a poem: Pensacola man’s firefighting dream becomes reality

Pensacola Firefighter Kendrick Thompson has a story.

The 21-year-old was born and raised in Pensacola. His dream of becoming a firefighter started in 2005 when his class was visited by a Pensacola Fire Department Engine Company at O.J. Semmes Elementary School. At 8 years old, he sat down with markers, a piece of cloth and a poem in his heart and wrote “I want to be a fireman.”

The poem on that piece of cloth became his mantra. It stuck with him through grade school. In 2017, Pensacola Fire Cadet Kendrick Thompson carried the poem in his pocket throughout his entire Emergency Medical Technician course and Fire Academy Training.

It has served as a reminder of the promise he made to himself more than a decade ago.

On July 2,2018, Firefighter Kendrick Thompson reported to Pensacola Fire Station 1 for his first watch.

Kendrick is a Firefighter – and this is the beginning of his story.

Visit our YouTube page to see the video story from his first day of work.

Aviation Discovery Park improvements

Come and check out the new improvements at the General Daniel “Chappie” James Aviation Discovery Park!

Our crews were busy this spring installing new playground equipment, replacing sun shades and repairing air traffic control speakers.

The park is located at 4200 Jerry Maygarden Road on the property of the Pensacola International Airport.

It was undertaken by Pensacola Area Flight Watch, an organization dedicated to the interests of General Aviation, and the promotion of aviation among our youth. The park was established in 2006.

You can see more about the Aviation Discovery Park on our website.

Blues in the City is back!

Blue Angels flight members sign autographs for fans in Veterans Memorial Park.

The first Blues in the City event of 2018 was a huge success! Hundreds gathered in Veterans Memorial Park to meet and greet with the Blue Angels on Tuesday. The City of Pensacola started the speaker series in 2016 for the Blue Angels 70th anniversary. This year's Pensacola Beach Air Show is July 14.

Large crowd gathers in Veterans Memorial Park on July 3 for the Blues in the City speakers event.

Congratulations to our Employee of the Month!

Mayor Ashton Hayward poses with employee of the month

Edward Milteer is June's Employee of the Month

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the week

Be sure to tag us using @cityofpensacola or #upsideofflorida so we see your pic!

Photo Credit: @shuttrbuggn