Panama City Parks, Culture and Recreation

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the father-figures in our life that inspire us every day in our homes and in our community!

Your weekly update from the MLK Jr. Recreation Center is here!
Click to explore the calendar for June 21-27 and map out your week with us.

For more information, please visit: https://www.panamacity.gov/860/MLK-Jr-Recreation-Center

06/17/2026

The MLK Jr. Recreation Center will have special Holiday Hours this Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth Holiday). Saturday and Sunday will have regular hours of operation.

The Center’s hours this weekend are as follows:
Friday, June 19: 10 AM – 4 PM
Saturday, June 20: 8 AM – 5 PM
Sunday, June 21: 12 PM – 5 PM

For more information on the MLK Jr. Recreation Center, please visit https://www.panamacity.gov/860/MLK-Jr-Recreation-Center

06/17/2026

VOTE for the MLK Jr. Rec. Center once per day through June 21: https://aiabham.org/vote/

What if a recreation center could help put Panama City on the national map for excellence in community design?

The Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, designed by CCR Architecture, has been nominated for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) People's Choice Award, recognizing projects that make a meaningful impact on the communities they serve.

More than just a recreation center, this vibrant facility reflects Panama City's commitment to investing in people, opportunity, and quality of life. Its bold architecture features striking colors, clean contemporary lines, and dynamic chevron elements that symbolize movement, momentum, and progress.

The center was thoughtfully designed to serve residents of all ages, with amenities including a teaching kitchen, STEM lab, recording studio, study rooms, fitness spaces, and a full-size gym. Outside, basketball courts, a multipurpose field, playground, and open green spaces create opportunities for recreation and connection throughout the year. The site also incorporates a stormwater retention pond that helps manage runoff and reduce flooding while enhancing the surrounding landscape.

This nomination is an opportunity to showcase the innovative, community-focused development happening right here in Panama City.

Community members can support the project by voting for the AIA People's Choice Award through June 21. Individuals may cast one vote per day at https://aiabham.org/vote/

Help us celebrate a project that represents the future of Panama City and the strength of our community!

More information: https://www.panamacity.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/787

06/16/2026

🎉 Dream Builders Fun Fridays was a blast at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center on June 12!

Our young builders, thinkers, and creators spent the afternoon exploring their imagination and having fun with friends. Participants enjoyed building amazing creations with LEGO® bricks and challenging each other with classic board games like Chess, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, and Sorry!

From teamwork and problem-solving to creativity and friendly competition, it was wonderful to see so many smiles and new friendships forming throughout the day.

📅 Join us every Friday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM for Dream Builders Fun Fridays!

06/14/2026

📅Here’s what’s coming up this week (June 14-20) at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center!

There will be special holiday hours this Friday, June 19th, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

For more details, please visit the MLK Jr. Recreation Center page on the panamacity.gov website.

06/10/2026

🚀🔬 STEM CAMP IN ACTION AT MLK JR. RECREATION CENTER!

What an exciting week of discovery, creativity, and hands-on learning at our STEM Summer Camp!

Our young innovators have been busy building and racing their own balloon-powered STEAM cars, exploring the fundamentals of coding, designing and testing electrical circuits, and creating unique projects using 3D printing technology.

We're proud of all the campers for their hard work, curiosity, and willingness to learn new skills.👏

06/09/2026

⚾🥎 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – YOUTH FALL BASEBALL & SOFTBALL! 🥎⚾

Get ready for another exciting season of baseball and softball with Panama City Athletics! Whether your child is stepping onto the field for the first time or continuing to develop their skills, our fall league offers a fun, positive, and team-focused experience for players of all skill levels.

Registration Open Now through August 7
Registration Fees:
• T-Ball (Ages 4-6): $70
• Coach Pitch (Ages 6-8): $75
• Player Pitch (Ages 9-10, 11-12, & 13-14): $75

Important Dates:
• Coaches Meeting: August 6 at 6:00 PM
• Player Evaluations: August 8 at 9:00 AM (excluding T-Ball and coach-selected players)
• Opening Day Ceremony: September 12 at 9:00 AM at Oakland Terrace
• Regular Season Games: September 12 – November 6

Games will be played at Oakland Terrace, Mid-City, and Sudduth Park, with age groups assigned specific game days throughout the season.

Register today and join us for a season of teamwork, skill-building, sportsmanship, and fun!

Register online: https://secure.rec1.com/FL/PCQOL/catalog

06/08/2026

🏀 FALL YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE IS HERE! 🏀

Registration is now open for the 2026 Fall Youth Basketball League at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center!

Our league is designed to provide a fun, positive, and team-oriented environment where young athletes can develop basketball skills, learn sportsmanship, build confidence, and make new friends. Whether your child is just getting started or already loves the game, this league offers an exciting opportunity to learn, grow, and compete.

Registration: June 8 – July 31, 2026
Participant Fee: $90
Ages: 5–16 years old
Season Begins: Week of August 31, 2026
Each team will play 8 regular-season games, followed by playoffs.

https://secure.rec1.com/FL/PCQOL/catalog

Scholarships are available. Please inquire at the Front Desk for details.

Don't miss out on a great season of basketball, teamwork, and fun!

📞 For more information, call (850) 832-5821.

06/04/2026

🎨✨ What an incredible week at Art Adventures Camp at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center! ✨🎨

Our young artists spent three fun-filled days exploring their creativity, learning new artistic techniques, and creating amazing works of art. From painting landscapes and abstract designs to sketching, printmaking, and mixed-media projects, campers had the opportunity to express themselves while building confidence and artistic skills.

We are so proud of the creativity, effort, and imagination displayed by every participant. The artwork produced throughout the week was truly impressive, and the smiles on the campers’ faces said it all!

A very special thank you to our talented artist and instructor, Mr. Robbie Curry, for sharing his passion, creativity, and expertise with our campers. His encouragement and guidance helped make this experience both educational and unforgettable.