News Flash

COOKEVILLE – Several Cookeville Leisure Services events and activities have been cancelled or postponed as social distancing recommendations continue into April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cancelled are the 11^th annual Dogapalooza and the inaugural Cane Creek BioBlitz, both of which had been planned for April 25.

Postponed are World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, art exhibits and spring softball leagues.

“We’re disappointed that we cannot hold these terrific events this spring, but public health and welfare must be our priority,” Rick Woods, Cookeville Leisure Services director, said. “So we’re doing the responsible thing and cancelling or postponing these activities.”

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day has been rescheduled for May 30 at Cane Creek Recreation Center with free demonstrations beginning at 10 a.m. This annual event takes place in more than 80 nations around the globe to educate people on the benefits of mind-body practices. The motto is “One World… One Breath.”

Art exhibits at the Cookeville Depot Museum and Cookeville History Museum will be rescheduled when the museums reopen. Both will run simultaneously. The depot exhibit will consist of children’s artwork in keeping with the theme, “When I Think of Cookeville.” The history museum exhibit, “Expressions of the Upper Cumberland,” will feature the work of area artists.

Cookeville museums manager Beth Thompson said now is a good time for children ages 17 and under to be working on their ready-to-hang masterpieces (drawing, coloring or painting) for the children’s art exhibit. For more information, call 528-8570.

“It could be a park, your school, a favorite spot for sweets… maybe even our very own depot,” she said.

Adult co-ed church and recreation softball league play at Cane Creek SportsPlex has been postponed. (Games had been scheduled to begin April 5.)

“As of now we are not setting a date for the start, but when we do, fees will still be due a week before league play begins,” Bonnie Graham, athletic superintendent, said.

For more information, call 520-5224.

Events scheduled for May remain on the calendar: Storyfest in the Park, May 30, Dogwood Park; History Hike, May 9, Cookeville Depot and Cookeville History Museum; Third Thursday in the Park concert, May 21, Dogwood Park; Cookeville Community Band concert, May 25, Dogwood Park; and Summer Recreational Day Camp, May 26-July 31, Cane Creek Recreation Center.

Updates will be posted on the Leisure Services website and shared on social media.

Several Cookeville Leisure Services facilities remain temporarily closed in an effort to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus: Cane Creek Recreation Center, Cane Creek Gymnasium, Cane Creek SportsPlex, Cookeville Performing Arts Center, Cookeville History Museum, Cookeville Depot Museum, Heart of the City Playground and Park View Skate Park.

During this time, Cane Creek Recreation Center and the museums are posting online content –fitness classes, craft projects, Train Tales stories, artifacts of the week and virtual exhibits – on their respective social media pages in an effort to stay connected with patrons.

“We are still your source for recreation and leisure activities – it’s just coming to you in a different format,” Cara Sheets, recreation superintendent, said.

All city parks are open. Visitors are encouraged to refrain from using parks or trails if exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, follow the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during the use of parks and trails and observe the CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other individuals at all times.  

For more information about Cookeville Leisure Services, call 520-4386.