Allen offers free access to city recreation facilities through Leap Days program

Community members can access several Allen recreation centers at no cost once a month, Communications Manager Kristi Soto said.

Allen’s Parks and Recreation Department launched its Leap Days program Feb. 1, which waives membership fees at participating recreation centers on the first day of each month.

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Participating facilities include:

In addition, Ford Pool will be available during Leap Days in the summer months, and the Allen Senior Recreation Center will be available for individuals above age 60 to visit, Soto said.

This initiative allows individuals to experience recreation centers before committing to a monthly membership, said Elissa Malone, assistant director of operations for Parks and Recreation.

“We’re always keeping our eyes and ears open for opportunities to eliminate barriers where it makes sense,” Malone said.

The Leap Days program also creates opportunities for community connection.

“[Recreation] is an opportunity to learn something, to engage with others, to improve well-being, to improve family life, to be a participant in something,” Malone said. “Recreation and parks are essential, not just to a good life, but to a community’s life in general.”

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The next Leap Day is scheduled for March 1.

If the first of the month falls on a day a facility is normally closed, such as Saturday or Sunday, that facility will not participate, Soto said. Leap Day programming will also be unavailable on city holidays.

For more information, visit the Allen Parks and Recreation department website.