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Parks & Recreation

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1. Where can I find a copy of the Program Guide?

Program Guides are available online and at the John M. Brown Community Center, Apex Senior Center, and The Halle Cultural Arts Center. Registration forms and other program information may be found there as well.

Program Guides page.

2. How can I report a problem in a park or greenway?

You can report any issues or concerns directly HERE. The Town strives to provide public parks that are clean and safe for our patrons. Visitors who notice vandalism, suspicious behavior, or have other concerns should notify either Park Maintenance Staff at (919) 363-6469, or contact the Apex Police Department at 911 for emergencies or (919) 362-8661 for non-emergencies immediately.

3. How can I reserve a Picnic Shelter?

In general, picnic shelters at Town-owned parks are available for rental under certain guidelines and conditions. Shelters can be reserved online here or in person at the John M. Brown Community Center. Check out the rental facilities page for details. 

4. Can I fish in Town parks?

Fishing is allowed at Apex Community Park Lake, Seagroves Farm Park Pond, and Salem Pond Park with a valid permit. Apex residents must possess a Town fishing permit, which is free of charge. Non-residents must purchase a Town permit. Both are available at the John M. Brown Community Center. A State of North Carolina Fishing License is required for ages 16 and over. Fishing hours at Apex Community Park, Seagroves Farm Park and Salem Pond Park are from 6:30 a.m. to sunset. Sunset is defined by the National Weather Service. Note: Only Apex Community Park Lake is stocked annually with channel catfish. 

5. Is boating allowed?

The Town permits canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, sailboards, john boats (not to exceed 14 feet in length) and rowing skulls on the Apex Community Park Lake. Boaters must purchase a Town of Apex boating permit in order to launch. Permits may be obtained at the Apex Community Center. Electric trolling motors are allowed. Gas operated motors are prohibited. Boats must be hand-carried to the launch area near the picnic shelters in Apex Community Park, which is accessible only from the Laura Duncan Road entrance. Launching from any other site is prohibited.

Boating is not allowed at Seagroves Farm Pond or Salem Pond.

6. Is alcohol allowed in the parks?

Alcohol and other controlled substances are expressly forbidden at all times by Town ordinance in all public Town operated facilities and on all Town property. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In addition, Town ordinances prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons on Town property, on public greenways, and in Town facilities.

7. Where are the dog parks located?

The Town of Apex currently operates two dog parks at Hunter Street Park (1250 Ambergate Station) and Apex Nature Park (2600 Evans Road). 

8. Do you hold open gym?

Open Gym is held at the John M. Brown Community Center for basketball and volleyball as determined by a preset schedule. You can find the schedule online here or call the Community Center at (919) 249-3402 to confirm hours. We try to keep the open gym schedules up to date and current however that is not always possible. We suggest you call the Community Center to verify Open Gym Schedules before coming to the center.

9. What is the missed class policy?

Participant fees are included in our contractual obligation to our instructors, therefore, we must pay the instructor even if you miss a class. Refunds may be requested, in writing, within our approved and adopted policies which are available at the Community Center and are viewable online. The Refund Policy is noted on our registration forms. Participants are strongly encouraged to read and understand our Refund Policies before registering for an activity. Instructors who miss a class will provide a make-up class opportunity.

10. What is the registration process?

You may register either in person, by mail or online here. In person registration can be done at the John M. Brown Community Center (53 Hunter St), Apex Senior Center (63 Hunter St) or at The Halle Cultural Arts Center (237 N Salem St). Mail and payment (via check, if needed made out to Town of Apex) should be sent to:

Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
PO Box 250
Apex, NC 27502

Registration by fax is not accepted except for placement on waiting lists after a program is full. Mail-in registration will not be accepted prior to the first day of registration. If mail in registration is received prior to the first date of registration it will not be accepted.

11. Is there a waiting list for your programs?

Waiting lists are available for most programs and activities offered by the Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department after registration for a program has filled. If spots open up in a program that has a waiting list, staff will reach out to the participants on the waiting list to fill those vacancies. The order of the waiting list is determined by residency, with Apex residents always receiving priority over non-residents based on the below definition of “APEX RESIDENT”. As of September 12, 2022, non-resident participants who reside in the ETJ (Extra Territorial Jurisdiction, outside the corporate limits) of Apex will receive priority over other non-residents on the waiting list. No payment is required to be put on the waiting list.  

APEX RESIDENT: For purposes of APRCR program registration, a resident shall be defined as any family or individual that resides within the established corporate limits of the Town as defined by the Apex Planning and Community Development Department.

12. What payment methods are accepted?

Payment may be made by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Only checks are accepted by mail. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Apex.

13. What is your refund and registration policy?

APR&CR offers refunds for various fees and charges under policies adopted by the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Commission and the Apex Town Council. To view the department's Refund Policy, click here. Participants should fully understand and review the Refund Policy before registering or renting.

14. Where are your games located?

All youth athletic programs are held in close proximity to Apex at one of our facilities or at one of the area schools where the Town has a Primary User Agreement.

15. How are practices scheduled?

Practices are assigned based on the facilities available. Sometimes, particularly with school sites, the department has limited availability so practice times may not be consistent or optimal. Whenever possible, practices are scheduled on a rotating basis so children can be involved in other activities while participating in one of our leagues. However, past experience has shown there will always be conflicts and there is no way to accommodate all the special needs different families have.

16. How are returning players handled?

Will my child receive special consideration if they are returning to the same league as the year before? No, the only exception is if your child meets all the registration requirements and gets registered before the league fills, then your child can automatically (if requested) go back on the same team as the year before unless you specify that you do not want your child on the same team.

17. How are uniforms handled?

In youth soccer, youth basketball, and youth volleyball, participants receive a team jersey. In youth baseball and softball, jerseys and hat or socks are provided. Participants must wear the department issued uniforms in order to participate.

18. How do I rent an athletics field?

For information regarding renting a field, see Rental Facilities or email Patrick Fitzsimons.

19. How do I apply for a job with the Parks Department?

The Parks Department has various seasonal openings throughout the year for evenings and weekend work. Areas of interest include athletics, community center front desk, and park maintenance. Open positions are also posted online and you can apply online here.

online.

20. Where do I find more information about the Halle Cultural Arts Center?

All information regarding the Halle Cultural Arts Center can now be found online.

21. What are the age cut off dates for Parks Programs?

The various age cut off dates for programs are set by a variety of guidelines including consistency across programs, NCHSAA guidelines, instructor input etc.

Although we recognize, sympathize, and understand some participants may be adversely affected, no matter what day is chosen, the department does not make exceptions nor allow participants to move up or down in leagues based on skill level, ability, size, carpooling concerns, etc.

The department cannot accommodate all the requests we receive for programs and activities.

Community Center Programs require participants to be the age specified on or before the 1st day of an activity; no exceptions. The cut off dates for sports leagues can be found in the Program Guide.

Cut Off Dates page.

22. Where do I find out more about special events?

The department sponsors and co-sponsors numerous special events throughout the year. These events are publicized in the Program Guide and more information is also available online here.

online.

23. How do I determine residency?

The determination of residency is critical for registration purposes and the ability to rent facilities. For program registration, the 1st two weeks of each registration period is limited to Apex residents only.

A resident is defined as an individual that resides within the established corporate limits of the Town of Apex as defined by the Apex Planning and Community Development Department. Those interested in participating should understand that it is possible to have an Apex address, attend a school in Apex, or have Apex utilities and not reside within the corporate limits of the Town.

To look up your address to see if it is in the Apex corporate limits, view the Apex Street Index here.

Street Index (PDF).

24. What are team placement tryouts or the draft?

Most youth athletic leagues have placement tryouts to establish new teams, to fill in spots vacated by players who do not return to the program, or to balance / establish new leagues and programs.

Not all players are required to attend tryouts and participants should verify their status when they sign up. Players attending tryouts are assigned a number and typically go through a variety of drills and skills tests in front of the coaches. If a participant meets the required registration requirements with regards to time, age, fees, etc. then the participant will be placed on a team.

If a participant meets all the registration requirements and is unable to attend Team Placement Tryouts, they will still be placed on a team via a blind draw. However, there is no guarantee which team the participant will be placed on and staff are unable to accommodate most requests.

25. Where do I find information about cancellations due to inclement weather?

Contact the Athletic Hotline at (919) 249-3348 to find out if games / practices have been cancelled. Please call during weekdays after 4 p.m., Saturdays at 8 a.m., or Sundays at 1 p.m.

26. How do I volunteer to coach?

Contact the Program Supervisor in charge of the program you are interested in volunteering for, or download a Coach Interest Form from the individual program pages. To be considered, you must fill out and return the form by the established deadline. If you are selected as a volunteer coach, you must undergo a confidential background check conducted by the Apex Police Department.

Youth Athletics Program page.