The Parks and Recreation Department offers active and passive recreation for people of all ages and preserves open space for Gastonia residents to enjoy.
The Recreation Division is located in Memorial Hall, which also houses American Legion Post 23, a military museum, and the Rambling Rebels drum and bugle corps museum.
What We Offer
Parks & Amenities
Gastonia’s parks offer playgrounds, picnic shelters, trails, ball fields, and open space for residents of all ages, including Lineberger Park, Martha Rivers Park, and Rankin Lake Park. Explore parks and amenities
Community Centers
Our community centers host recreation programs, classes, and activities, and are available to rent for meetings and events. Each center takes reservations for its own facility. Find a community center
Athletic Programs
We offer youth and adult athletic leagues and programs. Register for youth sports online through our recreation catalog. View athletic programs
Facility Rentals
Families, churches, businesses, and other groups can rent picnic shelters, ball fields, and community centers for social or business events. The Administrative Office schedules shelter and clubhouse reservations at Lineberger Park, Martha Rivers Park, and Rankin Lake Park. Learn about facility rentals
Greenways
Walk, run, or bike on Gastonia’s greenway trails, which connect neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas. Explore greenways
Swimming Pools
Cool off at the City’s public swimming pools during the summer season. Pool information
Tennis & Pickleball
Play tennis or pickleball on City courts. Court information
Skeet & Trap Range
Shooting sports enthusiasts can visit the City’s skeet and trap range. Range information
Park Watch
Help keep our parks safe by reporting suspicious activity, vandalism, or maintenance issues. Learn about Park Watch
Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Our master plan guides the future of Gastonia’s parks, facilities, and programs. Read the master plan
Recreation Advisory Commission
This citizen commission advises City Council on parks and recreation matters. Learn about the commission
Register & Reserve Online
Register for youth sports and check facility availability at Rankin Lake, Lineberger Park, and Martha Rivers Park through our online recreation catalog.
To reserve a facility online, first create a customer account:
- The primary account holder must be an adult. You can add dependents after your account is created.
- Spell out your full street name. Don’t use abbreviations or a P.O. Box.
- Put apartment or unit numbers in “Address Line 2.”
- Your email address will be your username.
Thank you to Dick’s Sporting Goods, sponsor of our 2026 athletic season. Get Dick’s Sporting Goods coupons, valid at any Dick’s location through December 31, 2026.
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Tripp White
Director of Parks and Recreation
tripp.white@gastonianc.gov -
Ryan Resendez
Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
ryan.resendez@gastonianc.gov -
Skip Youngblood
Division Manager of Recreation
skip.youngblood@gastonianc.gov -
Jerry Browning
Division Manager of Maintenance
jerry.browning@gastonianc.gov -
Christine Ingle
Event Planner/Resource and Arts Manager
christine.ingle@gastonianc.gov -
Tawanna Alston
Athletics Supervisor
tawanna.alston@gastonianc.gov -
Wes Wood
Athletics Supervisor
wes.wood@gastonianc.gov
Contact Information
Administration
107 S. Broad Street, Gastonia, NC 28052
(PO Box 1748, Gastonia, NC 28053-1748)
Phone: 704-866-6839
recreation@gastonianc.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Recreation Division
Memorial Hall
109 W. Second Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: 704-869-1018
Inclement Weather Hotline: 704-869-1983