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JBSA News
NEWS | May 12, 2008

Spring Fling highlights Canyon Lake park

By David DeKunder Staff writer

Base families can experience a weekend getaway for a day when the 12th Services Division hosts its seventh annual Spring Fling May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Randolph Recreation Park at Canyon Lake. 

Admission to the family-oriented event is free and open to active-duty personnel, including Department of Defense civilians, family members and contractors. 

Steve Knechtel, 12th Services Division business operations manager, said the purpose of Spring Fling is to encourage Randolph personnel and their families to come out to the park. 

"Spring Fling is an opportunity for us to showcase the park for the upcoming summer season," Mr. Knechtel said. "This is an opportunity for base members to experience what is available at the park." 

Spring Fling will have many activities for children and adults to participate in. There will be a children's area with a petting zoo, pony rides and a "Create a Mural" area, free paddle and pontoon boat rides, a Build-a-Boat contest, tattooing, a casting contest, a roping contest, a scavenger hunt and entertainment from 1-3 p.m. 

Tours of the park will be offered and free hot dogs, chips and refreshments will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

People will be able to visit the information booths at the event, which will have information on updated services at the park, boater safety and sun protection. 

The Randolph Recreation Park has amenities and facilities for picnicking, camping and boating and has cabins and a beach area. 

Sharon Rector, former 12th Services Division business operations manager who helped put on Spring Fling for the past few years, said Spring Fling is a good way for families to do something together outdoors. 

"Spring Fling is good family fun," Ms. Rector said. "It gives parents the opportunity to get their kids out of the house and show them another outlet for family fun and group activities." 

Mr. Knechtel said Spring Fling is a good opportunity for kids to come out, get active and get some exercise. 

"I think it is a healthy alternative for family fun," he said. "It gets families out in the sun, into the fresh air for some exercise and gets them away from the TV." 

Ms. Rector said 12th Services has been able to put on Spring Fling, which brings out an average of 1,400 to 1,500 people a year, because of the efforts of dedicated volunteers. 

"Volunteers are the ones that make an event of this magnitude successful," she said. "They are really awesome." 

The Randolph Recreation Park is located at 781 Jacobs Creek Park Road, just off FM 306 at Canyon Lake. 

For more information about Spring Fest, contact Mr. Knechtel at 652-6508.