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Ocala's Community Center Network
Two governments run community centers in the Ocala area. The City of Ocala Recreation & Parks Department runs centers inside the city, and Marion County runs centers in the unincorporated county, some through Parks & Recreation and some through taxing units that serve a single subdivision.
Below are the main centers, who runs each one, and how to reach them. Hours and programs change, so call before a special trip.
Key Community Centers in Marion County
E.D. Croskey Recreation Center
The City of Ocala's oldest recreation center, with arts and crafts programs, a computer lab, instructional programs, an after-school program, and summer camps. Open recreation runs Monday–Friday 3–8 p.m. and Saturday noon–5 p.m. (except during on-site after-school programs or camps). It sits next to the 24-acre Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, and the hall can be rented on weekends.
- After-school program
- Summer programs & camps
- Arts & crafts
- Computer lab
- Weekend rentals (seats 120)
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place
Opened in 2023, this 41,750-square-foot, two-story City of Ocala center has two full basketball courts, an open fitness area, an indoor walking track, studios, senior and youth spaces, a library and media center, and a 400-seat banquet space that divides into three rooms. Open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday noon–5 p.m.
- Open recreation
- Youth & teen programs
- Programs for adults 50+
- Fitness classes
- Event rentals
Forest Community Center at Sandhill Park
A Marion County Parks & Recreation center in the Forest community of eastern Marion County, in the renovated former Forest Public Library building. It has meeting space and a game room; the park has a playground, picnic pavilion, walking trails, and a boardwalk to the Forest Public Library next door. Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Meeting space
- Game room
- Playground & pavilion
- Walking trails
- Library next door
Silver Springs Shores Community & Youth Center
Run by Marion County's Silver Springs Shores Municipal Services Taxing Unit for residents and property owners of the Silver Springs Shores subdivision. The MSTU's facilities include three swimming pools, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts, a fitness room, and a community and youth center with rooms to rent.
- Three pools
- Courts
- Fitness room
- Youth center
- Room rentals
Marion Oaks Community Center
Run by Marion County's Marion Oaks Municipal Services Taxing Unit for Recreation for Marion Oaks residents and property owners. The center and annex have an auditorium with a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, a fitness room, and a family youth room; the grounds have basketball, tennis, volleyball and pickleball courts, a walking trail, and a splash pad. The Marion Oaks Public Library is in the same building.
- Fitness & pickleball
- Family youth room
- Van trips
- Auditorium & room rentals
- Splash pad
What Community Centers Offer
Ocala community centers serve a broad range of needs. Here is an overview of the types of programs typically available.
Youth Programs
After-school programs, youth leagues, summer camps, and enrichment activities for children and teens across Marion County.
Fitness & Wellness
Group exercise classes, open gym time, fitness facilities, and wellness programming for adults of all fitness levels.
Senior Activities
Social gatherings, fitness programs designed for older adults, educational activities, and community events for Marion County seniors.
Community Events
Seasonal celebrations, community gatherings, holiday programs, and special events open to all residents.
Enrichment Classes
Arts, crafts, cooking, educational courses, and skill-building workshops offered throughout the year.
Meeting Room Rentals
Affordable meeting room and facility rental options for community groups, nonprofits, and private events.
How to Register for Programs
Registration is handled separately by the City of Ocala and Marion County, depending on which center you use.
Programs, camps, and rentals at city centers are handled by the City of Ocala Recreation & Parks Department. Call the center you want to use (E.D. Croskey 352-401-3920, Mary Sue Rich 352-401-6980) or see the Recreation & Parks pages on the city website.
Registration Tip
Open-recreation schedules at Mary Sue Rich change monthly, so call for the current month's activities.
The Forest Community Center is run by Marion County Parks & Recreation (352-438-2840). The Silver Springs Shores and Marion Oaks centers are run by the county's Municipal Services Taxing Units for those neighborhoods; call them directly for memberships, programs, and rentals (Silver Springs Shores 352-438-2810, Marion Oaks 352-438-2830).
Registration Tip
The Marion Oaks and Silver Springs Shores centers are paid for by assessments on property in those subdivisions and mainly serve their residents and property owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between City of Ocala and Marion County community centers?
The City of Ocala Recreation & Parks Department runs centers inside the city, including the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center and the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. Marion County runs centers outside the city: the Forest Community Center at Sandhill Park (Parks & Recreation), and the Silver Springs Shores and Marion Oaks centers, which are run by Municipal Services Taxing Units for those subdivisions.
Do I need to be a resident to use Ocala community centers?
It depends on the center. The Silver Springs Shores and Marion Oaks centers are funded by assessments on property in those subdivisions and provide facilities for their residents and property owners. For city centers and the Forest Community Center, call the center to ask about eligibility, memberships, and fees.
How much do programs at Ocala community centers cost?
Costs vary by center and program; some activities, such as the free Zumba classes listed at Mary Sue Rich, cost nothing. As one example of rental rates, the City of Ocala lists E.D. Croskey rentals at $50 an hour for the general public and $25 an hour for nonprofits, with a $100 damage deposit and a $35-an-hour staff fee. Call the center for current fees.
Can I rent meeting space at an Ocala community center?
Yes. E.D. Croskey rents its hall on Saturdays and Sundays (seats 120, kitchen available, four-hour minimum), Mary Sue Rich has a 400-seat banquet space that divides into three rooms, Marion Oaks rents an auditorium, meeting rooms and a pavilion, and the Forest Community Center has meeting space. Contact the center for availability and rates.
What programs are available for seniors at Ocala community centers?
The Mary Sue Rich Community Center has senior spaces and programs for adults 50 and older, and the City of Ocala also runs the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center for ages 50+. The Marion Oaks center lists weekly exercise and fitness programs, pickleball, billiards, and van trips. Call each center for the current schedule.