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Recreation

One of the most recent additions to the recreation landscape is the mountain biking and hiking trail at Poston Park on Lowell-Spencer Mountain Road. The park is also home to four lighted softball/little league fields and four lighted soccer fields. The young kids will enjoy the playground equipment and those looking for a more relaxed activity will find it at the horseshoe complex.

Five acres have been set aside at Poston for a future dog park, though there are already a couple canine-friendly activities in Gaston County. At Gaston County Park in Dallas, The Gazette and Gaston County Parks and Recreation team up each year to sponsor the Just Plain Dog Show, an event that has been going on for 34 years. The mixed-breed dogs, along with their owners who are in grades one through nine, compete in the show. The event is held in May. The Animal League of Gaston County sponsors a Dogtoberfest at Dallas Park in Dallas. There are games and information booths on spaying, neutering and dog health and well being.

The park in Dallas is also home to a June summer pops concert sponsored by the United Arts Council of Gaston County and a gem and mineral show in October. The park’s most well-known event is the annual Cotton Ginning Days Festival in October. For the past 20 years, the festival has featured bluegrass music, traditional arts and crafts, as well as antique engines, farm and textile equipment, a petting zoo and pony rides. The event was named a Local Legacy in 2000 by the Library of Congress.

If you want to test your fitness mettle, head to Crowders Mountain. The state park has miles of hiking trails and some of the most popular climbing spots in the Southeast. It’s also home to a lake. Canoes can be rented from the park. Fishing is also permitted both from the bank and the boat. Having too much fun to go home? Then don’t. There’s backcountry camping. Campsites come with a tent pad and grill. Drinking water and pit toilets are on site, as well.

Like to golf? Gaston’s got that too. The 18-hole Gastonia Municipal Golf Course is just the place. Located on Niblick Drive, the course also has a pro shop and grill.

The city of Gastonia offers league sports including adult basketball, softball and volleyball along with youth baseball, basketball, softball, flag football and soccer programs. Not into team sports? The city has 46 tennis courts where adult league play takes place. There’s also a youth tournament and classes.

Senior citizens can find plenty to do in Gaston County. The county recreation department sponsors annual Valentine and Christmas parties free to people age 55 and over. Those are at the Citizens Resource Center in Dallas, where seniors’ holiday dances are also held.

The AHOY exercise program, also known as Add Health to Our Years, line dancing and Jazzercise classes keep seniors exercising. Those are held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Gastonia. Flint Groves Baptist Church in Gastonia hosts a Seniorcise fitness class. There’s also an exercise class at the Citizen’s Resource Center in Dallas. All classes are sponsored by the county recreation department.

On Gaston’s east side, recreation makes a real splash at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. True to its name, there’s plenty of water as well as biking and hiking trails, a ropes course, zip line and a restaurant.

More fitness opportunities are available through the Gaston YMCA with branches in Gastonia, Cherryville, Belmont and South Gastonia. There are adult and youth sports teams, swimming, exercise classes, fitness equipment and more.