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Recreation Programs
Click below to register and to get more information about all of our programs: ↓
Program Registration Page
REFIT-Dance Fitness Classes
💃 REFIT® Dance Fitness Classes 💪
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 9:00–10:00 AM
📍 Location: [Insert Location if needed]
💲 $5 (Residents) | $6 (Non-Residents
Get ready to move with REFIT® — a high-energy, positive group fitness experience that strengthens your heart, body, and soul!
Set to uplifting music, REFIT combines dance, toning, balance, and flexibility to help you become your best self.
🌟 Perfect for beginners & fitness enthusiasts alike
🎶 Inspiring music + powerful, easy-to-follow moves
🧍♀️ Feel-good fitness for all levels
Tennis and Pickleball Lessons
🎾 Tennis & Pickleball Lessons at Mills River Park!
Offered by the Mills River Parks & Recreation Department
with Coach Dennis Harpell and Karen Wood.
📅 2026 Dates Tennis: Spring March 9th-May 9th: 10 week session; Pickleball: March14-April 11th- 5 week session
📍 Mills River Park
🏃♂️ Youth & Adult Classes Available
🗓 Classes offered in Spring, Summer & Fall
Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your game, join us on the court for fun, skill-building lessons!
🎾 Private and Semi-Private Lessons Available- year long, even in winter!
📩 For more info or to schedule: recreation@millsriver.org
Tennis Summer Camps
🎾 Summer Tennis Camps with Coach Dennis Harpell
Hosted by Mills River Parks & Recreation
📍 Mills River Park
📅 Summer 2026 Dates: Session #1 June 8th-12th; Session #2 June 22-26th
👧🧒 Ages 8–14
Join us for two exciting summer tennis camps designed to help young athletes have fun while building real tennis skills! Coach Dennis Harpell will guide players through fun drills, games, and activities that focus on:
✅ Proper grips, footwork, strokes, volleys, and serves
✅ Rules and etiquette of the game
✅ Match play preparation and confidence building
✅ Skill development in a supportive environment
🎾 All skill levels welcome
🥤 Students must bring a water bottle, snack, and racquet
🧑🏫 Led by experienced coach Dennis Harpell
A fun, focused, and active summer awaits on the courts!
Stay tuned — Summer 2026 dates coming soon!
Try Pickleball-Free Clinic
🏓 FREE Pickleball Clinic with Coach Karen Wood
📅 2026 Dates March 7th 2-4pm
📍 Mills River Park
👥 Ages 12 & Up
Curious about Pickleball?
Now’s your chance to try this fast-growing sport in a fun, welcoming environment! Join Coach Karen Wood for a FREE clinic designed for beginners and those looking to sharpen their skills.
✅ All equipment provided (paddles & balls)
🎾 Feel free to bring your own gear if you have it
📝 Space is limited – registration required
💵 Totally FREE!
No experience necessary — just come ready to play and have fun!
Stay tuned — dates will be announced soon!
SCIENCE ENRICHMENT CLASSES AT THE PARK:
In partnership with the Asheville Science Museum
Commons Room (next to Library)
Teacher Workday – No School!
Kids ages 8–15 will explore space through interactive play and inquiry-based learning.
• $5 – Residents
• $6 – Non-residents
Space is limited – sign up early!
WINGS, WHISKERS AND WONDERS-Exploring Native Life Around Us
🌿 Educational Program for Grades 1–5 🌿
Fridays | 9:30–11:30 AM
📅 Spring April 10-May 15th (6 classes)
📍 Town Hall Commons Room / Mills River Park
124 Town Center Drive, Mills River
💲 $60 (Residents) | $72 (Non-Residents)
Join us for a fun and educational journey into the wild!
In this nature-based program, kids will explore native plants, animals, and insects. Through engaging indoor and outdoor lessons, participants will learn how nature shapes our world—and how we can help protect it.
🌱 Hands-on activities
🐛 Wildlife exploration
🦋 Outdoor discovery
Space is limited—register today!
🌿 Summer Camp Grades 1–5 🌿
Monday- Friday | 9:00 AM-12:00 pm
📅 June 8th-June12th
📍 Town Hall Commons Room / Mills River Park
124 Town Center Drive, Mills River
💲 $100 (Residents) | $120 (Non-Residents)
Space is limited—register today!
Kidstronauts
WANT TO BE AN ASTRONAUT?
Join us for a special science class with the Asheville Museum of Science! 2026 Dates TBA
- Model the Sun, Moon & Earth
- Explore moon phases
- Learn how astronauts live & work in space!
Mini-Rologists
🪨✨ Calling all little rock stars! ✨🪨
Join us for Mini-Rologists, a hands-on geology adventure for kids ages 3–7! Young explorers will discover what makes a rock, enjoy a fun geology story, mine for real rocks and minerals, and even take home their own treasures.
📅 Thursday, April 16 or May 21
⏰ 10:30–11:30 am
📍 Commons Room & Picnic Shelter (beside the Library)
💵 $5 Residents | $6 Non-Residents
Presented by the Asheville Museum of Science in partnership with Mills River Parks & Recreation.
Spots are limited—register today and get ready to dig into geology! 🦴💎
Couch to 5K Class
🏃♀️ Beginner Running Program
📅 2026 Dates – TBA
📍 Location: Mills River Park
📝 Register by clicking the link above
Have you ever wanted to start running but didn’t know where to begin?
Used to run and want to get back into it?
This program is for YOU!
Our goal: to help you run 3.1 miles (a 5K) without stopping by the end of the session — at your own pace, in a supportive environment.
✅ Join anytime during the session
✅ Miss a class? No problem!
Your instructor will send you the workouts so you can stay on track from home.
No experience necessary — just bring your determination and a good pair of shoes!
Stay tuned — 2026 dates will be announced soon!
Taekwondo Class
🥋 Break Away Self-Defense Classes
Positive Character Development | Bully Prevention | Stranger Danger
📅 Mondays or Wednesday's | 7-10 Week Session depending on season
🕔 Ages 5–13 | 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
🎯 Fun, interactive, and empowering!
Give your child the tools to stay safe, confident, and respectful!
Break Away Self-Defense teaches practical skills through engaging lessons focused on:
✅ Self-protection & awareness
✅ Bully prevention techniques
✅ Stranger danger education
✅ Respect, discipline & positive character development
🧒 For Ages 5–13
💪 Builds confidence in a safe, supportive environment
Tackle Loaner Program
🎣 Tackle Loaner Program – Now Available!
Ongoing Program | Started April 15, 2024
In partnership with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Want to go fishing but don’t have your own gear? No problem!
We're proud to participate in the Tackle Loaner Program, giving you access to free fishing gear to borrow and use for up to 1 week!
🪝 Available to borrow:
Fishing poles
Artificial bait
Adaptive gear for wheelchair users
📍 Use the gear anywhere—not just at Mills River Park!
Borrowing & Return Info:
📍 Pick up & return at:
Mills River Town Hall – 124 Town Center Drive
🕘 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
🗓 Gear must be returned within 1 week of checkout.
♿ Did you know?
Mills River Park features a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and adaptive fishing gear for wheelchairs, available to borrow!
🎣 Come enjoy the outdoors—we’ll get you ready to cast your line!
We are looking for contract instructors!
🎓 Calling All Instructors!
Do you have a special skill, certification, or a passion for teaching?
Whether it’s a unique dance style, fitness program, craft, or life skill, we want to hear from you! The Mills River Parks & Recreation Department is currently seeking contract instructors to lead engaging and enriching recreation programs for our community.
How to Apply:
📄 Fill out a Program Proposal Form:
📘 Be sure to review our Instructor Manual for full details on:
Requirements
Policies
Procedures
Expectations for contract instructors