The City of Orange Beach is inviting residents of all ages and abilities to join in a summer-long celebration of Park and Recreation Month throughout July.

The initiative, led by the National Recreation and Park Association, marks its 40th year of honoring the role parks and recreation play in building stronger, more resilient communities.

From a glow-in-the-dark pickleball event and a tie-dye party to a hot dog eating contest and a summer sendoff, the city has lined up a series of free and low-cost activities for the public.

The celebrations kick off Thursday, July 3, with a Free Range Day at the Orange Beach Golf Center from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The fun continues Tuesday, July 8, with a Rock & Roll Tie-Dye Party at the Senior Center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, July 12, a Pop-Up Park and Hot Dog Eating Contest will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Snook Park. Movie at the Pool will entertain families from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the Aquatics Center, followed by Glow-in-the-Dark Pickleball from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 19, at the Recreation Center.

Additional Free Range Days are set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the Golf Center, and the Coastal Table program will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Community Center that evening. The Summer Soiree takes place Friday, July 25, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Event Center.

August brings a History Tour at the History Museum at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and a Summer Sendoff from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Waterfront Park.

The city is also offering a citywide scavenger hunt, a hole-in-one contest at the golf center, a recipe of the week at the fitness center and baseball tournaments at the Sportsplex throughout the month.

"I've participated in Park and Recreation Month for 20-plus years, and I look forward to my second year here in Orange Beach," said Nicole Ard, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Orange Beach. "This is one of my favorite times of the year. It's always busy, but it highlights how vital parks and recreation are for a successful community. With the full support of our city leaders, I'm thrilled to offer a range of family-friendly events for Orange Beach residents throughout July, and excited to see our fantastic Parks and Rec team shine all month long."

More than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals and hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers across the country are celebrated this month for their role in maintaining state, local and community spaces.

The NRPA and the city of Orange Beach encourage residents to post why their local park and recreation professionals matter to them on social media with #BuildTogetherPlayTogether.