The Bell Tower in Temple Square
Assembly activities center on Temple Square, a plot of land on which The Temple, Porter Hall, Jordan Hall and the Bell Tower all rest.
Temple Square is on Temple Avenue in the geographic center of Ocean Park.
The Temple was named to the National Register of Historic Places on April 28, 1975 and, on March 2, 1982, the other buildings were added to form a historic district called the "Ocean Park Historic Buildings".
The Temple was built in 1881, the first assembly season, in six weeks. It is a wooden, octagonal building, 80 feet in diameter, and will seat up to a thousand people.
Sunday morning worship services are held here at 10:30 am throughout the season. It is also the site of most cultural events.
The Temple is open weekday mornings for meditation and observation.
A special flyer is available in the Temple giving some of the history of this unique structure.
Porter Memorial Hall
Porter Memorial Hall was dedicated on August 4, 1902. This building
is used for Morning Watch services, New England Book Bag Reading and Discussion
sessions and many allied organizational programs.
Porter Hall also houses the Ocean Park Historical Room.
B. C. Jordan Memorial Hall was dedicated on July 19, 1915. Sunday School and Vacation Bible School are held in this building.
Jordan Hall is also used for meetings, concerts and dramatic presentations.
The upkeep and care of our Temple Square buildings is entrusted to Mary McElhinney.
The Memorial Library is located at Furber Park across from the Ocean Park Variety store. Carolyn Barstow, an English teacher in Scarborough, Maine is in her 24nd year as librarian. Current children's and adult books, as well as newspapers, are available.
For children, Storytimes are held three days of the week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 4:30 pm in the Mary Chalmers Turner Memorial Children's room.
In addition, there will be a Summer Reading Club with activities and prizes under the direction of Jean Bruce. Registration and further details available at the library.
The library is open to the public weekdays, 2:00 to 5:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, closed Wednesday and all day Sunday.
Library rates for a family are : season - $10, month - $5 and week - $2.
The "Rec Hall" , on Colby Avenue between West Grand and Clover, provides a variety of activities for school age children and youth.
Children must be age 6, or entering 1st grade in September, or older. Younger siblings are welcomed when accompanied by a parent.
Paul Casey, a sixth grade teacher at Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is in his fourth year as recreation director.
The Rec Hall is equipped with pool tables and game tables for checkers, cards and other board games, as well as video games.
Outside there is a game area for volleyball and basketball.
Activities include game nights, bar-b-ques, dances and Aquaboggan Day.
The building is open daily Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. On rainy days, a decision will be made by noon about afternoon openings.
In the evening, Junior Dances (through 8th Grade) are held on Mondays, Family Game Night on Wednesdays and Senior Dances or Senior Game Nights (High School age) on alternate Fridays.
Check the Daily Calendar of Events or the bulletin board outside the Rec Hall for specific dates, times and details on all activities. The programs listed in the Daily Calendar of Events are the ones planned and expected to take place. However, program changes or modifications can occur, due in large part to the varying and earlier school starting dates, which we have experienced in recent years.
Updated monthly Recreation Program activity calendars are available at the Rec Hall during the season. In addition, "This Week in Ocean Park", an information sheet handed out at the Temple, carries an up to date report on all activities, reflecting additions or changes.
Rec Hall memberships are $20.00 for the season, $15.00 for a month, $5.00 per week or $1.00 per day. The phone number at the Recreation Building is 934-9325.
The Agnes L. Park Recreation Building behind the Tennis Courts
The Association's tennis courts are located on Temple Avenue between Clover Street and West Grand Avenue. Robert Isosaari, a retired naval offer, is in his second year as tennis manager. A tennis instructor at the University of West Florida, he is a qualified professional in the United States Professional Tennis Registry. Instruction is available by appointment and tennis equipment can be rented.
The courts are open daily: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (7:00 pm in August); Saturday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm; and Sunday 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Round Robin Doubles are held 8:00 am - 12:30 on Monday through Saturday.
Registration and rental fees are posted at the court. Court reservations may be made for only two days in advance.
For Ocean Park Association members, season tennis memberships are $110 and monthly memberships are $55.
For non OPA members, these memberships are $135 and $70 respectively. Court rates are variable - contact Rob Isosaari at the hut for details.
Check the bulletin board at the tennis courts for new and exciting programs for all ages. The tennis court phone is 934-9325.
Our shuffleboard courts are located on the SouthWest corner of Temple and West Grand.
This ancient British Isles game came to North America in 1915. Standardarized modern rules originated with the 1928 birth of the Florida Shuffleboard Association. Ocean Park's first courts were built one year before and these courts are still in use. Our courts are well painted, fast and lighted for evening play. Our cues and discs are continuously upgraded. We have new benches, new signs and new evening play lighting.
Dramatic increases in court use have been experienced these past 3 years, thanks to Ocean Park area families - children and adults - and to Oceanwood campers. If you have not experienced this relaxing, real entertainment, please join us. We hope to see you this summer.
The manager is Bruce C. Pulsifer, whose association with these courts as player, attendant and manager spans 52 of their 71 years. He enjoys welcoming returning players, helping beginners and playing in the afternoon Mix 'N' Match games. Special commendations are due to all the volunteers and benefactors who have contributed so much to the program's success. Two entry level attendant positions are available. If interested, contact the manager at 934-4635.
Hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Please take advantage of our Daily Special for Men and Women who arrive from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Enjoy friendly Mix 'N' Match pick-up foursomes at half-price until 4:30 pm. Come alone or with others. We also hold a weekly tournament for all ages on Thursday morning, with sign-up by Wednesday noon.
Volunteer adult assistance is earnestly sought.