Center Activities

The center offers classes for all ages. First class is free! Check out the center's activities and try something new:

Activities for all ages:

Class Schedules

Upcoming Events

Youth & Teen Programs

Our Youth & Teen Programs provide out of school opportunities for participants in Kindergarten through 8th grade to play, learn, and explore through interactive activities, field trips, and more! Check out our calendar of upcoming activities that you can register for:

Register for Teen Activities

School's Out Days

Seasonal Camps

Childcare

About the Center

The center was named in 1971 in honor of Colonel Willis S. Johns, USAF Ret in recognition of his contributions to the community in the Meadowlawn area.

Willis S. Johns Recreation Center, within Fossil Park, is located in an active Northeast part of St. Petersburg. The 12,500 sq. ft. center offers a variety of classes including dance, karate, yoga, dog training, and more. It houses a 6,700 sq. ft. gymnasium with a full-size basketball court and two studio rooms that can be rented out by the public for events.

The center also features unique artwork on the Fossil Wall, which is made up of 20 - 1.5' x 1.5' clay squares with assorted sharks teeth, toys, plants and other fossils imprinted into the squares. It was created by Michele Tuegal and Russ Gustafson-Hilton in 1997.

The Bayou Rhythm includes two stained glass works located above each of the entrances of the facility. These colorful works depict a beach/sea setting. The artist was Lee Beistle.