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Tourist Bureau loaded with visitor information
T he people in the know about Port Aransas are the staff members at
 | | A new sign at the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau's visitor center welcomes visitors to the island. |
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the Chamber of Commerce
Tourist Bureau.
The bureau is located at 403 W. Cotter, about a block east of the ferry landing. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The office is closed on Sunday. When the lobby is closed, a rack with brochures, dining and accommodations guides, and a South Jetty newspaper rack are left on the porch.
The tourist bureau also operates a satellite office in the Port Aransas Community Theater building on State Hwy. 361 at Sea Isle Drive. It has general information and brochures about Port Aransas accommodations, dining, shopping, fishing and other activities. This office also sells tickets for PACT productions. The satellite information center is open on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The number at the office is 749-6036.
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Tourist bureau staff members have a wealth of information, as well as brochures from all the member businesses. For visitors staying longer, brochures from other Texas destinations also are available.
Details of local and area events can be had for the asking.
The tourist bureau also has dining and accommodation guides as well as the South Jetty's Visitors' Guide .
Beach parking permits are sold there, as are Port Aransas tshirts.
Visitors who want to plan a return visit for a family or school reunion or business meeting can get help from tourist bureau staffers. Also, tour groups on buses can arrange to have a tour guide from the bureau join them for a narrated tour.
For more information, visit the tourist bureau's Web site, www. portaransas.org.
Contact the bureau by phone at (361) 749-5919 (1-800- 45-COAST) or by e-mail at info@portaransas.org. A nyone who thinks the beach is Port Aransas' only water feature hasn't visited the
swimming pool in Community
Park.
Of course, the Gulf of Mexico is open 24 hours a day. But the pool offers lounge chairs and benches, shade, showers, lockers, and poolside cubbyholes where you can keep your towel and shoes safe.
Vending machines line the picnic area, which is shaded.
The pool offers open-swim hours from 1- 6 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday and exercise classes four days a week. Lap swimming is available all day. Lap Swim Only is 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 12 noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and 12 noon - 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The pool is closed on Monday.
The pool is the crown jewel of Port Aransas Community Park, but it's by no means the only activity there. The park also contains a jogging trail, three ball fields, a soccer field, play area and picnic pavilion - the activities are as limited as your imagination.
"There is always something going on around here," Gary Mysorski, Parks and Recreation director, said.
The jogging trail, for running or walking, is pet friendly. There are pet stations around the park to discard man's best friend's worst little feature.
The long trail is a 1.1-mile course. Anyone who walks this one can say they walked over a mile!
The short trail is just under a half-mile at .46.
A tee-ball field sits next to the two baseball fields. These fields are used for little league and high school baseball games. A concession stand and separate restrooms are located conveniently to the fields.
The larger baseball field doubles as a soccer field.
Skatepark equipment has been added with the help of the Port Aransas Kiwanis Club and skateboarders can practice their aerial moves on the quarter pipes and grind rail.
In-line skaters now have a 140x70 foot concrete rink for recreational skating or a little hockey practice. Visitors to town may want to check out a pickup hockey game on Sunday afternoon or evening.
Schedules are subject to change, so be sure to call ahead to confirm. The swimming pool number is 749-2416. For more information on activities, events and facilities go to www.cityofportaransas. org.
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