Goochland Parks and Recreation is offering an open house and a film series next month.

The plan is to invite people to tour the newly spruced up department headquarters while their kids enjoy free movies and popcorn.

It all happens March 12 and March 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Director Derek Stamey, who came on board last October, said the idea for the Children & Family Film Series and the Parks and Recreation Open House was a collective one.

“We wanted to reintroduce ourselves to the community,” said Stamey in an interview last week. Stamey emphasized he wants the community to come to think of the building that houses the department office as the Parks and Recreation Department, rather than as part of the old high school.

To that end the staff has been putting in a lot of sweat equity, painting and redecorating their quarters to put a new face on the department.

The entrance to the Goochland Sports Complex, where the Parks and Recreation Department is located, sports a fresh look. The staff repainted the old red brick walls, and added some fresh touches with low-cost new furnishings scavenged from many sources.

Now when visitors arrive at the complex, they see freshly painted walls with posters highlighting the department’s offerings on each side of the main entrance foyer in front of the gym.

A handsome wooden desk salvaged from the old middle school stands in the center of the entrance foyer, while freshly painted benches fashioned from tables stand to the side.

“We did this all at essentially no cost,” said Stamey, praising his 13-member staff for pitching in to spruce up the facility. “Everything was done in-house, using the staff and their painting skills.”

On tap for the first night of the Children and Family Film Series is the movie Monsters, Inc, an animated Disney film featuring the voices of John Goodman and Billy Crystal.

While the kids are laughing it up, parents will have a chance to meet Parks and Recreation instructors and learn about the departments’ offerings, which include a variety of classes, athletic programs and recreational opportunities.

Dog obedience classes and karate are among the most popular offerings, said Michelle Swalin, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator.

Parks and Recreation will also stage three major festivals this year.

May 1 brings the Goochland County Spring Festival to the Sports Complex and the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display will be held at the Goochland Soccer Complex.

A Halloween-themed Fall Festival scheduled for October 30 at Hidden Rock Park will wind up the year’s festivals.

For more information on the film series and all Parks and Recreation events call 804 556-5854 or visit the department at the Goochland County Web site at www.co.goochland.va.us