Albany Unity in the Community event scheduled for Oct. 24

ALBANY – The Albany Recreation and Parks Department is bringing its first-ever Unity in the Community event to Albany in October, with a day of food and activities including blacktop basketball and a softball game featuring special guests.

“We’re going to take over the park for a whole day for people to enjoy,” Recreation and Parks employee Kenji Harris Sr. said. “We’re just trying to bring unity for the community.”

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. on Oct. 24 at the Gordon Sports Complex on Willie Pitts Jr. Road with blacktop basketball. A Kid Zone will open at about noon with activities and free food for youngsters. Activities will include bounce houses, miniature golf and a video game truck.

Food trucks will be on hand for adults, and the celebrity Stop the Violence Softball Game is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The Recreation and Parks Department is teaming up with the Albany Police Department, Albany Fire Department and other first responders in the community to put on the event, Harris said.

“This is the first one we’re doing,” he said. “We’re hoping to make it an annual thing.”