Copperas Cove businesses, churches, organizations invited to adopt a park for the 2024 Solar Eclipse
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The center of the path of totality for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse will be almost directly over the city of Copperas Cove.
In fact, Copperas Cove will have one of the longest viewing times of totality, for nearly 4-1/2 minutes.
This makes Copperas Cove one of the prime viewing areas in Central Texas. Area RV parks are already filling up and many hotels are already full for the days before and immediately after the April 8 event.
The City’s Parks & Recreation Department has opened registration for groups to “adopt” a park for the eclipse.
Available parks are South Park, High Chapparal, and Highland Park. Local groups, businesses, and organizations have the opportunity to put their best foot forward and welcome the thousands of visitors expected to arrive in the city as much as one week prior to the big day.
Organizations can host a party on that spot, invite vendors, hold live entertainment and more.
Forms are available now from Ashley Wilson, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Copperas Cove.
“Groups can do anything they want to do and are willing to do. We want to encourage them to make it at least a two-day event or if they are only planning on doing the day of, then we highly suggest that they monitor and/or block off their park beforehand so that people aren’t trying to camp out on the property,” Wilson said.
Her department is already preparing for SUV/tent as well as RV rental opportunities for out-of-towners during the eclipse.
SUV/tent spaces will be $100 per day, with a 3-day minimum. RV rental spaces will be $200 per day, with a 3-day minimum. Reservations will open in early August.
Likewise, Wilson’s office is accepting vendor applications for the city’s Eclipse Festival, set for April 6-8 in City Park.
The Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce is supervising the upcoming goings-on at Ogletree Gap Park.
Cove Life Church, fresh off its 3rd annual 4th of July Celebration, will be heading up activities at Kate Street Park.
For more information about adopting a park, call Ashley Wilson at (254) 542-2719 or email awilson@copperascovetx.gov for the application packet. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.