ARTS & RECREATION Jackson's unique location, its incredible industrial and retail growth, its small town community spirit, and its big city sophistication combine to give Jacksonians a great quality of life. The tremendous variety of recreational, sports and cultural activities enhance all aspects of life in the Jackson area. Parks & Recreation:   Jackson's park system is a well-kept gem! The Jackson Parks Department has been nationally recognized for its variety and depth of program services and parks system. It has been ranked in the top 20 nationally for cities of comparable size. The Department operates 12 parks covering over 800 acres including: Muse Park:   Muse Park:   Located in central Jackson, this 100 acre park offers playgrounds, basketball courts and ball fields. Kate Campbell Robertson Park:   This 320 acre park located in east Jackson has tennis courts, ball fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, and a simply beautiful 18 hole public golf course. Cypress Grove Nature Park:   This park features 4000 feet of winding elevated walkway through a pristine 165 acre cypress forest. The park also includes the Aerie Trail Raptor Center for non-releasable birds of prey. Fairgrounds Park:   Located in south Jackson, this is the home of the annual State Fair, the monthly flea markets and many other recreational and cultural activities throughout the year. North Park: This new park located off of Highland in North Jackson features ball fields, soccer fields, playground and a "street" hockey arena, plus a lovely walking trail. Work is currently underway to build a nine-mile greenbelt between Cypress Grove, Kate Campbell and Fairgrounds Park. Much of the trail follows the Forked Deer River Flood Plain, with the proposed plan encompassing over 4,000 acres. NAIA National Women's Basketball Championship Tournament:   Since 1990, Jackson and Omen Arena has been the home for this always exciting tournament – one of the city's top tourist events. 1998 proved to be more exciting than normal as hometown favorite, The Union University Lady Bulldogs, won the national championship. The Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant:    Held every June at the Jackson Civic Center, the pageant is the single largest tourist event for Jackson. The Pageant has been held in Jackson since 1953. The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx:   April 16, 1998 – opening day for AA baseball in Jackson, TN!!! Affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, the Diamond Jaxx have been a huge hit with the fans in West Tennessee breaking Southern League attendance records. They play in beautiful Pringles Park – named one of the top 5 stadiums in minor league professional baseball. Arts and Entertainment:   From symphony concerts to blues fests to ballet to community theater, Jackson has it all. The Jackson Symphony:The Jackson Symphony:   One of only a very few regional orchestras in the Southeast, this nationally renowned group performs concerts throughout the year including special programs for seniors and children and holds a yearly free outdoor concert for the community. Their "Legends" series has included such greats as Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, and the Oak Ridge Boys! The Jackson Theatre Guild:   This group, which involves community actors, holds several stage productions each year – including musicals. The Jackson Arts Council:   This is an umbrella organization that supports many groups and works to promote the arts in West Tennessee. They hold annual fund drives and are a clearinghouse for state and federal arts grants. Ballet Arts:   Among their many yearly performances is an annual production of "The Nutcracker" – complete with visiting professionals. Jackson Area Recreational Facts: Private Golf Courses 4 Public Golf Courses 6 Country Clubs 4 Public Pools 1 Indoor Pools 3 Lighted Tennis Courts 20 Indoor Tennis Facilities 2 Bowling Alleys 2 Movies Screens 30 Meeting Facilities .................... Oman Arena 6,000 Civic Center 2,200 Fairgrounds 2,000 Fairgrounds Grandstand 2,000 Hotels and Motels 34 with 1800+ Rooms National Hotel Chains 19 Restaurants 350 and growing   Nearby Recreational Opportunities:   There are numerous facilities and tourist destinations within an hour and up to an easy day's drive from Jackson. Natchez Trace State Park:   Located 50 miles east along I-40, this is one of Tennessee's largest parks. The park includes rustic trails, picnicking, ATV trails, a wrangler camp, an RV campground, a large boating and fishing lake, a lodge, and more. Chickasaw State Park:   Located 30 miles south of Jackson along Highway 45, this park features a new championship caliber golf course as well as a swimming lake, hiking trails and a campground. Pickwick State Park:   Located on the Tennessee River at the Mississippi border, this beautiful park features a lodge, golf course, campground, and marina. Paris Landing State Park:   Located on the Tennessee River on the Kentucky border, this park features a golf course with breathtaking vistas, a new convention center, a lodge, a marina, hiking trails and a campground. Beech Lake:   Located 30 miles east of Jackson in Lexington, TN this TVA lake offers great boating, skiing, swimming and fishing. Jackson is located just 7 hours from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, 8 hours from Florida's gulf coast, 2 hours from the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, and just 1 hour away from Elvis' Graceland and Beale Street in Memphis.