Sue Herndon McCollum Community Center at Lafayette Park
Location and Hours of Operation
- 501 Ingleside Avenue | 850-891-3946
- Monday-Friday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
- Saturday: 1:00 - 9:00pm
Nestled in the heart of Tallahassee, Lafayette Park Community Center was the City's first multi-purpose community center. Built in 1957, Lafayette Park's 22-acre park not only houses a recreation center, but an Arts and Crafts Center, a playground, softball field, tennis courts, a picnic shelter and a 1 mile course trail. After serving Tallahassee citizens for nearly 50 years, the community center was renamed for the former Lafayette Park center supervisor and City of Tallahassee Assistant Recreation Director Sue Herndon McCollum.
Providing both active and passive activities, with a wide variety of classes, the Sue McCollum Community Center at Lafayette Park is the ideal location for the entire family.
Camps
Summer Playcamp
Started in 1966 by former Parks Supervisor Sue McCollum, Playcamp is located near the Midtown area and is the city's oldest fee-based camp. Located in the beautiful Lafayette Park area, we offer a camp with small camper to counselor ratios and a fun mix of both active and passive games. Besides our 20-acre park area we feature a ballfield, playground, tennis courts and a multipurpose center with a gymnasium and classrooms. Camp is for 5-year old's (providing they have completed kindergarten) thru 12 years of age. Campers bring a lunch and a drink, and we provide a morning snack.
Playcamp Lottery registration will be Monday, April 7 from 9:00am - 9:00pm. Registration must be completed in person at the center. Since this is a lottery-based system, arrival time does not affect your chances.
The lottery drawing will take place the following morning, and all participants will be notified of their results the same day.
2025 Session Dates
- Session 1: June 2 - June 13
- Session 2: June 16 - June 27
- Session 3: June 30 - July 11 (Closed July 4)
- Session 4: July 14 - July 25
- Session 5: July 28 - August 1
For more Information on Playcamp at The Sue, call 850-891-3946 or email Tracy Davis.
Fun Day (Teacher Planning Days)
A scaled down version of our popular summer camp program held on specific days when kids are out of school for either a teacher planning day or a school holiday. Like Playcamp, the Fun Days are for campers ages 5 to 12 years old. Five-year-old's must be currently enrolled in kindergarten to participate. Campers bring a lunch and a drink; we provide a morning snack.
Registration is held two weeks prior to each event online at Talgov.com on a first come, first serve basis.
Spring Break, Turkey Day, and Holiday Camps
An extended version of Fun Days that are held for multiple days around Holidays and Spring Break when kids are out of school. Campers must be 5a-12 years old with 5-year-old eligible only if they are currently enrolled in kindergarten. Campers bring a lunch and a drink, and we provide a morning snack.
Registration is held two weeks prior to the camp's start date online at Talgov.com on a first come, first serve basis. You must register for the entire camp or session as its set up. No single day registrations are available.
Community Groups
The following groups hold meetings on a regular basis at our facility. If you would like further information on these groups, please call 850-891-3946.
- Lafayette Park Table Tennis Club
- Old Town Neighborhood
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
- Quilting
- TPD Housing
- C.O.N.A.
- Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club
- Crochet
- T.O.P.S.
About Sue Herndon McCollum
Sue Herndon McCollum was born November 1, 1934 in Pensacola, FL. After graduating from Washington County High School in Chipley, she attended Florida State University, earning a BS (1956) and MS (1957) in Recreation. While at FSU, Sue was a member of the "Flying High" Circus. Her love for and support of the Circus continues to this day and was shared with others when she organized the Little Big Top Circus at Lafayette Park. As a part of the department's youth program, this complete circus was the first of its kind in the United States. Sue's contributions to Tallahassee and the department are numerous, and her work with the Friends of our Parks Foundation has been invaluable.
Sue began her career with the City in 1957, when she was hired as the Assistant Director of the Lafayette Park Community Center. She served as the center's director from 1960-1967, and, after a brief stint with the Hollywood (FL) Recreation Department; she served as Superintendent of Recreation from 1969 until her appointment as Assistant Director in 1980. She retired from the City in 1994. Sue was married to former Leon County Commissioner J.B. McCollum, who passed away in 2003.
In addition to being active in civic, church and community groups, Sue has contributed in many ways to the recreation profession. She served five terms as Secretary of the Florida Recreation and Park Association, served as District 1 Director, served on Registration and Certification Committees, organized the annual state-wide Director's Seminar, and was a Certified Leisure Professional. She has received the FRPA Achievement Award (1968), the FRPA Merit Award (1977), the Trousdell-Vickery Award (1993), and the organization's highest honor, the Lifetime Award (1995).
David Chapman Field at Lafayette Park
David Chapman began his employment with the City of Tallahassee’s Parks and Recreation Department in 1972 after having been an active participant in the department’s programs and activities while growing up in Tallahassee. He started his career working as a Playcamp counselor at Lafayette Park and served in a variety of capacities including Assistant Center Supervisor at the Palmer Munroe Community Center, Supervisor of Recreation over special events and the City’s summer camp program, Administrative Supervisor over Capital Projects, Parks Division Superintendent, and Assistant Director. After a brief retirement in 2005, he agreed to return and served as Director of the department from 2005-2007. In his capacity as Parks Superintendent and Administrative Supervisor over Capital Projects, he oversaw a number of enhancements, renovations, and maintenance projects at Lafayette Park, including the ballfield. He also volunteered as a coach in the department’s athletic leagues for many years, including stints coaching football and baseball on the ballfield at Lafayette Park. As a resident of the Lafayette Park neighborhood since 1975, he and his wife along with their kids and grandkids have regularly utilized the park’s amenities and remain active participants in programs and events at the community center. On October 26, 2022, the City Commission unanimously voted to name the ballfield in his honor.