Sue Herndon McCollum Community Center at Lafayette Park

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.

Hours of Operation
  • Monday-Friday: 7:30am - 9:00pm
  • Saturday: 2:00 - 5:30pm; 7:00 - 10:00pm
Full Class Schedule

Registration for summer classes begins on May 20 - with most classes starting the week of June 3.

Playcamp at The Sue

This year marks our 48th summer of providing camp for the children of Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Boys and girls from 5 to 12 years of age will enjoy a supervised day camp consisting of active and passive games in the setting of beautiful Lafayette Park. Our qualified staff will provide a fun and exciting summer that your children will never forget. Also included are swimming, arts and crafts and special events. For more information, contact Tracy Davis or Scott Sears.

  • Ages: 5 – 12 (5 year olds must have completed kindergarten)
  • Camp Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (free supervision provided between 7:30-9:00 am & 4:00-5:30 pm)
  • Cost: $210 per Two-Week Session
  • What Do They Need: Campers need to bring a lunch & a drink.
  • Registration Date For New Participants: Monday, May 6 at 9:00am
  • Session Dates:
    • Session 1: June 3 - 14
    • Session 2: June 17 - 28
    • Session 3: July 1 - 12 (No Camp on July 4)
    • Session 4: July 15 - 26
    • Session 5: July 29 - August 9
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 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).