Published: May 20, 2008 10:32 am            

Parks department gearing up for summer

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — With summer waiting just around the corner, the Mt. Vernon Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for a fun-filled season for the entire family.

One program returning this year, according to George Bryant, city parks director, is the Movie in the Park. “We started this program last fall,” Bryant explained. “This is all part of the Family Adventure Series started last year emphasizing children and their family enjoying the outdoors.”

Bryant said city parks programs allows children to share experiences with their parents while also helping to strengthen the parent/child bond. Also, he said that there is “so much going on” for a child to be a part of in the park. “Sometimes it’s just as simple as a mother and her child sitting on a blanket and looking for that four-leaf clover,” he said.

Another program this year which mirrors the Movie in the Park is the Summer Music Festival. “This is something new,” Bryant said. “We’re going to have bands or concerts playing in the park on the band stage in July, August and September.”

Dates for Movie in the Park are June 27, July 18, Aug. 15, and Sept. 19.

Also returning this year is the day camp, which will begin June 2 and continue for eight weeks through July 25 for children ages 5-12, Monday through Friday.

The swimming pool is also being prepared for its opening day this weekend. According to Bryant, the pool will be open from 1 to 5:30 p.m. beginning Saturday. The park office is currently accepting fees and reservations for season passes, private parties and swim lessons. “Our staff, which involves not only lifeguards, pool management, recreation coordinator and myself, take the operation of the pool supervision of children and adults — we see it as a very responsible position to provide an aquatics facility in Mt. Vernon. The staff undergoes each year very specific mandatory training, and when our staff comes on duty, I’m confident of their skills and the training they’ve had to go through,” Bryant remarked.

For the sports-minded, flag football will begin in August for ages 6-8 and ages 9-11. Registration for women’s softball is also currently under way and will continue through May 30. There is a fee of $275 per team for a 10-game season and postseason tournament.

Registration for tennis lessons is also being taken. The first session starts June 9 with classes at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Summer yoga classes will begin June 2 and will run Wednesdays at 4 p.m. And there will also be an Urban Fishing Clinic, slated for next month, running through July. Specific dates and times, Bryant said, will be determined soon.

The park also is taking reservations for shelters and the Rolland Lewis Building for those who wish to hold parties, reunions or weddings, among others.

For more information on the programs available or to register for an event, contact the City Parks Department at 242-6890.

        

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