Parks & Recreation Update for September 17, 2009
Date:
09/17/2009 (Last updated: 09/21/2009)Summary:
Weekly Parks & Recreation update.Contact:
Come Out And Play Day Is Saturday; Punt, Pass & Kick; Dog Park Opening; Doggie Day Swim; Co-Rec OTL; Rum Tasting; Arts Project Grants; Beginning Kayak
Come Out And Play Day
The 6th annual "Come Out and Play Day" is set for 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday at Kennedy Park. This totally free, something-for-everyone event will be a Saturday morning filled with games, activities, and swimming for children of all ages and their families to play and have fun. This is your chance to sample what Yuma Parks and Recreation has to offer. The pool will be open, so don't forget your swimsuit and towel.
Parks and Recreation is please to announce that skateboarders from 1031 Skate Board Team will be here in Yuma during the 6th Annual Come Out and Play Day. Kristian Svitak, Chad Knight, and Dan Nepscha will be at the Kennedy Skate Park from 9 a.m. to noon, showing off their best stuff and finishing off with a hard trick to get everyone watching gassed up. After they do their tricks, the 1031 Skate Team will be available for autographs and have t-skirts, stickers and skate board decks to raffle off and will spend time skating with our own boarders. The three members of 1031 Skate Board Team tour around the United States promoting the sport of skateboarding and are skate park designers for Landscape Structures.
Annual Grass Seeding
Over seeding will begin on Sept. 24 through Oct. 8 by parks maintenance at the parks.
Creative Playground closed Wednesday
The Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 23 so that maintenance staff can do a complete wash, some touchup painting, and pebble flex repairs on the playground. The playground will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 24.
NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick
Boys and girls ages 8 to15 can compete for a chance to play during halftime of an NFL football game by participating in our local Punt, Pass & Kick competition. It will be held 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 at the Kennedy Athletic Complex, Kennedy Lane north of 24th Street. Register on site; make sure to bring a birth certificate. Oh, one more thing...it's FREE!!!
Dog Park Grand Opening
Yuma Parks and Recreation Department and members of the Dog Park Citizens Committee are pleased to announce the opening of Yuma's first dog park on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. The dog park is located at 1705 E. Palo Verde St.
Please join us for the grand opening for this newest community amenity. The opening includes a ribbon cutting, messages, and well wishes from community dignitaries. Opening festivities also include a Blessing of the Animals facilitated by Monsignor Richard W. O'Keeffe of Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma. The annual Blessing of the Animals is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures.
Once officially opened, Yuma's 3.35-acre dog park will be open six days a week, Wednesday through Monday from dawn until 9 p.m. The park is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.
Co-Rec OTL Softball
For the first time ever, the Parks & Recreation Department is offering a Co-Rec OTL Tournament! Teams will be made up with one female player and one male player. This is your chance to get out and try a sport that has been taking the southwest by storm. The cost is $40 per team if you register by Sep. 25; $50 afterward as space allows. The fun starts at 8 a.m. on Oct. 3 at Kennedy Athletic Complex.
Beginning Kayak Class
Beginning Kayak class will introduce folks ages 11 and up to the exciting world of kayaking. Learn all the basic fundamentals of kayaking and have fun at the same time. The one-day class meets from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 26at Kennedy Pool. To finish up the class, students will be transported to our local water ways for a short trip on the river, using the skills that they have learned. The cost is $35; $23 with City resident credit. Call 373-5243 to register.
Yuma Tree And Landscape Expo
Come on out to the Yuma Tree and Landscape Expo on Saturday, Oct. 24 to learn everything you need to know about trees and landscaping. There will be workshops, vendor displays, guest speakers, plant sale, raffle prizes, and a tri-tip lunch. The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. for the expo, which will begin at 8 a.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive. Cost is $4 without the lunch or $7 with lunch. Kids 12 and under get in free with a $7 paid adult and receive a free lunch.
Rum Tasting At Desert Hills
Join the Bacardi rum purveyors for a rum tasting on Friday, Sept.25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Putter Inn, the restaurant at Desert Hills Golf Course, 1245 W. Desert Hills Drive. The tasting features several Bacardi rum flavors served straight and in mixed drinks such as the popular Mojito, an apple Bacardi cocktail, Peach on the Beach, BLT Recipe (yes, it is a drink, not a sandwich), and Bacardi Remix. All of the cocktails included in the tasting will be served with a delicious appetizer pairing.
Tickets are $22 per person and are available for advance purchase by calling Desert Hills Restaurant at 373-5230. Please note that tickets will not be sold at the door and seating is limited.
Arts Project Grants Deadline Approaching
Nonprofit Yuma arts organizations still have time to apply for funding a public performance, project, or exhibition. The deadline to submit an application is 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. Dozens of exciting, innovative arts performances, programs and exhibitions have received funding and been presented at the Art Center by various local arts groups since the program's inception. The City of Yuma Arts & Culture Commission was pleased to recently announce its renewal for the sixth year with more than $42,000 in funds available. Applicants must be a 501c(3) nonprofit Yuma organization, a Yuma educational institution or agency, or department of local government and have matching funds prior to receiving a grant. Project grant applications are available at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St., or call 373-5202.
Culinary Arts – Kids Kakes
Learn to decorate some cute cupcakes to give away or eat for yourself. This class is for kids, ages 8 to teen and will be held on Saturdays, Sept. 26 and Oct.3. Cost is $9; $6 with City resident credit plus supplies. Call 373-5202 to register.
Power Up Kids Club
This exciting and unique after-school program will bring kids together. There will be puppets, clowning, songs, snacks and more at the first Power Up Kids Club event, held at the Yuma Readiness & Community Center, 24th Street and Araby Road, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24. It's open to pre-K through 12th grade, and it is free. Call 373-5243 for more information.
MLK Teen Center
Are you a teen looking for a cool place to hang out after school and on the weekends? The MLK Teen Center has foosball, ping pong, video games, billiards, art & cooking classes, and more all for your enjoyment. It's only $8 for a year's membership and the teen center is open 6 days a week. Come check it out or call 373-5234 for more information.
Take Pride In Yuma
- Six sprinklers were damaged by unknown person/persons at Kennedy Park causing $150 in damages.
- The toilet paper holder in the restroom at the West Wetlands Park was pulled off the wall causing $75 in damage.
- The drinking fountain at Keegan Park's restroom was damaged costing taxpayers $100.
- There were 103 cases of graffiti abated this past week of Sept. 9-15.
Please join us for the next Take Pride in Yuma volunteer event, happening the morning of Saturday, Sept. 26 at the site of the new dog park, 1705 E. Palo Verde St. Call Ron at 373-5228 if you are interested in attending.
Graffiti cleanup and vandalism currently costs the Yuma taxpayers over $200,000.00 per year. Please help us reduce vandalism by reporting incidences of crime to 78-Crime (782- 7463) and graffiti to the Grafitti Busters hot line, 329-2828. If you witness a crime in progress, call 911.
Tickets and Registration
Tickets to Art Center, Historic Theatre or Civic Center events can be purchased by phone, in person or online. The Art Center and theatre box office is located at 254 S. Main St., or call 373-5202. The Civic Center is located at 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive just off Avenue A at 36th Street, or call 373-5040. Tickets to shows at both locations are online at www.YumaAZ.gov/events.
Register for Parks and Recreation events, activities, classes, etc. online at www.YumaAZ.gov/ParksAndRecreation. Call 373-5200, or stop by the Parks and Recreation office on the first floor of City Hall, One City Plaza (between 1st and Madison avenues at Giss Parkway) between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other Friday (closed alternating Fridays).
For More Information
For further information, please contact Greg Hyland, CPM, the City of Yuma's Director of Communications & Public Affairs at (928) 373-5023 or by e-mail or Dave Nash, City of Yuma Public Affairs Coordinator at (928) 373-5015 or by e-mail.
