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RECREATION REPORT
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RECOMMENDATION
Informational Item Only
Recreation staff to provide informational updates on Youth Sports, Mobile Recreation, Aquatics, Cooling Zones, Fireworks Safety Demonstrations, and the Public Art Mural Program.
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Summary
Youth Sports
The Junior Giants Program for 2024 is currently underway with nearly 300 Stockton youth participating. This flagship program of the Giants Community Fund is a free, noncompetitive, coed baseball and softball program for children. The program focuses on Character Development and provides curriculum in Health, Education, and Bullying Prevention.
Summer Basketball
The basketball registration for our Smart Start (Ages 2-4), Steppingstones (Ages 5-6), and Youth Leagues (Ages 7-14) just ended, and play is set to begin on July 13.
Fall Flag Football and Volleyball
We are currently accepting registration for our development and recreation youth flag football and volleyball leagues through August 11. While our developmental programs for younger children use age-appropriate curriculum and modified equipment to teach fundamentals, our leagues for older youth promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and skill development following more traditional rules of play. A 25% scholarship can be requested when registering in person at one of our centers.
Mobile Recreation
Our mobile recreation program was delayed by two weeks due to issues with the vehicle. The updated schedule has been made available to the public on our Facebook page and in the activity guide online. The program launched on June 17 and will be operating four days per week at various neighborhood parks through July.
Aquatics
The Community Services Department aquatics programs are now open at Brookings, Holiday, and Oak Park Pools. Recreation Swim is currently being offered Tuesday - Sunday at each pool location, and Summer Swim Lessons are being finalized with July’s swim lesson schedule being released the last week of June.
Cooling Zones
In response to the heatwave that was felt on June 4, 5, and 6, 2024, the Community Services Department identified our community centers as Cooling Zones for the public. The Cooling Zones were opened for those seeking an area to keep cool and get out of the heat. Center staff offered seating in air-conditioned areas and water, and attendees were encouraged to bring books, games, and electronic devices. We typically open Cooling Zones 10 -20 days each summer when the National Weather Service forecasts excessive heat conditions for Stockton.
Fireworks Safety Demonstrations and Education
This week we will host our annual Community Fireworks Safety Demonstrations and Education Sessions at each community center in partnership with the Stockton Fire Department and the Stockton Police Department. These demonstrations are planned to teach the community about the proper handling and disposal of safe and sane fireworks, the dangers of illegal fireworks, and how to report illegal fireworks. Each session begins at 6:30 pm at each location and Fire Personnel will be on hand to answer questions from the public. The locations and dates are as follows:
Tuesday, June 25 - Arnold Rue Community Center
Wednesday, June 26 - Seifert Community Center
Thursday, June 27 - Stribley Community Center
Friday, June 28 - Van Buskirk Community Center
Public Art Mural Program
The Stockton Arts Commission has selected three artists to paint murals through the City’s new public art mural program. The selected locations include the Market Parking Garage, the Coy Parking Garage, and the Oak Park Senior Center. Staff are in the process of executing agreements with the selected artists with the hope the murals will be installed by the end of 2024.