title
RECREATION REPORT
recommended action
Informational Item Only
Recreation staff to provide informational updates on Community Center Special Programs in October, Adult Sports, and Van Buskirk Park Renovation Project
body
Summary
Community Center Special Programs in October
In addition to normal day-to-day activities, the community centers will be offering a few special programs during October. First, Fall Discovery Camp will be offered from September 30 - October 11. Camps are offered from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM while schools are on break and our trained recreation leaders create a safe, fun environment with personal attention in small groups. Campers meet new friends, play sports and games, create crafts, participate in STEM activities, and enjoy social time. The cost of these camps is $84.00 per week and $63.00 for siblings. 25% scholarships are available on request when submitting a registration form at any of our facilities. Families can also register their children online.
Second, the week of October 21, 2024, is when the community centers will host our annual free and family-friendly Fall Harvest Festivals. Attendees will enjoy Fall-themed crafts, candy, games, and refreshments. Each community event will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 PM and the following are the dates and locations:
Seifert Community Center - Monday, October 21
Stribley Community Center - Tuesday, October 22
Arnold Rue Community Center - Wednesday, October 23
Van Buskirk Community Center - Thursday, October 24
For more information on these and all our Fall activities and events, check out our Fall Activity Guide now available at www.stocktonca.gov/recreation.
Adult Sports
The Fall Seasons for our Adult Softball, Basketball, and Volleyball are currently underway. The Fall Season is our last season of the calendar year for Adult Softball, which concludes with playoffs in late October. In addition to the Fall Basketball and Volleyball seasons, we are accepting team and individual registrations for our Winter Adult Sports Leagues now through December. The Adult Sports staff are also working on plans to launch an Adult Pickleball League coming in the Spring of 2025.
Van Buskirk Park Renovation Project
In April 2024, the City Council approved to accept $7,016,086 in grant funding from the California Statewide Parks Program. The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, also known as the Statewide Park Program (SPP), is administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation and funds the creation of new parks and new recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California. The City of Stockton was awarded a grant through Round 4 of the Statewide Park Program for the 1st phase of the Van Buskirk Park Renovation Project. In addition, the City is hoping for a positive response at the Federal level for a match to our State grant funds, and we have received approximately an additional $1.35M in discretionary funds from Representative Josh Harder’s Office to support the project.
This first phase of the park renovation will focus on repairing the existing basketball courts, the creation of (2) new basketball courts, and the construction of a new skate park, BMX track, and bike trails. The project scope will include all associated landscape planting and irrigation, lighting, signage, fencing, and site furnishings for those specific recreational features.
It is estimated the entire project will exceed $75.5M in costs and the City will be actively applying for additional grants at the State and Federal levels to assist with the project’s completion. We will be taking a phased approach to completing new park amenities as funding becomes available.