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RECREATION REPORT
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Informational Item Only
Recreation staff to provide informational updates on Youth Sports, Mobile Recreation, Aquatics, Cooling Zones, Fireworks Safety Demonstrations, National Parks and Recreation Month, 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) concluded in June and play for this basketball season started July 13 in the community centers.
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 summer 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 the end of July.
Aquatics
The Community Services Department aquatics programs were opened following the Memorial Day weekend at Brookings, Holiday, and Oak Park Pools. Recreation Swim is currently being offered Tuesday - Sunday at each pool location, and Summer Swim
Lessons started this month. The aquatics staff received over 150 registrations and plans to open more times in the afternoon and early evening in August.
Cooling Zones
In response to the heatwave that was felt on June 4 - 6 and July 1 - 13, 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
In June we hosted 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.
National Parks and Recreation Month
For nearly 40 years, the National Recreation and Park Association has chosen July to promote building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. This month is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers who maintain the country’s local, state, and community parks. This year's theme, “Where You Belong”, celebrates the many ways park and recreation professionals across the country foster a sense of belonging in their community by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections. On July 9, Commission Calder received a City of Stockton Proclamation supporting July as Parks and Recreation Month and our Department has celebrated the month in the activities and events we’ve conducted. Additionally, we will be supporting the Parks Division on Tuesday, July 23 at 6:00 to dedicate the new playground being installed at Sandman Park.
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.