Et cetera : Out on a Limb: What's new with VPRD this month

“Out on a Limb”

With the

Parks & Recreation Department

Winter is quickly approaching and we are still trying to get all of our outdoor projects done in the parks and facilities. We were very fortunate to get our newest addition to Veterans Park completed recently and if you haven’t already visited the new memorial, take a few minutes and check it out. The Fallen Soldier Memorial is a great addition to the park and it wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of Ron & Carol Geiger, the VFW Post 8884 and the Amvets Post 218. The VPRD is very thankful for their kindness and I am sure veterans from our area and nationwide would be very proud of the new site. I have enclosed pictures for those who are not able to get to the park.

We have also received word that we possibly could be receiving a Howitzer to put on display at the park. We will keep you informed of the progress of this new development as we find out more information. This would be really cool to have at the park for everyone to appreciate.

It is also that time of the year when we need to shut down the restrooms and shelters in our city parks for the year. By this Friday, November 2nd, all of the restrooms & shelters will have the water shut off and lines blown out for the season. This will keep everything from freezing at night when the temperatures have been dipping down pretty cold. We did have a good season in the parks and we are just finishing up the clean up from the wind storm of 2011. It has been a long process and one that we hope we never have to go through again. Soon you will be hearing a lot about our newest Celebration Park located across the highway to the west from the Fire Station.

We have a lot of events and programs coming up soon, most of the youth will be receiving the flyers on the programs through their Friday folders at school. If you do not receive the information, go to our website or stop by the Vinton Recreation Center to get the flyers.

Don’t forget, you can always find out more information at our website at vprdzone.com or for more information on these programs or any of our programs, stop by the VPRD office located at the Vinton Recreation Center.

Upcoming Programs & Activities:

Fall Craft & Bake Sale/Saturday, November 3rd - Once again we have a lot of great vendors registered for this event that will be held at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We have vendors coming with jewelry, baked goods, crafts, quilts, lotions books, candles and lots of other different types of items. This is one of our best sales ever and you won’t want to miss this event. There will be some good lunch for sale also. If you have questions, give us a call.

Jack – O – Lantern Jump/Sunday, November 4th - Stop out and join us for this annual crushing of the jack-o-lanterns. This event will take place this Sunday beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Vinton Recreation center parking lot. This is your chance to bring your carved pumpkin from Halloween and launch it from the top of the pool waterslide tower to targets located 40 ft below. Some of the pumpkins will split all over the place, some will just squish on the spot and we even have some that take another trip to the top because they didn’t break at all. The great thing is it is a lot of fun and because of our great friends at Pizza Hut; you can win pizza for your tummy. Rain date will be Sunday, November 11th.

Parent/Child TurkeyShoot Free Throw Contest/Sunday, November 11th – Shoot your way to your holiday turkey. It only takes one dollar to possibly win that treasured Thanksgiving turkey. A team of one parent and child can enter one time to shoot free throws to win their division of this annual event. This shootout will take place at the Vinton Recreation Center at 2:00 p.m. Special thanks to Vinton Fareway for their great sponsorship. No pre-registration needed.

On Going Programs:

Tot Lot/ This program is designed for all youth in pre-school or younger. Tot Lot is held at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center on Mondays & Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. This not only gives kids a chance to burn off some energy and interact with other kids but it is also a great place for parents, grandparents and babysitters to have a few hours each week socializing and having fun with other adults. Participants may pay each day or purchase a season pass for the entire program. There are reduced rates for multiple kids from the same family or babysitter. Begins November 7th and runs through February 27.

Tae Kwon Do/Held at the Vinton Recreation Center on Tuesdays & Thursday evenings. Stop by the Recreation Center to watch the class or for more information.

Circuit Training/Get a total workout with this circuit program of 17 different machines in under an hour. This program is held at the middle school on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Register at the VPRD office. This will run through May.

Lap Swim/We are currently offering a lap swim program for those who would like to keep in shape or are training for their next triathlon. The pool will be open at the IBSSS on specific dates from 6:10 – 7:15 a.m. Stop by the Recreation Center to get specific dates and cost. Everyone must pre-register for each session at the VPRD office. There will be sessions available through mid-January.

Don’t forget you can always go to the Recreation Center during open hours to work out on the exercise equipment. Walking can be done in the gym, treadmill or our elliptical fitness piece. The Recreation Center is open the following hours:

Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sundays 1:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m.

Listed below are the hours for open skating. We are taking reservations for groups. If you are interested in renting the skate center for a birthday party, youth group gathering, or any get together, give us a call at the recreation center and we will set up a date for you. Stop out and have some fun.

Weekly Schedule for the Skate & Activity Center:

Open Skating

Friday 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.(IROAR 11/ 4 & 11/18)

Walking:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Calendar of Upcoming Events: (Clip & Save)

November 3 Craft & Bake Sale at Skate & Activity Center 8:00 – 1:00 p.m.

November 4 Jack-O-Lantern Jump at Recreation Center Parking Lot 2:00 p.m.

November 4 IROAR Racing at Skate Center/All day

November 7 Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

November 8 VPRD Board Meeting/Recreation Center 6:00 a.m.

November 11 Parent/Child Free Throw Shooting Contest/Recreation Center 2:00 p.m.

November 12 Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

November 14 Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

November 15 Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade/6:00 p.m.

November 18 IROAR Racing at Skate Center/All day

November 19 Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

November 22 Thanksgiving

November 26 Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

November 28 Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Don’t forget, we will take all your bottles and cans that are redeemable for five cents at the parks & recreation department. If you have cans or bottles and want to get rid of them, bring them to the park shop located just north of the swimming pool, bring them to the recreation center or give us a call and we will come out and get them. All proceeds go to a fund to help our youth programs. This program has already made a big impact.

In closing, if you have any questions concerning our programs, activities, or facilities, gives us a call, stop by or send us an e-mail.

VPRD Office 472-4164

Skate & Activity Center 472-5168

Director’s E-mail vprdrandall@vintoniowa.net

Assistant Director vprdbarker@vintoniowa.net

Administrative Assistant vprdoffice@vintoniowa.net

Website: vprdzone.com