Sports : “Out on a Limb” With the Parks & Recreation Department

  I know that most of us are probably thinking the same thing- When is the sun coming out to warm it up.  I hope we are starting to see a change now and soon 70’s and 80’s will be the norm to kick off a great summer.  We have a lot of programs and activities taking place in May and of course the month of June really kicks off the majority of our summer programs.

  A big event that will be taking place this summer is the 2oth anniversary of Party in the Park.    This community family festival will be held on June 23-25.  This year we have three big days of activities that will provide every one of all ages some great fun.  We will soon be ordering t-shirts for the festival and annually on the back of the shirt we list our donors that make this festival a reality.  The deadline for those that want their name listed on the backs of the shirts is Friday, May 6th.  So get your donation in to the Park & Recreation office by Friday.  The Party in the Park committee has been working really hard to make this a great celebration, so mark your calendars for a fun family festival.

  As you can see by the calendars and the schedules listed below we have started summer hours at our facilities.  This means you can sharpen up your putting skills or just have a fun day at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center Miniature Golf Course.  We are on the abbreviated schedule while school is still in session and of course always give us a call if the weather is a little scary.  It is still one of our great treasures in Vinton, like the Palace Theater, it’s only $2.00 for a round and a lot of fun for the whole family.

    The Vinton Farmers Market will be held once again at the Rail Road Depot and will begin on Thursday, June 2nd.  Registration forms have been sent out to previous vendors but if you need a form or are interested in becoming a vendor, stop by the VPRD office and we will get you all set up.

  It is your final days to register your kids for all of the variety of summer programs listed below.  Summer registration has been over for awhile but we have still been taking registrations to this point.  We need to make decisions on teams and program sizes so if you are still wanting in, please register by this Friday, May 6th.

Programs that kids are eligible from our school district:

These are all based on this school year grades that the child was in.

4 & 5 Year Olds/( Did not attend Kindergarten)  Blastball- This is held on either Tuesday or Thursday from noon – 1:00 p.m.   This is an introductory program to t-ball and baseball/softball that is a lot of fun for the kids.  Actually it is a Blast!!      

Kindergarten/Golf Instruction- May 31 – June 4/Playground-June 6 – July 7/T-Ball – June 7 – 30

First Grade/Golf Instruction- May 31 – June 4/Playground-June 6 – July 7/Baseball/Softball– June & July

2nd – 4th Grade/Golf Instruction- May 31 – June 4/Playground-June 6 – July 7/

  Baseball/Softball– June & July/ Tennis - June Mondays

5th & 6th Grade/Golf Instruction- May 31 – June 4/ Tennis - June Mondays

Swim Lessons:

            Group Lessons:  June 6 – 17 or June 20 – July 11

            Private lessons:  All summer

Reduced rate pool passes will be sold beginning April 2nd and will end on May 26th.  The rates are as follows:

                                    2011 Regular Rates               April 2 –May 26

                                    Family - $107                          Family - $97

                                    Single -   $48                           Single  -  $43

                                    Book of Ten - $32

                                    Lap Swim Only - $32

                                    Senior Citizen - $28

Hershey’s Track & Field Meet/ May 17th at the Karr Athletic Complex

            This meet is for all youth that are ages 5-14 based on the age on December 31, 2011.  This is a free event to all participants but you must be registered by Thursday, May 12th.

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.

On Going Programs:

            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 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Register at the VPRD office.  This will run September through May.

     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        8:00 a.m. –   5:00 p.m.

                                    Saturdays                    Closed

                                    Sundays                      Closed

            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.

Miniature Golf Course   (Weather Permitting)

Friday                                                 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday                                              7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday                                               1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Walking:

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

Calendar of Upcoming Events: (Clip & Save)

            May     3         Special Populations Mini Golf/10:00 a.m.

            May      3         Bike Safety Rodeo/Recreation Center @ 5:00 p.m.

            May     8         Mother’s Day Mini Golf/1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

            May     12        VPRD Board meeting/Recreation Center @ 6:00 a.m.

            May     17        Hershey Youth Track Meet/4:00 p.m.

            May     26        Deadline for pre-season pool pass sales

            May     28        Swimming Pool Opens for the summer

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