Programs for everyone in the family offered by Maricopa’s Parks and Recreation Department

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Want to stay active? Do you have special interests you have always wanted to pursue? Wish your kids had more to do with all their energy and curiosity? If the answer to any or all of these questions is “Yes,” the City of Maricopa’s Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Department has something for you and everyone in your family to do.

The program began in the fall of 2004 with 18 offerings and 625 adults and children as participants. According to PRL Director Martin McDonald, “That’s pretty amazing since all our programs occur after 5:30 p.m.”

The PRL Department is proud to be offering 62 different programs, classes and sports for the Winter 2006 session. McDonald noted, ” I am excited to see the program grow rather quickly. There are a lot of cities in other parts of the United States that offer 20-30 programs at a time. Here, we have over 60 classes with no municipal facility to conduct them.”

“A big credit (and a pat on the back) goes out to the Maricopa Unified School District, especially Superintendent Alma Farrell and Rich Ralstin, the Activities Coordinator for MUSD,” added McDonald. “The district recognizes the value of Parks and Recreation in the community, and they have been very accommodating with our requests for space.”

Here is a quick look at the many types of programs offered this session:

Youth Activities
Yoga
Art
Crafts
Water coloring
Creative writing
Banking for kids
Baby Signs
Tiny Tot sports
Karate
Dance
Babysitter’s training
Pom and Cheer programs
Jr. Suns (see related story)
Soccer
Basketball
Flag football
T-ball and Coach Pitch baseball

Adult Activities
Women’s self-defense
Adult literacy program
Art
Dance
Writing
C.P.R.
Rubber-stamping
Memory quilt making
Scrapbooking
Real estate investing
Home loan seminar
Circuit training
Kickboxing
Yoga
Photography
Digital photography
Meditation
Step aerobics
Body conditioning
Ball and stretch
Flag football

The new issue of The Activator, the guide to all program descriptions, schedules and fees is available at City Hall and also online.

“Our biggest areas of demand are for our dance classes,” explained McDonald. “We started with three in the fall of 2004 and now have 12 classes to choose from for the Winter 2006 session. The program is excellent and helps build self-esteem as well as promoting an active lifestyle, something we need to do a better job of as a society. Our other biggest demand class is Tiny Tot Sports. We sold out 15 spaces in a day and a half last fall. I expect to sell out the program even quicker this time around.”

All registration is done on a first come, first serve basis. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 28. “I have already been notified by a few moms that they will be arriving early to secure a spot in line,” said McDonald.

Sign ups can be completed at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until the registration deadline, which is Friday, January 6, 2006, at 5 p.m.

McDonald noted, “It’s our goal to produce quality programs and special interest classes. Please let me know how I can better serve you and your family. We’re here for you!”

For further information, contact Director McDonald at (520) 568-9098, Ext. 204, or by email.