City, County Parks And Rec Offer Kids Fun-Filled Summer

Youngsters in Spokane can’t say there’s nothing for them to do this summer.

“Open Gym Night” and “Night Life” are two programs being offered to kids looking for a little nighttime activity.

And “Kids Play,” a new low-cost program sponsored by the Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department, will be offered to kids during the day.

Seventh- through ninth-graders from Glover Middle School, and high schoolers from North Central and Shadle Park are invited to attend open gym Thursday nights at Willard Elementary, 500 W. Longfellow, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Students must bring their school identification cards and wear gym shoes.

Dances will be held once a month starting tonight, July 31 and Aug. 28 - with music provided by DJs. Sports nights are July 10, 17, 24 and August 7, 14 and 21.

The events are sponsored by Spokane School District 81, the Spokane Police Department, North Hill Christian Church, North Hill COPS Shop and COPS Northwest. Holy Family Hospital and Empire and Wendle Ford auto dealerships also contributed money to the program.

The West Central Community Center’s “Night Life” program is open to kids ages 11 to 18 from throughout the city.

Activities offered include basketball, volleyball, board games, arts and crafts, movies, video games, pingpong and educational exercises.

The program runs every week, Tuesday through Thursday night from 8 p.m. to midnight. Van transportation is available for kids who live in the West Central, Emerson and Garfield neighborhoods.

The county’s summer offering is “Kids Play.” The drop-in program for children age 6 and older is offered at Pine River and Bear Lake county parks.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cost is $2 for admission to Bear Lake Park. Pine River is free.

“Kids Play” runs six weeks from July 7 through Aug. 15. Families can buy a $75 season pass for Bear Lake.

“It’s not meant to be a replacement for day care,” said Randy Johnson, head of recreation for the county. “A lot of the activities we’re planning will involve kids who are picnicking on the beach with their families. A lot of those kids will participate just for a half-hour or an hour, so mom can lie on the beach and read a book, or go for a hike for an hour.”

Programs will include games such as capture the flag, sports, crafts, swimming, hot dog roasts, as well as programs on the parks and their wildlife. There’s an additional fee for some activities.

Two staffers, one male and one female, will run the program. If enough children participate, other staff may be hired, Johnson said.

“With some of the things we’re planning, two staff can work as effectively with eight kids as 40 kids.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NEW LOW-COST PROGRAMS Kids Play is a drop-in program for children age 6 and older offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays beginning July 7 through Aug. 15 at Pine River and Bear Lake county parks. Cost is $2 at Bear Lake and free at Pine River. The program is not intended as a substitute for day care. Open Gym Night is open to seventh- through 12th graders from Glover Middle School, North Central and Shadle Park high schools from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays at Willard Elementary, 500 W. Longfellow. Student I.D. and gym shoes are required. Dances will be tonight, July 31 and Aug. 28; sports nights will be on July 10, 17, 24 and Aug. 7, 14 and 21. Night Life is open to youths ages 11 to 18 citywide, Tuesday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight at West Central Community Center. Activities will include basketball, volleyball, board games, arts and crafts, movies, video games, pingpong and educational exercises.