Kids Play Program Offered By County Parks

Spokane County’s Parks and Recreation Department is offering a new summer youth program.

Kids Play is a low-cost, drop-in program for children 6 years and older, to be run at Liberty Lake Park. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cost is simply the $2 admission fee to get into the park.

Kids Play will run for six week, from July 7 through Aug. 15. Families can buy a $75 season pass for Liberty Lake that would cover the program all summer.

“It’s not meant to be a replacement for day care,” said Randy Johnson, head of recreation. “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 hour, so mom can lie on the beach and read a book, or go for a hike.”

Programs will include games such as capture the flag, sports, crafts, swimming, weiner roasts, as well as programs on the park and its wildlife. Certain activities, like the weiner roast, will cost a nominal fee.

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.”

Kids Play programs also will be offered at Pine River and Bear Lake county parks in north Spokane.

The county offers swimming lessons at Liberty Lake, and at Valley Mission, Park Road and Terrace View pools. The first session of lessons starts June 23; registration on site opens June 19. For information on mail-in registration, cost of lessons, public swims and swim teams, call 456-4730. Or pick up a free county recreation guide, available at any country library.

, DataTimes