The Cure For Summer Boredom Children’S Programs At Spokane Parks Begin Wednesday; City Pools Open Monday

Although most kids could hardly wait for the bell to ring signifying the last day of school last Thursday, it won’t be long before they’re overcome by the deadly doldrums of boredom.

“There’s nothing to do,” they’ll whine. “We’re bored.”

Beginning Wednesday, which is probably just about the right time, the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department begins its summer season.

In 18 city parks will be activities in arts and crafts, nature, drama, music, dance, sports — and more — for kids between 4 and 17 years old.

Children will be supervised from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while they’re involved with the activities, but they are free to come and go as they choose, said Marion Severud, spokeswoman for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Mission Park, however, will be supervised from noon to 4 p.m. only.

Younger children should be accompanied by an adult or responsible older child.

Sign-up for the events, most of which are free, takes place the first day at the park.

And, if your child doesn’t have time to eat before leaving for a day of fun, breakfast and lunch is available, Severud said. The meals are free.

Besides having a good time, a literacy program will be available with an eight-week reading program in each park. This may include storytelling, staging plays or searching newspapers for unfamiliar words, then seeing who can be the first to find the meaning in a dictionary. A variety of creative techniques will be used to get children interested in reading.

Other activities, including sports, music, and arts and crafts, are planned for kids 4 to 12 years old, but those who are either younger or older can also join in.

Activities vary from park to park, so check with recreation leaders for specific details.

There will also be city-wide special events:

June 19, dessert day; June 25, soccer playday; June 30 and July 2, roller-skating; July 7, arts and crafts fair; July 9, Ashley Whippet, a Frisbee-catching contest for dogs; July 14 and 16, Wild Waters; July 21 and 23, campout at Liberty Lake; Aug. 6, penny carnival. Fees between $1 and $5 are charged for special events.

Participating parks are:

Audubon Park, Northwest Boulevard and Milton.

A.M. Cannon Park, 1900 W. Mission.

Cannon Hill Park, 500 W. 19th.

Chief Garry Park, 2500 E. Mission.

B.A. Clark Park, Garland and Division.

Coeur d’Alene Park, 2100 W. Third.

Corbin Park, 400 W. Park Place.

Friendship Park, 7400 N. Standard.

Glass Park, 600 E. Heroy.

Harmon Park, Market and Bismark.

Hays Park, 1700 E. Providence.

Manito Park (Upper), 25th and Tekoa.

Minnehaha Park, Euclid and Havana.

Nevada Park, Nevada and Joseph.

Pacific Park, Indian Trail Road and Lowell.

Rochester Park, Rowan and Napa.

Underhill Park, 2900 E. Hartson.

Westgate Park, Rifle Club and Old Fort roads(Comstock Park will have only the baseball, softball and basketball programs, with a charge of $19, which includes a T-shirt.) For more information, call 625-6200.

All of the city’s public outdoor swimming pools open Monday at 1 p.m.

Cannon, Liberty and Shadle pools will remain open through Aug. 30. .

The Hillyard, Comstock and Witter pools are open through Sept. 7.

Open swim hours are 1-5 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Those under 18 years old swim for free; adults pay $1.50.

In Spokane County parks, open swimming is Monday through Friday, 1-2:30 p.m., 2:45-4:15 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m.

The pool at Valley Mission Park, 11123 E. Mission, is also open 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:45-4:15 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission fee at all county pools is $1 for adults; children 5 and under swim free.

Other county parks with swimming pools are:

Park Road Park, 906 N. Park Road.

Terrace View Park, 24th and Blake.

Holmberg Park, 9615 N. Wall.