Fall 2005 Program Report
September - December 2005

Centre Regional Recreation Authority/ Centre Region Parks & Recreation Board (2005)

Cindy Solic, Chair                                            Patton Twp.
Daniel G. Linzell, Ph.D., P.E. , Vice-Chair          State College Borough
Kenneth Mawritz, Ph.D., Secretary                      SCASD
Roy F. Harpster, Treasurer                                 Harris Twp.
Sue Mascolo                                                    Ferguson Twp.
Kathy Matason                                                 College Twp.

Centre Region Parks & Recreation . . . Fall 2005

The staff of CRPR is pleased to present this report on the Fall 2005 programs offered to residents of the Centre Region. The longstanding efforts of five municipalities to jointly provide public recreation services continues to pay dividends to those residents. The operation of these programs, combined with opportunities for recreation at our municipal parks, truly made many smiles happen (as well as encouraging the “smilers” to be active and healthy)!

                                                                                                                   “CRPR - Where Everyone Plays!”
                                                                                                             Ronald J. Woodhead, Director

Programs & Special Events

Fall 2004

Fall 2005

Dance Classes: The Beginning Ballroom and Square Dancing classes were the only ones to accept new members in the Fall. Class numbers have both increased and decreased in the past year, but Carter & Ruby Ackerman always give a great deal of time and hard work for these classes each session. CRPR is pleased to have maintained this positive relationship for many years and we look forward to 2006.

Municipal Band Concert: The SCAMB performed a Veteran’s Day Concert titled American Salute A selection of All-American music created an entertaining atmosphere. The attendance numbers were a bit higher then last season, which was pleasing to the members of the band.

Halloween Parade: This year’s parade was dampened slightly by the snow and the cold weather. We still had a turnout over 1,000 participants (plus parents) and everyone seemed to enjoy the atmosphere . Volunteers were invaluable and the SC Lions Club gave away plenty of treats and wonderful prizes for the costume judging.

Dark in the Park: This year’s event had the highest attendance for the last 3 years. The great fall weather set a fabulous tone for the evening at Sunset Park. We had 4 storytellers and they were successful at capturing the crowd’s attention and even creating a bit of a scare, now and then. The partnership of CRPR and Schlow Memorial Library plays a large part in the success of this annual event.

                                                                                                    Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events

Centre Region Senior Center	Fall 2004	Fall 2005
Noontime Meals Served (4 days per week, Sep-Dec)	1,136 Noontime Meals	1,213 Noontime Meals
Visits to Programs & Special Events (Sep-Dec)	9,766 Program Visits	10,209 Program Visits

Due to the cooperation of the County Office of Aging, Mount Nittany Medical Center, and Nittany Home Health Service, we were able to offer 256 free flu shots to seniors. In addition, the Senior Center initiated "Moving Freely" a new fitness program cosponsored by Mount Nittany Medical Center.

                                                                                                                Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director

Fitness & Sports	Fall 2004	Fall 2005
Pee Wee Soccer Program	30	17
Judo Instruction	16	14
Tennis Lessons	Not offered	15 (+ 6 on wait list)
Youth Wrestling	20	13
Cross Country Meets c/o Nittany Valley Track Club	67 at 3 meets	69 at 3 meets
Smart Start Marksmanship	Not offered	17
Smart Start Golf	Not offered	9
Smart Start Lacrosse	Not offered	12
Girl’s Rhythmic Gymnastics	Not offered	10 (+ 4 on wait list)
Coed Gymnastics (Tumble Tots, Jumpin’ Gymnastics, Youth Gymnastics)	65	33
Total YOUTH Participants	198	209

Rhythmic Gymnastics: This was the first season for this new sport and the class was full with 4girls on the waiting list. The instruction was top quality. Program evaluations from the parents & participants revealed a well run class where participants benefitted from what the class had to offer.

                                                                                                    Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events

The new youth sport programs implemented in the fall of 2005 (golf, lacrosse and marksmanship) were very popular and we received good feedback from parents. These programs will be offered again in 2006. The adult sports and fitness programs continue to be very popular and remain financially self-supporting. The Flag Football League grew to 11 teams and hopefully will expand to 2 divisions in 2006.

                                                                                                    Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports & Fitness

Although the numbers have decreased, CRPR’s youth swimming lessons continue their popularity. The Fall lessons were again offered over three sessions (prior to 2004 only two were offered).

                                                                                                     Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center	Fall 2004	Fall 2005
Bird Walks	4 on 2 walks	0 on 3 walks
Family Programs (Fall Walk, Explorer’s Series, Tree Trimming for the Birds, Homeschool Programs)	117 at 7 programs	57 at 3 programs
Visitors for Facility Rentals & Off-site Programs	123	235
Knee-High Naturalist	71	67
Birthday Parties (new in 2005)	Not offered	25
Special Events & Meetings (Historic Harvest Fest. and Spring Creek Day)	151	600
Staff-Guided Group Program visitors	830	1,260
Total Visits:	1,296	2,244

Fall season for Staff-guided group programs was very full and reached our goal of creating a Fall schedule similar to that of Spring. Fall programs were taught by pre-service teachers enrolled in Science Education at PSU who volunteered as part of a class project. Historic Harvest Festival and Spring Creek Day both had record high attendance this fall. Birthday parties were started during Spring 2005 and continued into Fall.

                                                                                                    Molly Hetrick, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center

Parks Maintenance Projects

Some park maintenance highlights from this past fall include:•Ten remembrance trees were planted; funds for 266 trees have been donated since 1994;

•            Major turf renovations were performed at the athletic fields at Circleville, Spring Creek and Homestead Parks.

•            College Township’s Fogleman Field complex opened for soccer play; the park has already proved to be very popular with players and parents.

•            A climbing wall was installed at Blue Spring Park.

•            Sod was removed and infield mix was added to the leased ballfield at Ferguson Elementary.

•            A new swing set was installed at Homestead Park.

•            A milestone in the construction of the wet lab at MMNC was reached with the completion of the new concrete floor, new support beams, and drainage - funded by the EPA Wetlands Education Grant.

                                                                                                    Greg Roth, Parks Supervisor