Centre Region Council of Governments
Centre Region Parks & Recreation
2643 Gateway Drive #1, State College, PA 16801

Serving the Borough of State College and the Townships of College, Harris, Ferguson, Patton

2006 Summer Program Report

1 May 06 through 4 Sep 06

Centre Regional Recreation Authority/
Centre Region Parks & Recreation Board

Cindy Solic, Chair
Sue Mascolo, Vice-Chair
Kenneth Mawritz, Ph.D., Secretary
Roy F. Harpster, Treasurer
Donna Conway
Kathy Matason

28 Sept 06

As presented to the CRPR Board on 12 Oct 06

Centre Region Parks & Recreation . . . Summer 2006

Centre Region Parks & Recreation operates as a result of the ongoing cooperation of the five participating municipalities... cooperation that has been “hard at work” for over 40 years. This report quantifies the many public recreation programs that took place this past summer. However, programs represent only one aspect of our service to each municipality; an equally important responsibility involves maintaining municipal park facilities for residents to utilize for recreation on their own (as a family or with a group). Thanks to continued community support, it was an exciting summer for the agency and for Centre Region residents. “CRPR - Where Everyone Plays!”

Ronald J. Woodhead, Director

Overall, the summer went very well at all the camps. The numbers were down in the KIDVenture camps and I attribute that to so many other choices in the area. We must make sure we plan and organize creative and attractive camps. We did not offer the Supervised Playgrounds this summer for teens. Instead we had weekly field trips called Wild Wednesday Get-a-ways to exciting and fun locations in and around the Centre Region. The attendance was light, but the teens that took part really enjoyed themselves and were able to give good feedback for future trips. I look forward to offering this program again next year. Touch-A-Truck was once again a very successful and attractive event for the community. We increased our attendance and had fabulous comments from both participants and vendors. I look forward to the 3rd year in 2007 with more trucks and heavy equipment.

                                                                  Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events

The Start Smart Programs were new this summer and were very popular. Next summer more sessions will be added as well as Start Smart Football. The adult softball league remains very popular; adding a 3^rd adult field would enable us to add more teams to the league (we had 4 teams on the waiting list again this year).

                                         Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports & Fitness

In the Centre County Senior Games we had 220 enthusiastic participants and we offered a modified indoor walking event, at the same time as the traditional outdoor event. This was extremely successful in making the walking event more accessible to a broader range of peopl

                                                  Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director

* Some of these numbers were also included in the Winter/Spring 2006 Report.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center hosted programs by State College Area School District, ClearWater Conservancy, Scout groups, Shavers Creek Environmental Center, CALL, Youth Service Bureau, Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center, and Penn State University. Additional nature / educational, cultural, & historical programs will be held in the fall by CRPR and other organizations. The opportunity to have birthday parties at the marsh was added in 2005 and has been well received. With group programs, the center is limited by current facilities in it’s ability to increase program opportunities. The building fund campaign is also in progress and has raised over $500,000 in pledges to date.

                                                      Molly Hetrick, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center

 AQUATICS

The summer weather for 2006 was perfect for operating swimming pools. Operations were smooth, and season pass sales rose from prior years. Swim lessons are still relatively popular in the community, which is reflected in overall numbers. The “Family Fun Nights” at the pools (included in the Special Programs section on Page 3) were again very successful and will be continued in 2007.

                                                                         Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor

Parks Maintenance and Municipal Park Improvements

Some municipal park projects from this past summer include:

•           State College Borough - Added a twin slide, bridge and climbing wall to the “Big Red” playground apparatus and installed a fire engine play structure and an “antique style” accessible drinking fountain at Holmes Foster Park.

•           College Township - Two pavilions and a drinking fountain were installed at Fogleman Fields Park.

•           Ferguson Township - (In progress) the installation of information kiosks at the larger parks.

•           Harris Township - Added 3 new spring riders to the playground at Countryplace Park. Constructed a parking area and added seven benches along paths at the Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve.

•           Patton Township - Installed a pavilion and swing set at Marjorie Mae Park.

                                                         Greg L. Roth, Parks Supervisor

Report Compiled by Todd A. Roth, Aquatics Supervisor, & Ronald J. Woodhead, Director