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

2007 Summer Program Report

1 May 07 through 3 Sep 07 (Labor Day)
4 Oct 07
For presentation to the CRPR Board on 11 Oct 07

Centre Regional Recreation Authority / Centre Region Parks & Recreation Board

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

Centre Region Parks & Recreation . . . Summer 2007

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 for the CRPR day camps. The numbers at Wee KID-Venture were down from last summer, but we made up for it with the strong increase in numbers at the KID-Venture Program. I attribute the increase to the addition of an 8th week at Park Forest and the attractive programming offered throughout the summer. We will continue to plan and organize creative and attractive camps. 2007 was the 2nd year for the Wild Wednesday Get-a-ways (weekly teen field trips) to exciting and fun locations in and around the Centre Region. The attendance was up this year and the teens that signed up seemed to enjoy themselves and were able to give good feedback for future trips. Touch-A-Truck was once again a very successful event for the community. We increased the number of trucks/vehicles, giving the kids more items to explore. I look forward to this much fun, if not more in 2008.

Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events

The Start Smart programs continue to grow and will be expanded in 2008. We are looking into the possibility of having an adult outdoor volleyball league as well at Spring Creek and/or Dalevue Park. Both youth and adult tennis lessons remain very popular and more sessions may be added as space allows in 2008.

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports & Fitness

There were 221 participants in the Centre County Senior Games, engaging in 8 different sporting events. Once again the modified indoor walk was offered, along with the traditional outdoor walking event. The indoor walking event was in an air-conditioned location, not timed or competitive, and this change made the program accessible to people with varied physical abilities. 

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director

* Some of these numbers were also included in the Winter/Spring 2007 Report.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center again hosted many group programs during this time period, as well as offered family activities, events, and birthday parties for children. The addition of the part-time Program Coordinator position at the center has been very effective in enabling staff to provide more programs than prior years. The Building Fund Campaign is continuing in the “Community Phase” and current pledges total $995,050 toward the local goal of $1,250,000.

Molly Hetrick, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center 

AQUATICS

The summer weather for 2007 was perfect for operating swimming pools. Except for having to close one day to locate and repair some major water leaks, operations were smooth. Season pass sales rose from prior years. Aquatic programs remained popular in the region, which is reflected in the 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 2008.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor

Parks Maintenance and Municipal Park Improvements

Our residents are fortunate to benefit from the park improvement projects by each participating municipality, coupled with those that involve CRPR resources. Some park projects from this past summer include:

•           State College Borough - New benches and trail signage have been installed at Walnut Springs Park. Two remembrance trees were planted at Lederer Park and one was planted at Holmes Foster Park. A wider bike path and new lighting fixtures are being installed at Central Parklet.

•           College Township - Additional overgrown areas at Fogleman Field were cleared and seeded with grass, and more than 500 feet has been added to the boardwalk at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Five remembrance trees were planted at Spring Creek Park and one was planted at Fogleman Field. The Township is moving forward on the planned construction of a restroom/storage building at the Fogleman Field. CRPR is also in the process of constructing the addition to the maintenance garage at Spring Creek Park.

•           Ferguson Township - Two Remembrance Trees were planted at Tudek Park, the barn at Tudek Park has been renovated for horses, and a horse pasture has been fenced and seeded there. New stone and wooden park entrance signs have been installed at Autumnwood Park. A Master Plan for improvements to the Tudek Park Dog Park has been completed.

•           Harris Township - An informational kiosk displaying the Master Plan has been installed at the Yoder Preserve. A new shingle roof was installed at the Kaywood Park pavilion by CRPR staff.

•           Patton Township - Two pavilions, 2 basketball courts, paved paths, expanded parking, and a disc golf course has been added to Circleville Park. The construction of the new Ambleside Park is almost complete.

 Greg Roth, Parks Supervisor

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