Parks round-up: Earth Day, spring sports, new hoops, summer jobs

/
Screen Shot 2021-04-25 at 6.44.07 PM.png

The following report was submitted by Brian Hall, recreation supervisor for Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board’s Waite Recreation Center.

More than two dozen community members on Saturday helped do their part to keep the park and community clean as part of the MPRB’s Earth Day event.

We had 10 adults and 16 kids brave our chilly, windy morning walking around the park grounds finding trash and recyclables. Earth Day can be everyday if we all chip in to do our part. 

Other parks news:

• Spring sports practices are kicking off this week (April 26) with 61 kids signed up across levels and ages 5-13 years old. We will be making 6U T-ball and two 8U Coach Pitch teams, 10U baseball and 10U girls softball team and a 12U baseball team. We are looking for more players on the girls slow pitch softball team. 10U girls softball Birthdate ranges 9-1-2010 to 9-1-2012

• I would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to our VOLUNTEER COACHES! Without them, these kids would have no team. They include Luke Middendorf, Quang Nguyen, Will Dawkins, Jim LePlavy, Michelle Donovan, Nathan Ferguson, Jason Sellers Philip Markose, Clay Carter, Chris Rath, Jon Morgan. 

• Waite Park Rec Plus school-age childcare program fall registration begins Monday, April 26 at noon. Waite is a popular site, so sign up early for those families looking for care before school 7-10am and after school 2-6pm.  More info please contact our lead childcare staff Colleen at Waite Park.

• Our new basketball hoops are up and in action! They are adjustable and currently one is at 8 feet and the other at 9 feet with the 10-foot hoops on the full court. Come join in the fun, now for all ages!!

• We also will be getting a bang board for the tennis court for those who want a little more practice alone. Funds provided by WPCC general park programs and equipment allocations.

• Summer is right around the corner, we will have staff back — primarily outdoor supervision and drop-in leaders. Job opportunities are available — check out the parks job page. Current part- and full-time openings include: aquatics attendant, aquatics instructor, gardener, golf course park keeper, lifeguard and head lifeguard, park keeper, plumber, police officer, and seasonal equipment operator.

• Waite wading pool will open after school is out on June 12th. Outdoor restrooms will open alongside pool operations, they will also be available while sports teams are practicing or playing games.