Parks & Recreation Update for July 19th

07/19/2012 | Dave Nash, Public Affairs Coordinator

It's National Parks and Rec Month

Yuma Plays Summer Giveaway; Calendar; Exhibit

A special Parks and Recreation Month event calendar of activities and event ideas is available for free in the City Hall lobby. While at City Hall, visitors may view Then and Now - A Reflection, a series of framed photographs and newspaper articles that juxtaposes Parks and Recreation events, facilities and milestones of the past with their place in the present.

Also at City Hall, fill out an entry form for a chance to win one of four free prize packages up for grabs in the Yuma Plays Summer Giveaway. One representative per household, 21 or older, may enter to win a kayak trip for 12 down the Colorado River; an "It Had To Be You" theater package for four; a Desert Hills Golf package for four; or a pool party for 12 at the Valley Aquatic Center. Drawing will be held July 31; winners need not be present and will be notified (hint - it helps to properly fill out your entry form and make it legible!). Prizes are not transferable. No purchase necessary. Additional rules may apply.

Events Happening at Historic Yuma Theatre, Yuma Art Center, Yuma Civic Center, Desert Sun Stadium

Historic Yuma Theatre and Yuma Art Center events, 254 S. Main St.

• Summer Six Pac 2012 - A summer of exceptional live theater experience runs through Aug. 12. Next up is the COYEA presentation of "California Schemin'," July 20-22 at the Historic Yuma Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children13 and under. This comedy about a small-time hustler in a desperate fight to save his home and office from demolition - sought by his estranged wife and her boyfriend in scheme they think will make them millions - is full of hilarious twists and turns as inventor, an oil heiress, a would-be comic and a gay activist each join the plot.
• Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28 at 7 p.m., don't miss "Fame, Jr." at the Historic Yuma Theatre. This family-friendly show is set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street. "Fame Jr." is the bittersweet but ultimately inspiring story of a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. With candor, humor, and insight, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today. This show is presented by the Infinite Imagination Youth Theatre of the Yuma Art Center.
  Purchase tickets at our ticket outlets, online at www.yumaaz.gov/events, or call 373-5202 (Art Center/Theater) or 373-5040 (Civic Center) for more information.

Pools and Aquatics

Regular pool hours are under way for June. Here's where you can cool off:

• Valley Aquatic Center, 4381 W. 18th St., offers open swim Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 to 7:45 p.m. through Sept. 25. Fees are $2.50 for children under 18 ($2 with City resident credit) and $5 for adults ($3.50 with City resident credit).
• Kennedy Pool, 23rd Street and Kennedy Lane, is open 1 to 5:45 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 5; 1 to 3:45 p.m. and again 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays through Aug. 3. Daily admission for youth 17 and under is $2; $1.50 for City residents and $4.50 per adult 18 and over or $3 for City residents.
• Marcus Pool, 5th Street and 5th Avenue, offers free open swim 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 2 thanks to the generosity of the Yuma Rotary Club.

Family, monthly and season passes are available for purchase at the Parks and Recreation Office (ONLY) on the first floor of City Hall, One City Plaza. Family passes are for immediate family use only.

High School Swim Conditioning takes place 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Mondays through Fridays through July 31 at Valley Aquatic Center for grades 9-12. Sign up for a monthly pass with Yuma Parks and Rec.

During the five weeks that Youth Water Athletics is offered (July 2 through Aug. 3 at Kennedy Pool), swimmers will be introduced to four competitive swim strokes; Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and the Butterfly stroke and will compete in a weekly swim meet every Thursday.  Water Athletics is offered at Kennedy and Marcus Pools.  Diving is limited to 15 participants at each pool.  Weekly diving meets will be held at Marcus Pool on Thursday evenings at 4:30 p.m. and swim meets from 5 to 7 p.m. Swimming is for children 5 to 14 and swimming ability must be up to 25 yards; diving is for ages 8-14. Fees apply; register with Parks and Recreation.

Events Happening In A Park Near You

• Summer Skate Park Championship Series
  Come out and try your best moves during the Summer Skate Park Championship Series, 7 to 11 p.m. July 19 ("Championship Night") at the newly renovated Kennedy Skate Park. Let's find out who the best skaters in Yuma ages 12-18 are. Awards will be given to the winners of each event. It will be a great time of music, friends, and skateboarding. Fee: $1 per event.
• Splash Out Crime Night is Aug. 4
  The 2012 Splash Out Crime Night takes place 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug.4 from at Valley Aquatic Center, 4381 W. 18th St. Entry to the event is only $1 and features unlimited access to Yuma's favorite pool complex, music, games, prizes, a dunk tank and lots of fun. Concessions will be available. This anticipated annual fundraiser is hosted by the City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department, Yuma Police Department and 78-Crime Stoppers Inc. for the purpose of raising funds for 78-Crime, the anonymous crime tip line that offers reward money for applicable crime tips. These rewards are made possible through donations and support from the community and are coordinated by 78 Crime Stoppers Inc., a nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of directors to serve the greater Yuma area.

Recreation Events

Paul Riley Late-Night Softball Tournament

The men's 12-inch tournament will take place July 27-28 at various City softball fields. Round-robin play will be followed by A/B playoff. Teams are guaranteed 4 games minimum. While early registration concluded Jan. 5, 2012, for $250 per team plus $24 ASA registration. Register with the City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department at 928-373-5243 for $235 per team plus $24 ASA sanction fee.

Youth Programs

• Yuma Boys Baseball League (YBBL) - Fall
  The fall YBBL season runs Aug. 7 through Nov. 9, with early registration taking place June 11 through July 5. All new Minor and Major division players must attend the clinic at Cibola Athletic Complex on Aug. 7 and all new junior high players must attend the clinic on Aug. 8. Divisions are sorted by school grade level between kindergarten and grade 8 Registration is taken at City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Office. For more information, go to http://www.yumaboysbaseballleague.com/.
• Fall Yuma Youth Fast-Pitch (Girls) League
  Season runs Aug. 7 through Nov. 2, with registration ($60 per player) taken June 11 through Aug. 2 at the City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Office. All new Minor Division (grades 3-5) and Major Division (grades 6-8) players must attend the clinic at Joe Henry Athletic Complex on Aug. 7. For more information, please contact 928- 750-6065 or email yyftleague@yahoo.com.
• Speed, Strength and Agility Training
  This program is an introduction to sports training for ages 10 to 14. Participants will train using advanced training equipment and techniques. Plyometric and interval training will be introduced for power and explosiveness. Participants are sure to get faster, stronger, and more athletic all while having a great time. Classes meet 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the two remaining summer sessions: July 2 through July 12 or July 16 through Aug. 26, at the Yuma Civic Center.Fee: $39; $27 with City resident credit. Call or visit Parks and Rec to register.

Youth Activities

• STEM Arizona Science Center
  • Day: Monday through Friday
  • Session I: July 23 through July 27, 2012
  • Session II: July 30 through August 3, 2012
  • Time: 9 a.m. to noon
  • Location: North End Community Center
  • Ages: 5 - 13
  • Fee: $140.00
  • The Arizona Science Center is in Yuma looking for the next generation of astronauts. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program: STEM Space Camp welcomes you on an outer-space adventure. Together we'll explore the deepest regions of space and learn about the vast universe.

Adult and Senior Activities

• Arts and Crafts
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 30
  • Time: 9 a.m. to noon
  • Location: North End Community Center
  • Age: 50 and up
  • Monthly Fee: $19; $13 with City resident credit
  • Season Fee: $55; $37 with City resident credit
  • Daily Fee: $2
• North End Community Center
  Office hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, please call 928-373-5245

Take Pride In Yuma

There were 35 cases of graffiti abated this reporting period. Graffiti cleanup and vandalism currently costs the Yuma taxpayers over $200,000 per year. Please help us reduce vandalism by reporting incidences of crime to 78-Crime (782-7463) and graffiti to the Graffiti Busters hot line, 329-2828. If you witness a crime in progress, call 911.

Parks and Recreation Activities for the Week of July 11-17

• 35 incidents of graffiti were responded to and abated
• 309 rounds of golf played at Desert Hills and Desert Hills Par 3 golf courses
• 400 meals were served at Desert Hills Bar & Grill
• 22 events held at the Yuma Civic Center with an attendance of 1,268
• 122 games played which is inclusive of all sports
• 3 events held at the Yuma Art Center with an attendance of 569
• 262 event tickets sold for Art Center and Civic Center
• 213 ramadas, parks, and fields were used
• 1,476 customer service transactions
• 110 programs offered by Parks and Recreation
• 8,960 people attended Parks and Recreation programs