Keep in the know with ‘Activity Guide’ from Madison Parks and Rec

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Is my son too old to play youth baseball? What’s the address for our neighborhood park? Will the city rent a pool at Dublin Park for my daughter’s birthday party?

These questions and hundreds more can be answered with the Madison Parks and Recreation Department’s Activity Guide. The booklet documents summer program information, dates and registration procedures.

The document opens appropriately with a quick profile of Kory Alfred, Director of Madison Parks and Recreation Department. Alfred works in an ever-changing environment as he oversees Madison’s parks, special events and holiday experiences.

The “General Information” sections lists a staff directory for the parks/rec department and Dublin Parks’ hours.

“Memberships” explains joining online and has a table with the types and fees for park memberships.

“Parks & Facilities” describes Madison’s main city sites for recreation: Dublin Park, Palmer Park and Kids Kingdom now under construction for renovation and reclamation as an all-access playground. Park maps show the sections for specific sports and gathering space for teams or residents who rent a space for reunions or meetings.

An overview of Madison Senior Center explains the objectives of this popular city facility and states the center’s most popular activities. Currently, the center is open at 1282 Hughes Road (next door to Discovery Middle School) but will have a new home at the Madison Community Center, now under renovation.

A list of Madison’s 41 neighborhood parks states the acreage and available features at each park. A city map pinpoints all parks. Madison Assisted Ride System or MARS’ text explains the bus transportation that qualified residents can use.

A section for “Aquatics” discusses this popular option for children’s fun and adult exercise at Dublin Park’s indoor/ outdoor pools. The city offers swimming lessons to groups or private sessions. Did you know that a family can use the out- door pool or indoor aquatic center for a private party?

The guide’s “Youth Programs” has a convenient list of team sports, including volleyball, basketball, soccer, football, cheer squads, tennis and baseball. The section also lists camps and clinics. “Adult Programs” in Madison include volleyball, softball and the extremely popular sport of pickleball.

“Frequently Asked Questions” gives answers to some topics that residents have about recreation options.

“Facility Rentals” in the guide states the costs and time slots for room rental in Dublin Park’s building. The guide lists local businesses and organizations who sponsor city activities.

A registration form for sports and other city-sponsored groups is available, along with general information, like age requirements and payment options, for interested residents.

Even the advertisements are informative because those pages describe events, teams and opportunities that the ‘rec’ department offers.

For more information or online registration, visit madisonal.gov/recreation. To access

A handy compilation of recreational activities like pickleball is available in the Madison Parks and Recreation Department’s Activity Guide.

Madison Parks and Recreation’s Activity Guide, visit https:// online.fliphtml5.com/tlbso/rxjr/#p=1; Facebook/Madison, Alabama Parks and Recreation; or www.madisonal.gov, click “Departments” and “Parks and Recreation” and then click the guide’s graphic on the right of the page.

Snapshot

At their annual picnic, members of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society gathered on the front lawn of Dennis Vaughn’s home on Front Street in historic downtown Madison.