MAHONING VALLEY
Youngstown Parks and Recreation eager to get back into the game BY CHRIS McBRIDE
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fter having a limited season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Youngstown Parks and Recreation Department Director Dawn Turnage is eager to reclaim a sense of normalcy this summer. “The parks are the heartbeat of the community, and we want people to understand the importance of getting outside,” Turnage said. “They’re more than just a playground, they’re a place for people to gather.” She said city parks offer healthy opportunities – everything from walking trails to exercise equipment. Summer Camp, Jazz in the Park As the summer season kicks off, there will be more opportunities for the community to get out and enjoy what the parks have to offer. Among them is a Summer Camp Program (July 7-Aug. 6), which is free to those who register. The camp is open to youth ages 5-17. Jazz in the Park returns, but has relocated to Wick Park in order to accommodate more people and maintain social distancing. The series kicks off Sunday, July 18. Its final set will be Sunday, Sept. 5. Youngstown Parks and Recreation is also planning “Sunday Jazz” at Northside Pool and “Jazz at the Grass” at the Eugenia Atkinson Recreational Center. Turnage suggested that movie nights could be added to the schedule as COVID restrictions are being lifted. “We still ask that social distancing is practiced and, if not, vaccinated signs will PHOTO BY CHRIS MCBRIDE be posted asking those who are not vacciYoungstown Parks and Recreation Department Director Dawn Turnage in Wick Park nated to wear a mask.” The Parks and Rec team recently hosted a last month. Turnage is holding a recent proclamation from Mayor Jamael Tito Brown. Summer Camp Registration and Commu- an open enrollment with 400 registration Lincoln Park; and Mahoning Valley Saninity Fair for the Camp Program but spots but, according to Peace, they’re only look- tary District Park on the city’s West Side. will be limited due to COVID-19. ing to fill 103 spots this season. Beginning June 7, Parks and Recreation will Summer Camp serve meals Monday Director Dorphine “The parks are the heartbeat of the community, and we want through Friday from Peace spoke to the noon to 1 p.m. people to understand the importance of getting outside.” troubles the departPeace says “donament faced last year Dawn Turnage, Youngstown Parks and Recreation Department Director tions, organizations, during the pandemic. grants and funding “Last year all of my sites weren’t opened The number of camp locations also took a from the city and state” are vital to makup, so we ended up with just 36 kids for hit, being scaled back to five – John White, ing programs like the Summer Camp and our summer camps,” Peace said. “I under- Wick, Homestead, Lynn and Crandall parks. meals possible. stand parents were scared but we did what But this year camp-goers will get to travel “We got our food from the state and we’re we had to do for those kids and we made to other locations around the Valley, in- under an umbrella of the Children’s Hunit work and, thankfully, nobody got sick.” cluding Camelot Lanes, Youngstown Skate ger Alliance to help feed the kids this year,” Peace is expecting this year’s numbers to and a pop-up library. Peace said. The Children’s Hunger Alliance again be lower than average. Free ready-to-eat meals will be available is a nonprofit organization dedicated to The summer camp program usually has at Glenwood Park, 2538 Glenwood Ave.; combating childhood hunger. Some of their
work includes providing free meal donations to youth programs statewide. Facility openings, program updates n The Henry Stambaugh Golf Course recently opened. Beginning June 3, the golf course will be open for extended hours – from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Thursday. n Northside Pool will reopen on June 7. n Youth Sports League – A newly formed Youth All Sports Planning & Advisory Committee is in the early stages of organizing a Youth Recreation Sports program. The Parks and Recreation Department will partner with Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV), the Youngstown Police Department and the YMCA to oversee the formation of youth recreation sports programs. As organizers eye a tentative July 1 start date, the committee is welcoming the community – parents/guardians, Little League coaches, potential team sponsors and referees – to give insight into the formation of the league. “We want people to participate and in getting that input, we want to move really quickly on that because I know that the season is right around the corner, when it comes to fall sports,” Turnage said. Community Liaison Malik Mostella, stressed the importance of involving coaches, considering the amount of time they spend with the kids. “Coaches are like surrogate parents; the kids get to see them every day and they’re with the kids every day, they deal with them every day,” Mostella said. Committee member and CIRV Director Guy Burney, has been involved in a number of sports leagues; he hopes to see the program evolve beyond athletics, into a mentoring and character building opportunity. “I want it to be about building each other up and learning how to handle conflict properly. That’s my objective in being involved with this,” Burney said. Turnage shares in Burney’s hopes to see what more the league can become in the future, hoping to eventually establish a STEM and entrepreneurship program. n Move with the Mayor – Mayor Jamael Tito Brown will be participating in the nationwide “‘Move with the Mayor” campaign, which occurs Aug. 1-Oct. 15. The program challenges constituents and community members throughout the U.S. to get active and be mobile around the city. See PARK & REC, Page 36 METRO MONTHLY JUNE/JULY 2021 5
