Behind the Scenes

The magic of Arts + Recreation doesn’t happen spontaneously. There are many hours of training, planning and implementation that go into every detail of every program so that community members and regional visitors can experience high quality, fun and impactful events in Walnut Creek. Enjoy these behind-the-scenes photos from our divisions.

Aquatics

Lifeguards practice emergency skills because they are responsible for the safety and well-being of individuals at swimming pools and other aquatic settings. In the event of an emergency such as a drowning, cardiac arrest, or other life-threatening situation, lifeguards must be prepared to act quickly and effectively to prevent injury or loss of life. Regular practice of emergency skills such as CPR, rescue techniques, and first aid ensures that lifeguards are able to respond to emergencies with confidence and skill.

Center for Community Arts

Center for Community Art’s Ceramics Studio offers a number of ceramics classes for community members. Some classes include a special raku firing at the end of the quarter, a process in which ceramic pieces are heated quickly using a low-fire method. These pieces are taken out of the raku kiln while still glowing hot and placed in materials such as sawdust or newspaper. The outcome is a beautiful range of unpredictable colors within the glaze due to the lack of oxygen in this process. In this photo, teaching artist, Chris Fortin, leads a raku firing for his class.

Recreation & Social Services

The staffing team located at Civic Park Community Center work a diverse variety of programs such as hosting family special events, tabling at Job Fairs, running the Specialized Recreation and Senior social services programs as well as most of the city’s contracted afterschool, adult and summer camp programs. See the Easter Bunny visiting Clarke Swim Center to spread some springtime cheer and Customer Service Central representatives Dominik and Ben table at a Job Fair at Diablo Valley College to encourage summer recruitment. Also featured are staff who attended a 3 day statewide Conference in San Diego hosted by the California Parks and Recreation Society, the professional organization we support in an effort to stay current on industry trends and best practices.

Center for Community Arts at Bedford Gallery

Partnering across divisions, staff from Center for Community Arts welcome teaching artists, the Clay Arts Guild and Community Arts Foundation board members to Bedford Gallery’s exhibition, Erin Fong: The Sensation of Color in late winter. The event was hosted as a thank you to individuals who, through their voluntary service and professional commitment to the arts in Walnut Creek, help spread access to arts education in the community as well as ensure there are a plethora of exceptional, diverse arts programs available to the community.

Bedford Gallery

Bedford Gallery is dedicated to providing opportunities to learn about visual arts through exhibitions and programs that are varied, accessible, challenging and educational. Hosting four shows per year, every install has unique components that require staff to think creatively to ensure a seamless experience for visitors. Here, gallery staff is configuring (with lots of tools!) 6 monitors that each play a different film sequence from Andy Warhol’s famous Screen Tests in the About Face exhibition. See it now through June 25!

Summer Camp!

No matter which Walnut Creek Summer Camp you attend, each group of staff members attend a rigorous week of training in the first week of June. Included with team building activities, camp staff are certified in CPR/FA, receive a certificate in Mandated Reporter Training and Harassment Prevention. During this week, camp staff also plan out weekly activities, games and crafts to ensure that your child has a summer of fun to remember!

Aquatics Programs

walnutcreekrec.org/aquatics

SWIM CENTERS

Clarke Swim Center - 1750 Heather Dr, Walnut Creek Larkey Swim Center & Sprayground - 2771 Buena Vista Ave, Walnut Creek

Competitive Programs

Walnut Creek Aquabears Swim Team walnutucreekaquabears.org

Walnut Creek Masters Swim Team swim4wc.org

Walnut Creek Swim Club walnutcreekswimclub.org

WC Aquanuts Synchronized Swim Team aquanuts.org

Admission Fees

Daily Admission Entrance (no in/out privileges)

Children 6 & Under $5

Youth (7 yr - 17 yr) $6

Adult (18 yr +) $7

Lap Swim (13 yr +) $7

Splash Pass Only $2 w/paying individual

*The SplashPass is the additional fee charged to use the inflatables at Clarke or allow in/out privileges. At Larkey Swim Center the SplashPass is the cost of entry for Sprayground only hours or allow in/out privileges during recreational swim.

Membership Options

Lap Swim Monthly Pass (30 days) $75

15 Punch Lap Swim Pass (18yr +) $85.25

Summer Recreation Swim Pass* $70

* Valid May 27th - Sept 4th. Unlimited swim at both Clarke & Larkey Swim Center during recreational swim hours ONLY

*Not valid for lap swim or water exercise

Clarke Swim Center Hours

No Reservations Necessary

Closed: 6/3, 6/4, 6/24, 6/25, 7/29, 7/30

Modified Hours: 5/29, 7/4

*Additional Closures and special hours can be found online at walnut-creek.org/aquatics

Lap Swim Hours at Clarke Swim Center (13 yr +)

June 5th - Sept. 4th

Mon - Fri 5:30am - 4:00pm

Mon - Thurs 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Sat & Sun 11:00am - 5:00pm

*Clarke Swim Center runs both long course (50m) and short course (25yrds) during the summer. Check online for lane allocations

Recreational Swim Hours at Clarke Swim Center

Weekdays: 6/5 – 8/4 Weekends: 6/10 - 9/3

Mon- Fri 1:00pm - 4:00pm Sat & Sun 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Inflatable Pool Obstacle Courses & Hours

These inflatable obstacle courses are sure to make this summer a fun and exciting recreational swimming experience. The adventure goes above and beyond the swimming experience with climbing, hurdling, racing, sliding and swinging for a splashing good time. Add these inflatable obstacle courses, park, picnic, and playground access, to your day of swimming, for one low fee. $2 splash pass with admission. *For all rules and details regarding age restrictions and abilities, visit walnutcreek.org/ aquatics.

Water Aerobics at Clark Swim Center

Shape up and slim down with invigorating water exercise! $10 drop in or $96 12-class punch pass. Check online for latest scheduling.

LARKEY SWIM CENTER HOURS

No Reservations Necessary

Weekdays: 6/5 – 8/4 Weekends: 6/10 - 9/3

Modified Hours: 6/17, 7/4, 7/22

*Additional Closures and special hours can be found online at www.walnut-creek.org/aquatics

Recreational Swim at Larkey Swim Center

Weekdays: 6/5 – 8/4 Weekends: 6/10 - 9/3

Mon- Fri 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat & Sun 12:00pm - 5:00pm

*We do not plan on offering lap swim at Larkey during Summer 2023

Sprayground ONLY Hours

June 12th - August 3th

Mon – Thur 10:30am - 12:30pm 4:30pm - 6:30pm

During sprayground only hours only the sprayground is open. The pool is not available for recreational swim. The spray park has a maximum capacity of 60 kids as mandated by the county. Capacities are enforced and participants arriving after capacity has been reached will be put on a waiting list and must remain in Larkey Park. No Fri, Sat, Sun

Poolside Picnic Rentals

Reserve table space for your pool side party at Clarke Swim Center or Larkey Swim Center. Pending location, rental includes covered picnic tables. Use of charcoal barbeque (supplies not included). Admission for up to 20 guests during recreational swimming hours. Reservations must be made online at www.walnutcreek.org/aquatics or scan QR. Email Stacey for more information at Gerow@walnut-creek.org

Learn To Swim Information

Walk-In Registration Available at Clarke Swim Center but registration online is highly recommended due to popularity of programs.

strokes & independence $12.25

Seal 5 - 11 yr Stroke refinement and swim endurance $12.25

Adult/Teen 15 yr + Varies depending on par;cipants’ needs

Private

Lessons

3 - Adult 25 min prv session focused on student needs