So, summer has arrived, and school is finally out! Yay! I know that when this reporter was younger (oh so long ago,) sleep was first on the list. Then catch up on some tv viewing that I didn’t have time for, then maybe have a friend over. Then, boredom usually sets in about the second week. What to do, what to do? Ravenna Parks and Recreation to the rescue.
Ravenna is full of gems; Parks and Recreation definitely qualifies. Housed in the old Armory building at 530 North Freedom Street, they are sure to have something for everyone. For example, the Ravenna Athletic Center. Membership for the RAC is quite reasonable, with both annual and monthly membership, even drop-ins. City taxpayers get a price break! In addition to great fitness machines, there is an array of classes offered. Silver Sneaker, Yoga, Pilates, Zumba. You name it, they offer it. Group fitness classes are included in your membership fee. The RAC opens early so you can grab a workout before work. They are open until 8:00pm on most evenings for those of us who aren’t quite the 5:00am type. Weekend hours are from 7:00am to 1:00pm so you have plenty of time to exercise.
The Parks and Recreation team is quite small, but they are busy! Jacob is the Program Coordinator, aka The Sports Guy. He runs the sports programs and does much of the digital work. When we met, he was overseeing softball, soccer and t-ball programs. He is also planning Fall Soccer already! Most programs run 6 to 8 weeks, with 5 of those actual game play weeks. The programs are very affordable. Uniforms, pads etc, are usually extra. There is a scholarship program, the Marlene Watt Scholarship, for Ravenna families in need. Jacob enjoys seeing the growth of the young athletes as they transition from action to an organized sport team wanting to improve.
Karen is the Programs Supervisor and does much of the fundraising. As a matter of fact, this reporter met her at a Sip and Paint at the Main Street Winery, raising money for the Marlene Watt Program. That was a fun afternoon for a great cause!
That leaves Judy, the director and Denise, the Administrative Assistant. Together, they oversee quite a bit of activity, such as the upcoming events.
Ravenna Parks and Recreation is collaborating with Reed Memorial Library for a Rodeo on June 7 to celebrate summer. It will be held at City Park, 165 Oakwood Street, admission is free. There will be hayrides, a petting zoo, square dancing, games, Celebrate Portage will have a booth, and of course Food Trucks! This is the third year of the rodeo, and it is growing. The first saw a few in attendance, the second year had about 70 people. This year they are hoping to see 300 revelers.
Other events that were organized by the RP&R include a Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend Walk. Starting at the City Park, walk through the downtown businesses, on the search for the Leprechaun. The lucky finder brings it to Big Dog Saloon for a prize.
Tower Lodge is a facility within the City Park. You can participate in the progressive Line Dancing class there, on Thursdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Instruction starts easy with lots of time for practice, then gradually becomes harder by the end of the class. The cost is $60.00, or $12.00 for a drop in fee. Kim Postlewaite will be teaching the class. She is new to Ravenna, but very popular in Trumbull County.
Ravenna Parks and Recreation also runs Safety Town. Safety Town is June 24-28, aimed at kindergarten through first grade. The cost for Safety Town is $35.00 for Ravenna Taxpayers, otherwise $40.00. This will be held at West Park School.
What is Summer Vacation without summer camp? Kids Summer Adventure Camps offer a range of experiences for a range of age groups. Be sure to check them out soon, as enrollment is quickly closing. Go to www.ravennaparksandrec.com and register as soon as you can.
There are many places that RP&R utilize, supervise and/or maintain. They utilize many school gyms, maintain many shelters across the city and have 9 ball fields. Havre Woods Park on New Milford Road has 2 ballfields as well as a fitness trail. City Park on Oakwood Street has a basketball court, pickle ball court, skateboard area and a recently resurfaced tennis court. Chestnut Hills Park, across from the high school, has undergone complete renovation. It has new equipment; a face lift, new turf and foam under new equipment, new Corn Hole Courts and has been made wheel-chair accessible.
Shelters and Pavilions are available for rental. Tower Lodge has also been recently renovated, getting new flooring and has been made more accessible. You can register to rent them through the website.
There is a new, lesser-known park in the works, the Emerald Lake Preservation Park on South Diamond, which will be opening soon. It is the largest piece of undeveloped land in the city. The goal is to develop and preserve the land in a way that protects the environment. A structure cannot be built there, but they hope to build a boardwalk, with EPA approval. They are applying for a grant to purchase adjacent acreage through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Who keeps these parks up? The unsung heroes of park maintenance…Park Supervisor of 18 years is Bob Dennison. He is said to be the Jack of All Trades. He is helped by Assistant Park Director Eddie Hannah. They also have 2 seasonal employes to help in the summer. We can’t forget to mention and thank the instructors for the Group Exercise classes at the RAC.
More information is available on the website at www.ravennaparksandrecreation.com, give them a like on Facebook or call (330)296-2864.
