Parks & Recreation departments begin reopening efforts

By Mike Finney
Posted 3/8/21

DOVER — Exciting times lie ahead for the city of Dover’s Parks and Recreation Division, with plans to build a new skate park and dog park at Schutte Park in the near future.

While many …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Parks & Recreation departments begin reopening efforts

Posted

DOVER — Exciting times lie ahead for the city of Dover’s Parks and Recreation Division, with plans to build a new skate park and dog park at Schutte Park in the near future.

While many can’t wait for those projects to start, there’s also a buzz with the Parks and Recreation department getting set to reopen to the public after being shut down for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we move forward in the next few weeks, resuming our programming both inside and out, please note several protocols have been put into place to protect our staff and you/your families,” said the Dover Parks and Rec website. “Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself prior to registration and/or on-site visits. More informational links will be posted as protocols are developed; please check back frequently for updates.”

The featured activities as Parks and Rec begins to ramp up its schedule again this spring will be a Beginner and Intermediate Soul Line Dancing classes that will begin this Thursday.

A Co-Ed Youth Soccer League, featuring four age brackets — including Mini mites, Mites, Pee Wee and Bantam — is scheduled to begin play from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from April 10 through May 15 at Schutte Park.

There is also a Spring Co-Ed Volleyball League in the works with matches inside the John W. Pitts Recreation Center.

The recreation center is also open for walking/jogging on Monday through Friday from 7 until 10 a.m.

Standard rules are in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, wearing facemasks, and using hand sanitizer.

Those involved in fitness classes in the multi-purpose room will have to have their temperature checked and complete a brief wellness survey prior to entering.

Some classes and leagues will also have limited participation to prevent overcrowding in the facilities and on the fields.

Check https://www.cityofdover.com/Parks-Recs-Home for specific rules regarding sports leagues and fitness classes.

Kent County also ramping up activities

Jeremy Sheppard, director of the Community Services Department for Kent County Levy Court, said Kent County Parks and Recreation is also looking forward to welcoming back people to their leagues and programs this spring.

“Kent County Parks and Recreation has a busy spring starting next week,” Mr. Sheppard said. “We are focusing on outdoor programming this spring, but have a couple of indoor activities upcoming, too.

“Beginning next week, our Kent Youth Soccer League (KYSL) will get get underway. This recreational league is for boys and girls ages 2 through 18. So far our numbers are great and we look forward to a lot of soccer at the Kent County Recreation Center and Kesselring Park.”

Mr. Sheppard said Kent County Parks and Rec is also taking registration for its Youth NFL Flag Football League for ages 7 through 14 for boys and girls. With the numbers they have attracted, they are dividing the group into ages 7-10 and 11-14. The league will start on March 19 on the turf field at the Kent County Recreation Center.

Three more leagues are scheduled to begin in April. Kent County’s annual Adult Golf Scramble League will take place at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Course on Monday evenings. Teams of two players compete against other teams on a 9-hole scramble format. This is a fun league meant for enjoyment. Also, a Men’s Softball League is scheduled for Browns Branch County Park in Harrington.

“Lastly, we just started taking registration for our first Junior NBA Youth Basketball League inside the Kent County Recreation Center,” said Mr. Sheppard. “This will be a limited participation league due to our approved facility plan through DPH. However, we are excited to get the community back into the Rec Center for programming. The league is scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings.”

He also said strict COVID-19 guidelines will be in place for all leagues and programs.

“It is important to remind our patrons that we are following state guidelines for COVID-19 mitigation,” Mr. Sheppard said. “At this time, facemasks are required at all times for participants, both inside and outside the Recreation Center. For outdoor programming, we request that parents stay in their vehicles during practices and limit family members for games.

“KCPR paints ‘social distancing’ circles around the playing field that allow spectators to spread out. We also put out hand sanitizer at our screening and check-in stations for general use. However, the most important reminder is that if you are sick or not feeling well, stay home.”

Registration for all Kent County programs is handled online with a credit card. The registration system can be accessed through the KCPR website at: http://co.kent.de.us/parks-recreation.aspx or directly at: https://secure.rec1.com/DE/kent-county-de/catalog

New users will need to create an account, starting with the parent/payee, and then add the child/participant/team in order to register correctly. Any questions with registration or program details can be answered by calling the Kent County Parks and Recreation Office at 302-744-2495. Its office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Opportunities for youth sports in Harrington

Harrington’s Parks and Recreation department also had a successful, safe indoor basketball season this winter.

“It went great,” said Doug Poore, assistant director of the Harrington Parks and Rec department. “No COVID tracings nor any COVID infections.”

This was due to their stringent safety measures.

“For basketball, they had to wear a mask to play and only one parent or guardian was allowed in the building with them,” Mr. Poore said. “We had half-hour breaks between our different age groups so we could sanitize the facility and all the equipment.”

Enrollment was down this year, but only slightly.

“We had about 75 kids give or take,” Mr. Poore said. “It was down. Not significantly, but it was down.”

The department has even more coming up this spring.

According to its website, the city will have two big opportunities for kids to play team sports this spring.

The town is holding an instructional indoor youth field hockey league for second- to fifth-graders. Classes began on March 1 and will take place every Monday for March, but registrations for this program are closed.

There will also be a soccer league in Harrington this spring, with five age groups ranging from a tot program for 2- to 3-year-olds up to an under-12 league.

Mr. Poore said the league will run from April 10 through the first weekend of June. It’s a two-day per week commitment with games being played on Saturdays and practice on one weeknight in the evening.

This program costs $65 for the first child, $60 for the second child and $55 for each child after the second.

But the Parks and Rec department isn’t only focused on kids.

On May 21, the department will host a fundraising golf tournament at Jonathan’s Landing in Magnolia. It will cost $340 for a group of four or $90 for individuals. The deadline for entry is May 14, and the tournament is limited to 25 teams.

“The first thing we use it for is to help keep our fees down,” Mr. Poore said of proceeds from the event. “Then we use it for equipment and the upkeep of that equipment.”

Seaford offers youth soccer

The Seaford Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Spring Co-Ed Youth Soccer League for ages 4-13 with weeknight games beginning in April. Call 302-629-9173 for more information.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X