Evansville Parks & Rec's Summer Play Daze provides entertainment, activities for area youth
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Although city pools are closed and many other summer activities have been cancelled due to COVID-19, the Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation is offering another way for kids to have fun through its Summer Play Daze program.
The program for children ages 5-14 will take place 1-2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through July 16 at different neighborhood parks.
Nikki Marshall, program service assistant, said the program serves as an opportunity for kids to have fun despite restrictions centered around the novel coronavirus.
"Since the pools and everything are closed down due to safety reasons, we wanted an alternative for kids to get out and have a fun summer and enjoy the parks in a safe and controlled environment," Marshall said.
Each park will be filled with dancing, field games, arts and crafts, sprinklers, parachutes and other outside activities. And to finish out the day, children will be handed free snow cones from Kona Ice.
During Thursday's program, several children – including some from the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville – participated in various play stations while interacting with one another for the first time since the closing of school facilities in March.
With local children previously restricted from playing with classmates and neighborhood friends Kiyoncee Bell, a Boys & Girls Club staff member, said Summer Play Daze has given them something positive to look forward to this summer.
"The COVID-19 stuff didn't give students a chance to hang out in school, and this right here gives them a chance to hang out with some of their friends," she said.
Danielle Arrigo felt there was no better way for her daughter to get to know other kids in the area and take part in the various activities than the program.
"I saw the flyer and thought it would be a great thing for her to do to get to know some other kids in the neighborhood," Arrigo said. "I wanted her to get to know some other kids around here and everything, so it's pretty important. She also hasn't been able to interact with any other kids because she's been inside and doing distance learning."
Her daughter, Jaclynne Arrigo, 7, excitedly ran toward the painting, ribbon twirling and bubble-blowing stations. She couldn't be satisfied until she made it to every activity stop.
"I feel great," she yelled as she latched on to Arrigo's leg, with a smile that nearly stretched from ear to ear. "I'm having fun already."
In addition to getting kids active throughout the week, Marshall said the department is focused on providing options for families unable to afford costly summer programs or activities.
"We wanted to target neighborhoods that had lower-income demographics, maybe kids that couldn't afford to go to a private aquatic center or afford to go to day camp and things like that," she said. "We wanted to make sure that those that didn't have access to those things could also have a fun summer."
Dates and locations for other Summer Play Daze are:
June 23 - Howell Park
June 25 - Garvin Park
June 30 - Bayard Park
July 2 - Vann Park
July 7 - Fulton Park
July 9 - Lorraine Park
July 14 - Tepe Park
July 16 - Akin Park
To learn more about Summer Play Daze, visit evansvillegov.org or contact Program Director Holly Schneider at 812-568-9340.