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Lincoln Parks & Recreation Newsletter, August 2010
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Parks & Recreation newsletter. We hope this
becomes a monthly highlight in your inbox.
This
month's banner image is of the Heritage School which was recently relocated from State Fair Park to the Pioneers Park Nature Center. Please, feel free to contact us at parks@lincoln.ne.gov with your comments and suggestions. If you know of someone interested in this
information, please spread the word by using the link at the bottom to forward
this newsletter. Past newsletters can be found on the News & Publications section of our website. |
Learning to Grow
Children attending the F Street Community Center while school is out had
one more reason to stay through the summer - to reap what they sowed. Parks and Recreation AmeriCorps member Amber
Davis helped the kids plant seeds this spring in raised outdoor beds at
recreation centers around Lincoln
and provided guidance as they watered, weeded and harvested. The vegetables produced are shared with the
youth, their families and now sold to the public at Saint Paul United Church of
Christ at 13th & F Streets every Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m.
Joey Morgan (left) and Ezekeo Daniels participate in the Farmer's Market at St. Paul UCC  |
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Preschools Focus on Creativity, Nature and Language
The
preschool experience should be one that prepares children for a variety of
social and academic situations as they get ready to begin kindergarten. At Calvert
Recreation Center's
Creative Link program, the
spotlight is on music and art as well as other early childhood themes with the
goals of increased social skills and creativity. The Pioneers Park Nature Center is a perfect place for young children to learn colors,
counting, shapes, sizes, and spatial awareness through nature exploration. The
caring staff of the Preschool and Pre-K programs has a strong commitment to both the environment and to
active learning. Children's individual strengths and talents are nurtured
through a wide variety of daily activities. Dual Language Preschool at Irving Recreation Center offers developmentally-appropriate activities for
children that allow them to grow by incorporating new experiences into their
daily routine. The thematic content supports language development in both
English and Spanish and allows preschoolers of all language backgrounds to have
fun while playing and learning kindergarten readiness skills. Preschool and pre-kindergarten programs have morning and
afternoon hours available for the 2010-2011 school year. Please contact each location to register or
for more information. |
Almost 70 three to six year olds attended Camp Discovery Zephaniah trying on elk antlers  | where they saw a rose-breasted grosbeak up close during bird banding, spotted
FIVE tree frogs at the same time, observed the differences between damselflies
and dragonflies, met some of Nebraska's native
trees or compared the different snakes we have at the Nature Center.
Two hundred Wilderness Nature Campers built forts in magic
spots, went creeking, played nature games, expanded their creative skills, and
dreamed up hilarious skits about their experiences to share with their parents,
all with the help of dedicated staff and enthusiastic junior counselors.
Many
children dropped in for Animal Antics on Wednesdays where they had a chance to
lift an elk antler, see a merlin up close or try to catch a frog.
Sixty
adults shared a glorious July day learning about herbs and tasting treats made
with them during our Herbal Festival.
Now the Nature Center is gearing up for fall when 4th grade students will come for a day at Heritage School or a Prairie Immersion Experience and
other students will explore the changing seasons, life cycles or animals and
their habitats. Nature Preschool and Pre-K classes will begin again. The
hayrack will be hitched to the tractor for another season of nature-related
rides, and Howling Halloween activities will make their debut.
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Phares Park
Early fall should see the beginning of construction and development of
Phares Park located in Southeast Lincoln. This 6.5 acre neighborhood
park will feature a new playground, open lawn area for informal games and
activities, a single play court with a basketball goal , a picnic shelter,
seating, walking paths and new landscaping.
Unique to Phares Park, will be the Activo Nova playground system featured
in a modern, non-linear design selected by the neighborhood association after a
series of public meetings. It encourages children to move in every
direction as Activo's sleek shapes and challenges push them to the limits of
creative play. Kids will be inspired to make up new routes each time allowing
for an ever-changing experience. In addition it encourages social interaction,
risk taking, and problem solving by providing more action in less space than
traditional playgrounds.
Click for a view of the master plan  |
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Fall
adult softball registration going on now through August 9; Eight-week season begins
August 15
- Adult
volleyball registration going on now through August 25; Season starts early September
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Girls
basketball registration begins Monday, August 9 through August 31; play begins September
25
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NFL
Flag Football registration has closed but player registrations are still being taken
and put on a waiting list; Season begins early September.
For
more information or to register for any of these fall activities, please contact
the Team Sports office at 441-7892.
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