Highlighting Parks and Recreation

Our Parks and Recreation department is extremely busy this time of year. You may be surprised by all the different kinds of programming this department offers and the diverse activities and responsibilities they maintain. I want to highlight a few here.

The sun and humidity made the WDM Aquatic Centers a big hit once again this summer. At the end of the season Valley View hosted its 3rd Annual Doggie Dip, when dogs get a chance to romp in the pools after the park has closed to the public for the summer. This year, 182 dogs and pet lovers attended. This is a fun and unique event that proves to be a special treat for both residents and their pets.

The Park and Horticulture crew is still very busy too. With the benefit of moisture comes increased mowing, pulling, and cutting responsibilities. The storms have created many broken branches and trees to work on.

Some of the most unique programs our WDM Parks and Recreation hosts involve tours or trips, which take a group to a different city (sometimes different state!) for events from baseball games to ski trips to river rafting. This summer they explored the Omaha Zoo, the Amana Theatre event "Barefoot in the Park," and the Brucemore Mansion, in addition to visiting the Tulip Time festivities in Pella, among many other places. One particularly interesting event they hosted was the "Red Hat" Road Trip. This trip involves a busload of women dressed in red hats and purple shirts that visit various tea rooms in Central Iowa for coffee, lunch, and dessert throughout the day. According to the Parks and Rec representatives who accompanied the "red hat" ladies, it was a "rough day: walking on and off the bus to go eat delicious food, shop for tea sets, and visit with a wonderful group of women." This is an example of one way our Parks and Recreation department goes above and beyond some of the typical offerings and duties mandated of them to really create a special experience for our residents who are ready and willing to participate.

Parks and Rec staff also spent countless hours preparing a new Youth Center at Rex Mathes that will tentatively be open from 2:30-7:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 2:00-6:30pm on Wednesday. There will be no weekend hours at this time. Participants at the center must have a valid school ID showing that they are in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade. Participation is open to any student, not just those in WDM schools.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what our Parks and Recreation department is involved with. They work hard and give residents the opportunity to play hard through their programs. I think they do a great job with it!