Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.1 Attachment ACreating Community through People, Arts, Parks & Programs APR. ACTIVITIES • MAY. MEETING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REFLECT THE MISSION OF PARKS AND RECREATION: • Strengthen Community Image and Sense of Place • Strengthen Safety and Security • Facilitate Community Problem Solving • Protect Environmental Resources • Provide Recreational Experiences • Support Economic Development • Promote Health and Wellness • Increase Cultural Unity • Foster Human Development STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY IMAGE AND SENSE OF PLACE As the weather warms up, the water play features are as popular as ever. To ensure a great user experience, the timers and programs are checked regularly, and the activation sensor was recently replaced at Hap Magee Ranch Park. Speaking of popular, following the installation of the bridge to the Town Green it has become a favorite hangout for dogs (and their owners). To help facilitate this and keep the area clean, a new concrete pad, garbage can, and dog waste bag dispenser have been installed. Other recent activity at the Town Green includes the installation of the Town’s Friendship Cities sign along Front Street, as well the pruning of all crape myrtle trees at the site. At Osage Station Park, 30 new rose bushes were installed in the memorial boxes and the approximately 1,500 existing rose bushes were fertilized. STRENGTHEN SAFETY AND SECURITY An extensive project was recently completed at the very popular pathway that runs along the perimeter of the fields at John F. Baldwin Elementary. Maintenance staff worked to remove tree roots that had begun causing uneven surfaces on the pathway, and replenished decomposed granite where needed. These efforts will help ensure this great amenity remains safe for many years to come! 1 OF 7 ATTACHMENT A These items may also reflect how Parks Make Life Better! Parks and Recreation make lives and communities better now and in the future by providing access to nature, outdoor space to play and exercise, free-time fun in positive spaces, and socializing and learning in a gathering place. FACILITATE COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING The Town of Danville Recreation, Arts, and Community Services Department partnered with the Discovery Counseling Center to offer an ECO-camp for teens. This camp took place at the Oak Hill Park Community Center every morning from April 4-6. The counseling- driven partnership encouraged participants to rekindle their relationship with nature and environmentalism, nature, and wellness. The 18th Annual Lend-a-Hand Day took place on Saturday, April 23. Over 65 volunteers donated their time to serve and provide yardwork assistance to their senior neighbors. The seniors greatly appreciated the help, and the volunteers enjoyed the sunny weather outdoors. PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES All grass sports fields throughout town were aerated, seeded and fertilized to help promote healthy, sustainable growth. Water conservation continues to be a primary focus and efforts over the past month included converting an unutilized area of grass near the trailhead at Sycamore Valley Park to decorative bark mulch. In addition to the water savings provided by this project, regular irrigation inspections continue to be performed to minimize water waste and over the past month mainline repairs were completed at Diablo Vista Park, Osage Station Park and Sycamore Valley Park, along with 20 irrigation repairs at Oak Hill Park. PROVIDE RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES Spring Break Camp was a blast! From Monday, April 4 to Friday, April 8, twenty campers enjoyed the scenery of Oak Hill Park and activities included hikes on the trail, a bug hunting safari, and games to celebrate the end of winter and spring showers! 2 OF 7 After a two-year hiatus, Eggstravaganza was back on April 16, for an in-person egg-hunting jubilee. Participants registered by age group to participate in an egg-hunts across the Town Green. Sprinkles of rain could not put a damper on this egg-citing event with over 360 registered participants to partake in a bunny arcade, D.I.Y. basket making, and other engaging crafts. Danville brought Art & Rec on the Go to San Damiano’s non-denominational Earth Day Celebration. This event helped eager families from all over the Bay Area learn how the indigenous peoples cared for this land, reduce waste, and donate old clothing. The culminating point of interest was browsing art exhibits created by local students from Danville schools. Families were then able to participate in backyard games run by Recreation staff and enjoyed ice cream and popcorn amongst the retreat center gardens and aviary. Tweens interested in volunteering this summer as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) were interviewed on April 20 & 21. CITs interviewed in the same group interview format that summer camp staff go through. CITs showed off their skills by teaching the group how to play basic games, performed skits and explained their hobbies and interests. 40 CITs interviewed and 19 CITs were accepted into the program. CITs must volunteer for 2 consecutive weeks at a summer camp location. When in the program, CITs shadow camp staff and learn how to be a great leader in the future. 3 OF 7 For the first time ever, the Danville Youth Council had the opportunity to create a children’s event in honor of Earth Day. Earthtastical was held on Thursday, April 14 for youth ages 5 – 10 years old. Children created cork butterflies, painted rocks, and even got to plant their own plants in recycled soda bottles. Teens enjoyed a night out at the Charlotte Wood Teen Center on April 15. With the supervision of engaging staff, participated in games like dodgeball, extreme connect 4 and line tag. The teens enjoyed a break for a pizza and a cookie before finishing out the night with even more games. The RADD dance on Friday, April 29 was a smashing hit. This dance was for adults ages 16 and up with differently abled abilities. The dance included top hits, games, crafts, and lots of dancing. This event brought families and friends from around the bay area to partake in an amazing time at the Oak Hill Community Center. 4 OF 7 5 OF 7 PROMOTE HEALTH & WELLNESS Danville Senior Center has expanded its evening ballroom classes to include Foxtrot and Salsa, which began in March on Wednesday evenings. These classes are offered in addition to two levels of West Coast Swing, which has gradually gained popularity with participants 18 years and older. Danville Seniors enjoyed the first ever “Mystery Trip” to San Francisco, where they enjoyed a self-guided tour of the Salesforce Tower. SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The month of April was a busy month in the art gallery for art tours. Many groups have requested a tour of the current exhibit, Women Who Dare! An art show featuring paintings made by women artists, painting the women who have inspired them in life. We love getting to tell people more about the art in the exhibits and building a connection with the community and helping them to foster a love and appreciation for the arts. 6 OF 7 INCREASE CULTURAL UNITY The Danville Senior Center celebrated its 10th Anniversary on Thursday, April 28. This open house style celebration included catered appetizers, a slideshow of photos from the last decade of senior programming and great conversations between friends. Auggie the Acorn made an appearance as well. FOSTER HUMAN DEVELOPMENT High schoolers from Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley High School enjoyed a lunch period full of job vendors trying to obtain part time staff. Vendors included In ‘n’ Out, Marshall’s, Forward Motion and of course the Town of Danville summer camps and aquatics program. Job vendors have already reported receiving applications from excited high school students looking for summer jobs. 7 OF 7 The Danville Youth Council accepted applications for the 2022-2023 school year from April 1–15. The DYC received over 40 applications and the Teen Coordinator and Youth & Teen supervisor interviewed 12 candidates. If accepted into the DYC, the new members will join the 2021-2022 DYC at the last meeting of the year on May 9. On Friday, April 22, the Town participated in the return of the Los Cerros Middle School career and vocational fair. Recreation staff shared personal experiences of working in the field of recreation along with discussing the importance of civic engagement with young adults. The fair was also an ideal location to disseminate some important municipal information, such as job openings, activity guide mailing dates, and updates on serval ongoing capital projects around Town. PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER The Danville Youth Council held a teen mental health event called Relax and Reset on Friday April 22. This event allowed an outlet for stress which included painting tote bags, creating DIY stress balls, tai chi, and mental health resources available by the Discovery Counseling Center. PROJECT & EVENT UPDATES May 21: Trail Mixer May 21: Art in the Park May 26: A Night of Blues with Chris Cain May 3: Mother’s Day Teacup Craft May 4: May the 4th Be With You May 13: Teen Night