The prospects look good for Greenwood’s Summer in the Park program this year, Mayor Carolyn McAdams says.
The program, which is open to children 5 through 13, will be held June 12 through July 17 at Clerico Park and Whittington Park. The $35,000 program is funded entirely with city funds. Participation is free.
In 2013, as many as 160 children participated in daily activities. This year, “we’re going to have more kids starting out, based upon the popularity of the program last year,” McAdams said.
Shun Pearson, the program’s director, is in the process of hiring 17 workers who will supervise the activities. Activities at each park will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays.
On the first day, all children will report to the Youth Center on Henry Street. Thereafter, they will report to either Whittington or Clerico.
Pearson said applications for the program are available at City Hall and at the offices of city and county schools. Open registration is also scheduled for June 13 at both parks.
Pearson said the youngsters will have lots of outdoor activities to participate in such as basketball, tennis, volleyball,T-ball and coach-pitched baseball. Other activities will include arts and crafts, a creative dance class and presentations on health and wellness.
“I make sure they keep their focus on,” Pearson said.
The kids will also take a field trip to the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, he said.
Last year, parents helped by providing food once the summer feeding program ended.
“We just try to keep it fun in the parks and to make it as safe as possible for the kids,” Pearson said.
For more information, call the mayor’s office at 453-2246.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
