Park & Recreation Month offers a lot to do in South Jordan’s parks
Jun 21, 2017 04:24PM ● By Billy Swartzfager
A child crawls through an obstacle last year during Park & Recreation Month (Emily Stephens/South Jordan City)
By
Billy Swartzfager | [email protected]
South Jordan City has hosted Park & Recreation Month each July for the past four years. It is a time during the summer that everyone in the city can find something entertaining to do outdoors in one of the city’s beautiful parks.
The activities are as varied as the folks who call the city home, and offer up some serious fun for whole families to enjoy. The city works hard each to year to improve and expand the events provided just to make sure that people have an amazing experience in their parks.
“We prepare by finding the best ways to utilize our park space and incorporate multiple activities that will be engaging for all audiences and all personalities,” said South Jordan City Special Events Coordinator Emily Stephens.
Beginning the first week of July, just after festivities for Independence Day, the city will hold mini tournaments, a new feature for 2017. The first tournament will be spike ball, on July 7 at Ascot Downs Park. Each Friday through July there will be a different tournament at a different park. The mini tournaments are the only activities during Park & Recreation Month that have a fee, and it is only a nominal one. Teams can sign up for spike ball, four-on-four soccer, doubles volleyball and family whiffle ball for only $10.
Last year’s biggest hit, Park & Recreation Family Night, will return on Monday, July 17, at Skye Park. The year’s biggest family event will include a number of great activities that encourage people to come out and spend time in the parks getting to know each other and their communities. There will be food trucks with picnic areas, relay races, board games, human twister and a chance to interact with and get autographs from Real Salt Lake players.
“We have opportunities for families to come out and play in the parks and enjoy being outside,” Stephens said.
There will be two family movies in the parks as well. “Moana” will be played at Heritage Park, July 14 at 9:30. And, families can watch “Finding Dory” at Sky Park on July 29. This year, there will be crafts and other things to do to make movie nights just that much better.
“Each movie night will have a fun activity and craft before the movie this year,” Stephens said. “I am excited to make a grass skirt and see the hula dancers perform before the movie ‘Moana’ this year.”
There is a committee whose job it is to evaluate the success of each event and decide whether to bring it back, or add to it in hopes to make it better. The geocaching events have been the longest running over the course of Park & Recreation Month. There are six locations that people have to find in order to collect a token. If someone turns in all six tokens, they receive a prize. In addition to the new mini tournaments, the committee has come up with Arts Express, a weekly arts and crafts program on Saturdays, starting on July 8 at 10:30 a.m. on Towne Center Drive. There will also be Fitness in the Park, with classes in both the morning and the evening focusing on various types of aerobic exercises and yoga. The fitness sessions will be on July 6 at Stone Haven Park at 9 a.m., July 10 at Prospector Park at 8 p.m., at Jordan Ridge Park on July 19 at 7 p.m. and July 28 at Skye Park at 9 a.m..
The month is going to be filled with a lot of amazing chances to get out and enjoy the parks South Jordan has to offer.
“Park and Recreation Month is all about bringing people out in the community and getting them to spend time together,” Stephens said. “This month is a great way to strengthen our neighborhoods and community ties.”
For more information, check out the website www.sjc.utah.gov.
South Jordan City has hosted Park & Recreation Month each July for the past four years. It is a time during the summer that everyone in the city can find something entertaining to do outdoors in one of the city’s beautiful parks.
The activities are as varied as the folks who call the city home, and offer up some serious fun for whole families to enjoy. The city works hard each to year to improve and expand the events provided just to make sure that people have an amazing experience in their parks.
“We prepare by finding the best ways to utilize our park space and incorporate multiple activities that will be engaging for all audiences and all personalities,” said South Jordan City Special Events Coordinator Emily Stephens.
Beginning the first week of July, just after festivities for Independence Day, the city will hold mini tournaments, a new feature for 2017. The first tournament will be spike ball, on July 7 at Ascot Downs Park. Each Friday through July there will be a different tournament at a different park. The mini tournaments are the only activities during Park & Recreation Month that have a fee, and it is only a nominal one. Teams can sign up for spike ball, four-on-four soccer, doubles volleyball and family whiffle ball for only $10.
Last year’s biggest hit, Park & Recreation Family Night, will return on Monday, July 17, at Skye Park. The year’s biggest family event will include a number of great activities that encourage people to come out and spend time in the parks getting to know each other and their communities. There will be food trucks with picnic areas, relay races, board games, human twister and a chance to interact with and get autographs from Real Salt Lake players.
“We have opportunities for families to come out and play in the parks and enjoy being outside,” Stephens said.
There will be two family movies in the parks as well. “Moana” will be played at Heritage Park, July 14 at 9:30. And, families can watch “Finding Dory” at Sky Park on July 29. This year, there will be crafts and other things to do to make movie nights just that much better.
“Each movie night will have a fun activity and craft before the movie this year,” Stephens said. “I am excited to make a grass skirt and see the hula dancers perform before the movie ‘Moana’ this year.”
There is a committee whose job it is to evaluate the success of each event and decide whether to bring it back, or add to it in hopes to make it better. The geocaching events have been the longest running over the course of Park & Recreation Month. There are six locations that people have to find in order to collect a token. If someone turns in all six tokens, they receive a prize. In addition to the new mini tournaments, the committee has come up with Arts Express, a weekly arts and crafts program on Saturdays, starting on July 8 at 10:30 a.m. on Towne Center Drive. There will also be Fitness in the Park, with classes in both the morning and the evening focusing on various types of aerobic exercises and yoga. The fitness sessions will be on July 6 at Stone Haven Park at 9 a.m., July 10 at Prospector Park at 8 p.m., at Jordan Ridge Park on July 19 at 7 p.m. and July 28 at Skye Park at 9 a.m..
The month is going to be filled with a lot of amazing chances to get out and enjoy the parks South Jordan has to offer.
“Park and Recreation Month is all about bringing people out in the community and getting them to spend time together,” Stephens said. “This month is a great way to strengthen our neighborhoods and community ties.”
For more information, check out the website www.sjc.utah.gov.
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