Tracy Press

The Mayor's Youth Support Network and the parks department kicked off its Rollin' Rec truck this week, which takes games and activities to kids around the city.

Tracy’s Department of Parks and Community Services unveiled a new afterschool program this week to bring recreational fun to kids in their own neighborhoods.

The "Rollin’ Rec" program will provide activities for children from ages 8 through 14 years from 2:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays in a different park each week around town. On Monday and Tuesday, the truck was at McDonald Park, offering arts and crafts projects, leader-led activities, board games and sports to neighborhood kids.

The purpose of the program, run under the auspices of the city-funded Mayor’s Youth Support Network, is to help kids and teens build a sense of community by getting them together and giving them safe, positive opportunities for fun.

Last year, the Tracy Police Department saw juvenile crime increase between 3 and 4 p.m. on weekdays. Those statistics, according to a statement from the city, along with results from community forums and youth focus groups, demonstrate the need for positive recreation experiences in neighborhoods with poor facilities.

Twelve-year-old Damon Sanchez, who lives off C and West Fourth streets, said he’d take advantage of the program if more sports equipment was passed out.

"If they’re passing out, like baseball gloves and bats and balls, then I’d be down," he said. "But I don’t care about board games."

Mark Gabriel, 13, who lives on Askren Court, said he agreed that a variety of sports equipment should be offered.

"Everyone has footballs and basketballs," he said. "What about in-line hockey equipment and tennis rackets?"

McDonald Park, through Friday

Marlow Brothers Park, Aug. 25 through 29

Galli Park, Sept. 2 through 5

El Pescadero Park, Sept. 8 through 12

Zanussi Park, Sept. 15 through 19

Thoming Park, Sept. 22 through 26

Tracy Sports Complex, Sept. 29 through Oct. 3

Kenner Park, Oct. 6 through 10

Lincoln Park, Oct. 13 through 17

Yasui Park, Oct. 20 through 24

Marlow Park, Oct. 27 through 31

Kenner Park, Nov. 3 through 7

Larsen Park, Nov. 10 through 14

Galli Park, Nov. 17 through 21

Tracy Sports Complex, Dec. 1 through 5

McDonald Park, Dec. 8 through 12

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments