City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, May 24, 2016) – Mayor Lovely A.Warren and City Council President Loretta Scott announced today that City summer recreation programming will begin on June 27. They also cut a ribbon on a new spray park located at the Roxie Ann Sinkler R-Center, 75 Grover St. The spray park will officially open along with other spray parks around the city this Friday, May 28.
“Summer is almost here which means it’s time for parents to start researching opportunities to keep their children healthy and engaged over the summer months,” said Mayor Warren. “The City of Rochester has a lot to offer kids this summer to help them stay sharp, be safe and have fun.”
The City’s recreation programs include the low-cost ArtSmart and Youth Sports Camps, Summer Swim Academy and a full lineup of educational programming under the direction of more than 600 well trained and passionate R-Center staff members.
At ArtSmart, kids set their imaginations free, exploring painting, dance, music, theatre and more in beautiful Cobbs Hill Park. At Youth Sports Camp, located in the historic Genesee Valley Park, kids try a different sport each week, no previous experience is necessary. Kids also have the opportunity to meet professional athletes. Both camps offer field trips to exciting and educational Rochester attractions. The camps offer kids ages 6 through 13 fun from July 5 to Aug. 26, Mon. through Fri., from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the affordable rate of $100 per week for city residents and $145 per week for those living outside the city.
Several City R-Centers are offering free specialized “magnet” day programs which feature activities centered on focused areas of interest such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), sports, the arts and the environment. In these programs, kids learn by doing through investigation, experimentation and problem solving. Enrichment activities are led by professional staff and topic experts. Each magnet program also includes time for organized play, field trips related to the magnet theme, and outings to Rochester’s recreational and cultural attractions.
During the summer, City R-Centers will open at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday; closing times vary. Select R-Centers will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays including Adams Street, Avenue D, Campbell Street, Carter Street, David F. Gantt, Flint Street, Frederick Douglass and Thomas P. Ryan.
The summer is also a good time to learn to swim or brush up on swimming skills. The Summer Swim Academy offers free swim lessons for kids ages 6 through 18 at several indoor and outdoor pools around the city beginning July 5. Low-cost lessons for adults are also available.
A newly constructed spray park at the Roxie Ann Sinkler R-Center was also officially unveiled today. The project includes a new colorful concrete splash pad with upright spray features, utility upgrades, new fencing and benches and upgrade compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project cost $363,000 and took approximately six months to complete.
“We are proud to bring this new water playground to the Lincoln Park, Dutchtown and 19th Ward neighborhoods,” said Mayor Warren. “Investments like this help create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods which lead to more jobs and better educational opportunities for our citizens.”
For more information on summer recreation programs, call the Bureau of Recreation at 428-6755, or pick up a Recreation Summer Guide at City Libraries, R-Centers and the City of Rochester Public Market. Guides are also available at www.cityofrochester.gov/summerrec.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.