With near-perfect weather conditions to welcome its over 400 participants, “Saturdays in the Park” debuted this past weekend at Bear Pen Park and organizers were more than pleased with the day’s happenings.
“This is great,” an obviously elated Todd Davis smiled. “We are thrilled with today’s turn-out and we are thrilled with the level of participation. Parents and children showed up today ready to learn and ready to embrace the outdoor recreation lifestyle we were championing here today.”
Davis, Recreation Degree Program Coordinator and Outdoor Recreation Director at Delta State University, spearheaded the first of four scheduled “Saturdays in the Park” events. The day featured canoeing, camp fires, tent building, fishing, bicycling, outdoor games including Ultimate Frisbee and wiffle ball, kite flying, hula-hoops and sidewalk chalk.
Participants were also able to roast their own hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire, all while learning the benefits of a waste-free lifestyle.
“We are using all paper products today – paper cups, paper plates to hold the apple slices, paper napkins. We want to be able to leave this park today with absolutely no waste, and we are teaching the children that when camping you can use paper products and burn those before you leave the campsite. It’s just another example of the lifestyle choices we are exposing participants to today.”
A collaborative effort between Delta State University’s College of Education and its Health, Physical Education & Recreation Department and Division of Family & Consumer Sciences, the Center for Community and Economic Development and the School of Nursing, in cooperation with Cleveland School District, Cleveland Park Commission and the Leaders of Delta Health & Wellness, the next “Saturdays in the Park” is slated for May 30, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at East Side Park.
May’s event will wrap around a theme of Sports and Sportsmanship.
“We will have area coaches and players involved in conducting morning clinics. By the afternoon, we’d like to get some pick-up games going,” Dr. John Alvarez, Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at Delta State, explained. “More than that, though, we want people utilizing our parks and taking ownership of their health with active lifestyle choices.”
The event is free and open to all ages.
For more information on “Saturdays in the Park,” please contact the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at (662) 846-4555 or the Cleveland Park Commission at (662) 846-6605.
To become involved with Saturdays in the Park, please contact saturdaysinthepark@live.com.
This is a recognized Delta State University Year of Partnerships Event.