'Rec center on wheels' program starts

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - For The Californian | Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:49 PM PDT ∞

MENIFEE -- The title might be fancy but the idea behind it is strikingly simple.

A pilot program launched Monday called the Mobile Activities Recreation Services is akin to a "rec center on wheels," said Bill Brown, operations manager for Riverside County's community service division.

A van is stuffed full of toys, games and sports equipment, and is driven to a park where neighborhood kids can sign up to play with all the stuff under the supervision of county recreation supervisors, he said.

"There are a lot of kids that are bored out there," he said. "We are trying to catch them."

Its debut Monday in Menifee appeared successful, despite only a few children showing up. The ones who did often laughed and smiled as the adults played games with them.

"We are trying to make it cool for them," Brown said.

Recreation supervisors said they hope more kids come out as word of the program spreads. The program runs from 9 a.m. through noon daily at various parks around Menifee, Sun City and Wildomar. Children ages 5 through 14 are eligible to participate.

Eight-year-old Menifee resident Brittany Wilkins, who was at Monday's event, said she thinks kids would like it.

"I am having fun," she said. "My favorite was the relay races."

In addition to adult-led sports and relay races, children have a variety of things to keep them busy. A table under a shade structure at the Menifee event was crammed with arts and crafts, games such as Twister and Jenga, Frisbees, hula hoops and a variety of balls. Refreshments were also on hand.

"It's free, and that's awesome," said Quail Valley resident Kathy D'Amico, who signed up her children Abby, 7, and Nicky, 6, for the Menifee program as she sat at a nearby table cutting coupons and getting some sun.

"I hope more people find out about it," D'Amico added. "I think it's great. It will be a blast for the kids in the neighborhood to get a chance to get to know each other and get out of the house in the morning."

On Tuesday, more than 60 kids showed up for the MARS program at its Wildomar park debut, Brown said.

"It was still going strong around 11 despite the heat," he said.

County officials are targeting areas in which large recreation centers have yet to be built, Brown said, adding that Menifee and Wildomar are two such places. There are two MARS vans, one that is dedicated to Menifee and Sun City, and another that is focused on the La Sierra, Victoria Grove, Wildomar and Sycamore Creek areas, he said.

The Menifee van was funded by its park district, and the other van was funded by county Supervisor Bob Buster's community improvement funds, Brown said. The total cost of the pilot program was about $100,000, he said.

The park visits will run throughout July and August, after which officials will decide whether to continue, or even expand, the program based on public interest, Brown said.

"I have a strong feeling it will be successful," Brown said.

PARK PLAY

A van filled with games, sports equipment, arts and crafts and packaged snacks and drinks is coming to a neighborhood park near you. Mobile Activities Recreation Services is serving as a recreation center on wheels, providing supervised recreation for children ages 5 through 14.

The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

-- Mondays: Marsh Park, 27050 School Park Drive, Menifee

-- Tuesdays: at Peterson Park, 29621 Park City Avenue, Menifee

-- Tuesdays: at Windsong Park, 35459 Prairie Road, Wildomar

-- Wednesdays: at Lazy Creek Park, 26480 Lazy Creek Road, Sun City

-- Thursdays: at La Ladera Park, 29629 La Ladera Road, Menifee

More information, visit: www.rivcoeda.org or call (951) 696-0100

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