While Murrieta's top finance officials are working to halt the city's slip into red ink, the Parks and Recreation Department is increasing the number of classes to be offered this spring and summer.

Additions to the April through September lineup are children's music and theater classes and youth golf. In the latter, players will be allowed to hit real golf balls at a driving range rather than plastic ones in a city park.

"Golf we had years ago, but we don't allow golf balls in the parks," said Colby Diuguid, the recreation supervisor coordinating the effort to send new recreation guides to residents. "They had to use Wiffle balls, but this (new class) will be at the driving range."

The guide, which will be mailed to residents next week, features schedules for 114 different activities, 20 of which are new. The activities range from cooking classes to children's belly dancing and learning to play with a rock band.

Recreation officials said they are able to expand the program despite the city's budget constraints by fitting classes in slots where nothing was offered before. Underscoring the need to save on even the most innocuous costs, the city is working to cover a potential $3 million shortfall this year and more in the coming years. To help control their costs this year, parks and recreation leaders are emphasizing online registration.

Residents and nonresidents who want to sign up for a recreation class online can do so by visiting www.Murrieta.org and following the Parks and Recreation link on the list of city departments. Alternately, computer users can access the registration page at www.Murrieta.org/subscribeline/index.asp .

The department will also hold a registration fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20. Teachers promoting their classes will offer demonstrations and information during the fair at Town Square Park, and on-site registrants will enjoy a 10 percent discount.

Those who would like to take the Wednesday night Zumba fitness dance class at the Community Center and learn to cook vegetarian cuisine at the same place on Friday nights can do so by signing up for those and all other classes at the Community Center, 41810 Juniper St., or by sending your registration to City Hall, 24601 Jefferson Ave. Phone registration is not available.

The Community Services Department operates from a budget separate from the city's general fund. Funded primarily through property taxes, the department is responsible for providing the fringe benefits of living in and around the city.

The department holds special events, including the city's annual Birthday Bash and Santa Run, and also receives some money from sponsorships and pinches of aid from the much larger city general fund, said Lea Kolek, a management analyst with the city.

The city allows instructors to offer an approved class, works with the instructor to set an appropriate participation fee and 30 percent of the fees go toward covering the cost of using city buildings and space. Many of the new classes, particularly those that will be held to augment home schooling, are made possible by better managing the schedule of when and where classes are held, he said. Diuguid said classes are being scheduled for times when city facilities are not currently being used.

"We're trying to get creative right now and try some new things," he said.

John Wallace, who will teach junior golf through the recreation program, has been teaching adolescents golf for more than a dozen years. Wallace, director of Murrieta Valley Junior Golf Association, said the game is accessible to anyone. He previously taught golf to children with autism, children missing limbs and children who are blind, he said.

"I'm all for promoting the game of golf," Wallace said of why he decided to partner with the city. "I know what it did for me when I was a kid. It kept me out of trouble."

Call staff writer Nelsy Rodriguez at 951-676-4315, ext. 2626.