Playground Program

Keasia Torrence, 6, and Corrina McGee, 15, swing at Jersey City Park while friends Zion DeBose and Melynda Nelson give them a push. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

Zion DeBose rounds second base, passing Corrina McGee, during a kickball game. Photo by Shelley Smith, Salisbury Post.

By Shelley Smith

ssmith@salisburypost.com

For most children, summer is their favorite time of year. They are free of homework, fluorescent lights and sometimes, rules, and are allowed to roam freely around their neighborhoods, or stay cooled off inside, watching television or playing video games.

But for the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department and the Rowan-Salisbury School System, summer should be a time to continue fellowship among other students or friends in each neighborhood, and more importantly, a time to get outside and stay active.

Salisbury Parks and Recreation and the Rowan-Salisbury School System have pulled together once again this summer for the Summer Playground Program, which provides free lunches, arts and crafts, games and supervision for children Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The four locations — Jersey City Park, Cannon Park, Lincoln Park and Long Street Park — host activities with two Parks and Recreation counselors there to keep the children engaged in different activities. The daily activities and lunches are free.

”I think the critical part of the playground program is to provide all children in the community some sort of summer activity,“ said Gail Elder White, director of Salisbury Parks and Recreation. ”It gives the kids a chance to get out of the house. Kids are glued to televisions now.

”The nice part about including the playgrounds, is it provides kids a safe place to come, too. It’s a valuable program.“

A visit to Jersey City Park Friday proved the program to be a positive part of children’s lives during their time off from school. Aside from the physical activities at the Jersey City Park, the children also created construction paper chains, decorating the playground equipment and picnic shelter.

Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Jaelan McClellan said Friday was only his third day participating in the program, and he already knew he’d be back next summer.

”It’s better than sitting at home because I get to just play,“ Jaelan said. ”I walk from my house to play basketball here.“

Zion DeBose, 11, also enjoys the fellowship.

”I like how I can meet new people here and how the counselors always keep us occupied,“ he said. ”We always have fun activities and I love playing basketball at the camp.“

Twelve-year-old Bianca McGee is also a fan of the basketball games.

”And I’ve made a lot of friends,“ she added.

Melynda Nelson, 14, said she also enjoyed the program not only because it’s fun, but because it keeps herself and others active.

”It’s a great program that’s keeping kids active,“ she said. ”A lot of kids are obese, and I don’t want to get that way. This is great exercise and a lot of fun.“

Counselor George McGee, who took advantage of such programs when he was a child, said being a counselor and role model for children was important to him and was a good way to give back to the community.

”It’s giving them (the children) something to do, getting them out of the house, and keeping them out of trouble,“ he said. ”It’s also giving me something to do, keeping me active.“

The 2010 program began June 14 and will run until Aug. 14. Children ages 5 through 17 are welcome to attend.

”We hope people will take advantage of it,“ said White. ”It’s a great value.“

Contact Shelley Smith at 704-797-4246.

What other kids think:

• Keasia Torrence, six years old - ”We get to have fun, we get to eat candy and we get to play games. We play basketball and we get to decorate the playground. We also get to pour water on our feet.“

• Corrina McGee, 15 years old - ”It’s fun and it’s better than sitting in the house and not doing anything. I’ve made a lot of new friends.“

• Kesean Torrence, eight years old - ”We can play basketball and play UNO. I like painting ice cream cones.“