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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-10-04, Page 22PAGE 10A--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1973 Summer playground deemed successful The playgound program operated and supported by the 'Goderich.---Recreation Commit- tee during the summer was the first time- that, this type of program has been undertaken on such a large scale. Following is a report com- piled by playground co- ordinator Gary Loundsbury af- ter receiving evaluation reports froth each supervisor. "Being the first time a playground program has been attempted on as large a scale as it was, this then can be looked on as an experimental year". "The main purpose for any evaluation is to take an objec- tive look at your program, suc- cesses and failures, pick out problem areas, and plan and improve next year." "Our objective this year was straightforward and - simple, We attempted to provide a program of planned ,activities for children six to twelve, to give them a meaningful, en-, joyable and fun social ex, perience. This was partly achieved by interaction' bet- ween playgrounds." "Playgrounds were situated in four areas this year: Harbor Park, Robertson School, Cam- bridge St. and Judith Gooderham Pohl. By situating the playgrounds as such we felt every area of the town could be conveniently serviced.';;,,, "The program ran from July 9 to Aug. 17." "The Harbor Park • playground was originally located at .St. Chirstopher's Beach. Attendance was poor, and it seemed that parents would not allow their Children to walk down the hill. This was w-...-`..the—reasqir foot " the change in location." ."Activities carried out during the summer were: arts, crafts, active games, drama -music, sports, quiet games and special events." "We worked on the assump- tion that too much program- ming in one area would cause boredom and a drop in atten- dance. Therefore as diversified a program as . possible was provided revolving around the above activities." "A special event of sorts was JUST MOVED? What you need right now is a helping hand... �cOMEWM 1111 planned for each week the playgrounds were in operation. This proved to create more en- thusiasm and participation, from both children and staff." "Our special events consisted of: a parade, free roller skating, free swimming, hike to Piper's dam, sleep -out, baseball game and a penny carnival." "Each staff person attended a week long Leadership Training Course at Vanastra Developments in Clinton. The camp was staffed by Recreation Directors and other people ex- perienc:,ed in recreation. Here, ideas were exchanged and lear- ned by playground supervisors, in the way of arts, crafts, quiet games, active games, sports, drama, music, special events, File c Director's report program planning, public relations and first aid." "Aside from this course at a meeting prior to the playgroiind openings, the staff was issued with our own expectations, desires and policies." "We made the best possible use of the local newspaper to advertise the existence of each location and activities going on Recre/action still question The playground program for this year was completed on August 17, and it is felt that for the first,, attempt that it was successful. The swimming pool was closed on September 1,0th. It was hoped that the season could be longer, but as soon as school started, interest com- pletely dropped off. Although attendance was not up much over last year, weather was ,ex- cellent. The new heating system did not receive the kind of test that would prove its efficiency as the weather this summer was ex- cellent. Beach patrol was discon tinued after the" Labour Day weekend. As the weather was good this summer, attendance was high at the beach and the staff were kept very busy. The only major recommendation to be made for next year is the shifting of the area one hun- dred yards South to avoid the hazard of the breakwall and the debris and scum that collects there. Recre/action completed its _ project at the end of August. Recreation group plans Santa parade The Goderich Recreation Committee met for the first time Thursday evening after a three month recess. The meeting with all member's in attendance proved to be relatively quiet. . The date for the 1973 edition of the Santa Claus Parade was set for December 1. It is expec- ted that the, Kinsmen Club which handled the event last year, will be asked to marshal it again. Plans for the operation and Location of this year's Santa's Court are not - finalized yet. The Goderich Businessmen's Association will be approached for ideas on the to be held on two consecutive Saturdays in October _ was discussed and approved on the grounds that the clinic could be beneficial not only to the coaches and referees but also to the hundreds of minor hockey players. "The Minor Hockey Association has to be aware 'however that this $400 was budgeted for them to cover any deficits in operation this year, and by getting this grant they are going to have to work har- der because the money may not be come by so easily at the end of the year", stated Stan Profit. Recreation Director Mike parade this year. Dymond.. -informed the commit - .._It. -..was -expressed— at. thi— n"rei'eg'te meeting Thursday night that of proposed indoor pool project is prime concern was the incon- venience on the rise and that organized veniience of parents having to meetings should take place this take their children` down to the fall to further discuss the. arena after the parade. feasibility of the project. "Besides being an effort, the A report read by Dymond, separate location,. of Santa's. from the Huron Minor Soccer Court tends td"take potential Association stated that they are shoppers away from the completing a very successful business section," one commit- year and are looking toward tee member stated. better things next season. The request for a $400 grant from the Goderich Minor Hockey Association to assist them in, the operation of a coaching and refereeing clinic Bridge Scores Be sure to get irr touch with the Welcome -Wagon hostess. She can help you get to know your new -com- munity as quickly as pos- sible.. Phone 5 24-6086 There were six tables in play at the Goderich Duplicate Bridge Club on Tuesday, Sep- tember 25. Winners and their scores were as follows: Mrs. D. D. Worthy and Mrs. W. Duncan, 88; A. J. Weerasooriya and Dr. A. B. Deathe, 84 1/2; Mrs. Joanne Duckworth and- Lee Ryan, 77; Mrs. J. Peters and .Mrs. G. White, 72 1/2. Now ON SPECIAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS They were successful in in- troducing a number of new programs to the area for the summer, and involved ap- proximately two hundred people, most of which were teens. • A proposal is now in the hands of the ' London office, Sports and Recreation Branch, requesting funds to continue the project for a period of a year. If the project receives fun- ding, all, its work will ,be done in 'connecting with a youth council, of which I have spoken on several occasions. SummerFest 73 has been considered a success for the first attempt. A meeting was held on September 13th to evaluate the program, and plan for 74. Six people were present at the meeting and a decision was made to contact all groups inr Goderich and invite them to another meeting to be held on the 5th of November. Definite plans --for—next year- wily : k e discussed, and a• committee will be established.. Together with the Provincial program and the local sailing program, about 100 people were exposed to introductory sailing techniques this summer. A meeting will be head on Mon- day to evaluate theA programs. and take a serious look at next year. Tentative upcoming fall programs include: Men's Recreational Fitness Program, Yoga, Saturday Morning Club, Flower -Arranging, Ladies Day Out, Advanced Photography, Karate„ 13allet,,, ,ijud Major ,,- tes and Goderich Youth Coun- cil. Two of the above activities are under way now, and the remaining will be operational around the middle of October. Complete details have not been worked. out on these to date, but will be completed soon. All programs will be advertised. and registration held during the next two weeks. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Ronald L. - McDonald CHARTERED' ACCOUNTANT 39 St. David St., 524-6253 Goderich, Ontario DIESEL there. Posters and leaflets were distributed throughout The town advertising playgrounds and special events.'" "As it always seems to be, the children were our best publicity. You can always count on them- to spread the word." "Attendance at each location seemed to fluctuate, and at some parks more than others. 'This could be due to several things; families leaving town on %acation, no enthusiasm or desire to participate on the part of some children, poor programming by staff." "I found after an attendance drop that the staff became bored and apathetic. When at- tendance did pick up, the staffs enthusiasm did not. Therefore a constant boost or push was necessary which often was resented.„ "Also we had trouble with the staff not following policies that we had laid down for them. This may h9ve been due to our attitude at the first of the year, in possibly not being directive enough." "Working with people and personalities has to be the most difficult job there is, especially in the short time we knew and had to work with the playground staff. It seemed that by the time we were begin- ning to understand them, fie program had ended. This is a problem that no doubt will oc- cur year after year. The only solution is to work by trial and error." • "It is possible that with a new staff next summer the problems encountered this year may iiot arise next year _Therefore any su'ggestions-I -put-- down later as to why problems did occur should only be used as guidelines when drawing up new policies."- ' 1 personally heard very lit- tle from individuals on their reaction to the program. Several -parents did express their appreciation and -thought the Playground Program was excellent. Others thought that there sho'ild have been more time spent en activities their children enjoyed." "It is unfortunate that in working with two hundred children that you can't please everyone." "It* ' was discussed whether supervisors shotAld be paid hourly or.by salaries. An hourly wage would insure that they were paid only for the- hours they put in. If there were no children in the playground or it dined one day they would be paid. Bat there would certainly have -to be some compensation for a steady week of rain." "On the other hand, on salary they would be paid for days it rained but wouldn't be paid for hours after five, exam- ple, sleepout, penny carnival." "In my opinion the 1973 Playground Program was a definite success. If only two or three children on each area were satisfied, then I think we must deem it a success." rnArihur • et`t GODERICN � �� & OWEN SOUND Floor Coverings - Paints- Wallpapers Draperies 18th Century Furniture BeN RE�inisMor IN-GODERICH PHONE 524.8532 MANAGER - CLAYTON MI ()till\1 lO .0111)11 1Oh (,OO1)(- Ili/1\',fHlf The newly established Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship is awarded to citizens of the province who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare of others, without any expectation of personal benefit. Anyone can nominate a person for the Ontario Medal. 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