Overview of the Department and Programs

When this department was first developed, athletics were the only service provided; in addition, we now offer a variety of activities to include programs for tiny tots, fitness classes, cultural arts and group encounters designed for senior citizens. We feel that the constructive use of leisure time in useful recreation pursuits will increase the participant's knowledge and skills, and improve their health (Mental and physical) is a community resource of great value. We provide recreational activities for the youth, adolescents and adults.

I. ADMINISTRATION

A. Recreation Commission:

1. Established by the Board of Supervisors in 1970.

2. Ten members (2 from each district) appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

3. Policy making Commission meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room in the Recreation Department located in the Rockingham County Administrative Complex.

B. Full Time Employees

1. Eight full time paid staff members: Director, Athletic Programs Supervisor, Recreation Programs Supervisor, Secretary, Maintenance Technician, Recreation Technician, Athletic Technician and Athletic Maintenance Technician.

2. Part Time Help: Over 100 part time helpers (Playground Supervisors, Instructors, League Commissioners, Officials, etc.)

3. Volunteers: 200 plus volunteers - Coaches for youth league teams (baseball, softball, football, basketball, youth wrestling, youth volleyball, soccer, etc.)

II. FACILITIES

A. Albert Long Park: Mr. & Mrs. Albert Long donated this 6-acre park to the department in August of 1970. The park is located on Route 710 (Ridge Road) off of Port Republic Road. The park has a Little League baseball field, which is used for Farm and Little League games. The field may be reserved by teams for practice. The park also has a parking area and a picnic shelter, which may be reserved by calling the Recreation Department at 564-3160.

B. Bergton Community Recreation Center: This 8-acre area was formerly the Bergton Elementary School. The Recreation Department became responsible for this facility on August 1, 1988. The outside area consists of playground equipment, paved asphalt area for basketball, volleyball, softball field, picnic tables, picnic shelter and horseshoe pits. The building consists of a fully equipped kitchen, an all-purposed room with stage, rest rooms, and seven former classrooms. A mini-library, which is an extension of the Rockingham Public Library, is operating in one of the rooms. Another room is being used for a weight and exercise area. In addition the all-purpose room, with stage, can be set up for an indoor archery shooting area. Calling the Recreation Department at 564-3160 may reserve the facility.

C. Singers Glen Community Recreation Center: This facility was once the old Singers Glen Elementary School. The outside facilities consist of a baseball/softball field, playground equipment, barbecue pit, and picnic tables. The building consists of a gymnasium, which may be used for volleyball, basketball, exercise classes, etc. The Singers Glen Ruritan Club and Rockingham County recently remodeled a kitchen dining/meeting room and rest rooms. Church groups, civic groups and private groups, use this facility. The Ruritan Club constructed a picnic shelter, which is available for use. Reservations are made through the Recreation Department at 564-3160.

D. J. Frank Hillyard Field: This is a 5-acre area of land located in the Town of Broadway. This used to be the old Broadway High School baseball field. The area consists of a nice softball field which is used for league play and weekend tournaments. There are also horseshoe pits, barbecue grills, picnic tables, swings, as well as a basketball court.

E. Broadway Neighborhood Park: This 3-acre federal surplus property was given to Rockingham County, July 1988 for the purpose of developing a neighborhood park. The property is located on Rt. 803 near Linville Creek Church of the Brethren. A picnic shelter and horseshoe pits have been constructed and are available for use. Thirty-six trees have been planted on the property. The Plains Area Day Care Center signed a lease on January 1, 1991 to use the property for a Day Care Center. They began operation in August 1991. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The building was renovated and a fenced-in playground was constructed. The building is available for use by community groups. Reservations for the picnic shelter and building should be made through the Recreation Department 564-3160.

F. Ruritan Clubs: The Recreation Department uses a number of Ruritan Club's softball/baseball fields for its youth and summer leagues. Ruritan Club members contribute countless hours of time to coaching youth teams. The clubs also furnish equipment and uniforms for some of the youth league football and baseball teams.

G. Rockingham County Public Schools: The County Schools are the site for many department activities. With the use of the schools, the Department can offer programs to all areas of the County.

1. Elementary Schools: John Wayland, Elkton, Fulks Run, South River, Linville-Edom, McGaheysville, Mountain View, Ottobine, Peak View, Plains, Pleasant Valley, John C. Myers, Lacey Spring.

2. Middle Schools: Wilbur Pence, Elkton, Montevideo, J. Frank Hillyard

3. High Schools: Spotswood, Turner Ashby, and Broadway

H. Grand Caverns Regional Park: Located near Grottoes, this is used by the Recreation Department for some programs and activities.

I. Local town parks: Little League baseball, football, and summer playgrounds.

J. Churches: Brown Memorial United Church of Christ in McGaheysville for our Little School program.

III. ATHLETICS

A. Youth Baseball: Ages 5-18

1. Locations: Keezletown, Mt. Crawford, Clover Hill, Elkton, Broadway, Bridgewater, Grottoes, West Rockingham

B. Girl's Softball: Ages 8-18

1. Locations: Bridgewater, Broadway, Elkton, and Grottoes

C. Midget Football: Ages 8-13, 425 participants, [B-league: 10 teams, A league: 6 teams)

1. Locations: Broadway, Fulks Run, Timberville, Linville, Dayton, Bridgewater, McGaheysville, and Elkton

D. Cheerleading: Ages 8-13, 250 participants Locations: Same as football.

E. Youth Basketball: Ages 7-14, 1200 participants

1. Locations: Montevideo Middle School, Elkton Middle School, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Spotswood High School, Broadway High School, Fulks Run Elementary School, Plains Elementary School, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, John Wayland Elementary School, John C. Myers Elementary School.

F. Men's Softball: Adults (Slow Pitch-250 participants)

1. Locations: Broadway, West Rockingham.

G. Mixed Softball: Adults, 75 participants

1. Locations: West Rockingham.

H. Women's Spring Volleyball: Adults-220 participants, 22 teams

1. Locations: John Wayland Elementary School, Montevideo Middle School, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School, and McGaheysville Elementary School.

I. Women's Fall Volleyball: Adults, 220 participants, and 22 teams

1. Locations: John Wayland Elementary School, Montevideo Middle School, and McGaheysville Elementary School.

J. Mixed Volleyball: Adults-120 participants, 13 teams

1. Locations: Montevideo Middle School, John Wayland Elementary School, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School, McGaheysville Elementary School.

K. Youth Soccer: Ages 7-14 Spring and fall program with 850 participants.

1. Locations: Oakdale Park in Bridgewater, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School, Montevideo Middle School, John C. Myers Elementary School, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Monger Field in Mt Crawford.

L. Youth Wrestling: Grades 3-7, 150 participants

1. Locations: Spotswood High School, Turner Ashby High School, Broadway High School, and J. Frank Hillyard Middle School

M. Aerobics /Physical Fitness: All ages

1. Locations: South River Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School.

IV. PROGRAMS

A. Little School: 3-5 years old, 75 participants

1. Locations: McGaheysville and Bergton

B. Baton and Pom Pom classes: 3-12 years old,

1. Locations: McGaheysville Elementary School and J. Frank Hillyard Middle

C. Summer Playgrounds: 4-12 year olds, 500 participants Located at the following schools: Elkton, John C. Myers, John Wayland, Wilbur Pence, McGaheysville, Mountain View, Peak View, South River, Lacey Spring.

D. Easter Egg Hunt: 200-300 participants

1. Location: Albert Long Park

E. Senior Citizen Groups: 250 participants

1. Locations: Singers Glen, Elkton, Mt Valley-Tenth Legion, Linville-Edom, East Rockingham, Broadway/Timberville, Clover Hill, Grottoes, Keezletown

F. Senior Citizen Trips: The Recreation Department sponsors one-day trips to various places.

G. Senior Citizen's Christmas Dinner: 150 participants

1. Locations: Local area restuarants

H. Santa Claus Letters: 3-9 year olds, 800 children contacted

1. Locations: Forms sent to all elementary schools in County. Letters sent from the Recreation Department.

I. Christmas Card Contest: Grades 3-5, 1,100 entries

1. Locations: Open to all children in Rockingham County Schools grades 3-5; the objective is to design a Christmas Card for the Recreation Department.

J. Learn to Ski Program: Discount Ski Passes: Learn to Ski program for ages 7 & up, 200 participants (Friday or Sunday evenings, January - February).

1. Locations: Massanutten Ski Resort

K. Discount tickets: Kings Dominion: All ages, discount tickets for the amusement park.