By Tom Ganser
Matt Amundson, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Whitewater, and Michelle Dujardin, Recreation and Events Programmer, presented Whitewater Rotarians with an update about several on-going projects at their meeting on May 27.
Amundson began by comparing the dramatic increase between 2007 and 2013 in program offerings (61 vs. 233), participants (1,797 vs. 20, 236) and department revenues ($51,991 vs. $120,782).
Amundson gave an update on the construction progress at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, with an emphasis on the multi-layer playing surface that is comparable in quality to that of the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s baseball field.
Other topics covered by Amundson included: the 2014 Sponsorship Program for Starin Park Improvements that has generated $19,750 in support; the Bike and Pedestrian Plan to update the Whitewater area bike loop and safety guide, along with the installation of comprehensive signage and a trail marketing program; the Mechanical Lake Harvesting and Whitewater Creek Restoration projects; and a Facilities Improvement project for the five buildings associated with the Parks and Recreation Department, including developing a 5-year plan for roofing upgrades.
Amudson said progress has been made in formulating a Strategic Plan for the department that began in 2013, with the “goal of expanding (the) Park and Open Space Plan to a more usable document for the entire department.”
Dujardin focused her remarks on the development of the before and after school programs saying they provide solid evidence of “win-win” partnering between the Parks and Recreation Department and the Whitewater Unified School District.
Beginning in Fall 2014, the programs will be offered at the three Whitewater elementary schools from 6:30 to 8 a.m. before school and after school until 6 p.m.
The programs will provide homework support, physical activities and snacks. According to Dujardin, the programs are also intended to “support discipline and character programs in place at the schools.”
