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Council adopts Kids Zone standards for Mansfield Activity Center; program remains recreational, not day care
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance setting standards of care for the Parks and Recreation Department's Kids Zone program: ages 6–11, summer capacity 48, counselor-to-child ratio 1:12 (1:8 for field trips). Registration opens March 3 for members.
MANSFIELD, Texas — The Mansfield City Council on Feb. 10 adopted an ordinance establishing operational standards for the Parks and Recreation Department’s Kids Zone program, the city’s supervised recreational program for school-age children.
Staff told council the ordinance codifies minimum standards for program administration, inspections and monitoring, staffing levels and training, facility standards, and other operational rules. The program serves children ages 6 through 11 during summer and school breaks; staff said the summer maximum enrollment is 48 participants and the capacity for shorter breaks (spring break, etc.) is 36.
Councilmember Julie Short asked about maximum enrollment; staff confirmed the summer cap is 48 and that registration for the summer program opens March 3. Councilmember Tamara Bounds asked about staffing; staff said the ratio is one counselor per 12 participants during typical operation and one counselor per eight participants for field trips. Staff also noted the program is recreational and not a licensed day care.
The ordinance includes the city’s required clauses covering repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, publication and an effective date. The council voted to adopt the standards by a unanimous 7-0 vote.
