The Lakewood Recreation Department presented a year-in-review to the Lakewood Board of Education on Nov. 24 that emphasized growing youth participation, outreach to younger athletes, and operational pressures tied to facility scheduling and staffing.

Mark Walter and Leslie Favor Krogman said the department is celebrating 100 years of service and reported higher registrations in youth sports: Krogman noted 488 in-house youth basketball registrations and a total of 560 participants including travel programs. The department highlighted growth in girls’ baseball/softball programs and said targeted outreach and coach engagement helped increase participation.

Operational details included a recent decline in attendance at Beck’s Pool attributed to Foster Pool’s renovation and changes to the district’s nonresident policy; presenters said there is a Beck’s Pool construction plan on file for 2027. The Recreation Department also said it activated 3,102 facility permits this year and certified more than 160 lifeguards.

Officials discussed referee and umpire shortages and described a new PE-based certification program to grow youth referees and umpires, plus free coaching clinics run by varsity coaches to support volunteer coaches. The department noted equipment and staffing cost pressures and said fundraising, sponsorships and a $7,500 Healthy Lakewood Foundation grant helped provide scholarships.

Board members asked about outreach to middle-school students, scheduling, and subcommittee structure; CREC representatives said subcommittees (athletics, fundraising, volunteers, financial audit) operate informally under the community recreation education commission umbrella and meet monthly with partner groups such as Lakewood United Football Club and Lakewood Community Baseball/Softball Association.

No formal board action was taken on the presentation.