Parks & Rec reports surge in enrollment and growing childcare demand; scholarships expand
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Summary
Parks & Recreation staff told the commission that total program enrollment rose to 3,485 in 2025, camps and aftercare have reached capacity at times, and the department awarded more than $67,000 in scholarships as it seeks additional council funding.
Parks & Recreation Director Tim Berry and staff presented the department’s 2025 programming review on Jan. 26, reporting a jump in participation and rising pressures on childcare and summer camps.
The presentation outlined enrollment, staffing and scholarship data. “Our total enrollment was 3,485,” recreation coordinator Erin Duggan said, adding that this is about 500 more participants than in 2024. Staff described growing demand for youth classes and camps and said the department added four art teachers and two skateboard instructors to meet demand.
Why it matters: Families and staff told commissioners they sometimes face full capacity. Alexandra Duran Esparza, director of the Corte Madera Children’s Center, said the center’s two portables can serve up to 60 children and that some programs have reached capacity, especially on early-dismissal days. Staff said they take drop-ins if parents call by 1 p.m., but that on at least one weekday each week (often Wednesday) they sometimes must turn families away.
The report also highlighted senior programming and community events. Tim Berry reported strong senior engagement—examples cited included a senior balance class with more than 2,000 participant sessions last year and 761 attendees across weekly bingo events—while Sydney Bliss described large, low-cost community events such as the summer concert series and seasonal one-offs.
Scholarship program details: Berry summarized a scholarship revamp approved by the commission in January 2024 and the council in April 2024. The department received 75 applications this year and awarded more than $67,000, with nearly $50,000 directed to childcare and Camp Corte Madera. “We start out at $50,000 a year,” Berry said, noting the town’s practice of requesting additional funds at the midyear budget review when demand increases. He also said the full fiscal-year scholarship budget is about $80,000.
Eligibility and limits follow county guidance. Staff said the program uses Marin County Department of Housing and Community Development income tables to determine household eligibility; youth scholarships are capped at $400 per person and $1,000 per family, while adults may receive up to $200 per scholarship.
Commissioners pressed staff on outreach and whether the adult scholarship bucket is being used; one commissioner noted adult uptake had been low (about 5% of awards). Berry said staff will continue outreach through school and district contacts and bilingual staff to connect eligible families.
What’s next: Staff said scholarship allocations are made twice a year (May for summer and August for the school year), and they plan to show a more detailed budget breakout next year to display allocations by program (for example, summer camp, soccer and childcare). Berry said staff will return to council for midyear requests if needed.
The commission did not take formal action on this presentation; it moved on to other business after Q&A and public comment (no emailed or in-person public comments were received on the item).
