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Recreation coordinator outlines spring programs, seeks volunteers and summer staff
Summary
At its April 15 meeting, the Juneau Recreation Committee reviewed spring programming — including a Books & Badges event that served 17 children — discussed gym safety and repainting, and pursued volunteers and part-time summer hires, with one member volunteering to lead adult volleyball.
The Juneau Recreation Committee on April 15 heard several program updates from the Recreation & Program Coordinator, including an Open Gym held during spring break and a Books & Badges event that served 17 children with support from DCSO, JPD and EMS. The coordinator also reported ongoing T-Ball registration, updated website contact information, and follow-up outreach on a grant with Modern Woodman.
Why it matters: The committee’s program work shapes summer and youth recreation options in Juneau and depends on volunteers, sponsors and seasonal staff. Several items discussed — field maintenance, facility safety and staffing — affect how and whether programs will run this summer.
Committee members discussed field and facility issues, including a report that KMSL-Rage Soccer has repainted field lines and that staff are evaluating the purchase of a line-painting robot to reduce labor. The Department of Public Works voted to keep the gym bleachers in place, the coordinator said, but raised a safety question about railings that will require follow-up. Staff also proposed repainting the gym in two shades of gray as a maintenance item.
On programming and volunteers, the coordinator outlined planned events including T-Ball, Summer Crafts, seasonal sports and a Reading Club. Plans in development include an 18-and-older volleyball league and a Kindness Rock Garden; Kara Estrad volunteered to lead the volleyball league, and staff reported a volunteer for softball is undergoing a background check.
Staff also listed broader community-event ideas — a movie night with the library, Touch a Truck, National Night Out, a bike ride for ice cream and a Concerts in the Park series tied to the Chamber of Commerce — and noted a discussion about obtaining a bingo license was tabled for now.
On staffing, the committee discussed hiring part-time summer help through City Hall and considered rewording the job listing to label the position as an "internship" in the future.
Next steps: Staff will follow up on the bleacher railing safety question with DPW, continue outreach on sponsorship and grant contacts, and proceed with recruiting and onboarding for summer positions and volunteer-led programs.
