Hutch Rec Happenings

A Little Bit o' Love

2012-02-06T20:31:00.000-06:00

Happy Heart Month!

We LOVE our customers. Sappy, sure. But the customers are why we're here! We joke with other recreation professionals across the state that we work hard so that others can play. Truth is, though, a lot of us can admit that it sure doesn't feel like work when you LOVE your job, the people you work with, and the people you serve!

So Hutch Rec customers...THANKS for being so LOVEly.

That said, we have some LOVEly things going on right now. Our Run for the Rocks half-marathon (that we partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hutchinson) has a Sweetheart Special going on right now. For only $45, you can register for our 2nd annual half-marathon in Hutchinson! Simply go to www.runfortherocks.com to register.

Our popular Salty Dog & Salty Pup Triathlons will kick off its 11th year when registration opens in less than a month. This year we're offering our wonderful competitors a LOVEly treat - chip timing! This will allow our competitors almost instantaneous results (not to mention it eases the headaches of our former timing guru, who happened to create - yes create! - his own version of a timing system using an Excel spreadsheet!). Registration opens up on March 1st at www.hutchrec.com.

The LOVEly ladies and cooks at the Elmdale 50-Plus Center will be hosting its annual Pancake Feed this coming Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8-11 a.m. Rayma and Charlotte are excellent cooks and make some tasty pancakes! Stop by and for just $4 you can eat all-you-can-eat flap jacks plus sausage, juice, and coffee. What a tasty way to spend a Saturday morning!

There are lots of other LOVEly activities and events going on in the coming weeks at Hutch Rec. Check out our complete schedule of activities and descriptions in our Winter Activity Guide, available at www.hutchrec.com.

Celebrate this season of LOVE at Hutch Rec, where we believe that Life is Great...Recreate!

- Amy

Two Days Left for our $40 Special!

2012-01-09T10:53:00.001-06:00

Yep, you read that right. We're offering a New Year's special. Register NOW for the 2012 Run for the Rocks for only $40! You only have until Jan. 10th to register for this amazing price. (well, more like 1 day and 14 hours left...but who's counting?). Tell your friends and fam of this great deal and get registered today. More details (and the registration info) are available at www.runfortherocks.com. Happy Running!

2012-01-03T13:07:00.000-06:00

Wow - it's been a while! Sorry for the lack of blogging. Maternity leave will do that to a marketing director! :)First off...Happy New Year! Our Hutch Rec family hopes you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year holiday and are refreshed and raring to go these first few days of 2012.So often people think winter is the "down time" for us recreation folks. That's SO not true! While we're swamped in the summer (we LOVE our summers and the people it brings to our doors!), we also gear up for the winter with several activities and events. They're not just indoors, either!Take, for instance, our programs out at Dillon Nature Center. Jim, Mary, Steve and company continue holding great educational programs for area students, along with Scout classes, preschool classes, and even family classes. Our sports department is busy with basketball - we have a record 500+ kiddos in our youth basketball program! - but they also are busy with volleyball leagues and are gearing up for Snowball Softball tournaments (they're offering a Men's Tournament on Feb. 11 and a Co-Ed tournament in early March). Tina has a great line-up of winter activities at Keller Leisure Arts Center. Winter is a great time to settle into a new hobby or re-learn an old skill. We've got fused glass, jewelry, woodcarving, stained glass, painting, and more. Plus, our preschool programs resume starting the week of Jan. 11.And let's not forget about the "most wonderful time" for our Wellness Center! Elmdale is buzzing these days with people wanting to amp up their fitness routine and make 2012 the year for health (or to maintain their health). We encourage you to check out Hutch's most economical fitness facility at 400 E. Ave. E. There are no joiner's fees or contracts and one-month memberships start as low as $16/month! Most people don't realize that we feature everything that other gyms have to offer - a cardio room complete with treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes; a weight room; ongoing fitness classes; racquetball courts; and locker room services. For our 50-Plusers, there are continuous activities (most of which are FREE!) going on each week at the Elmdale 50-Plus Center. Homemade lunches are served every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon and are just $3.50 for a delicious meal. Check out a complete list of activities in the Center's monthly newsletter, available online or at Elmdale. And how can we forget Special Populations basketball? It gears up at the end of this month! It's always a treat to see our athletes in action. So don't let winter time prohibit you from getting out and about. At Hutch Rec, we believe that Life is Great...Recreate - and that's all year long!Here's to a wonderful 2012 - one filled with physical, emotional, and social health!- Amy

Hutch's First-Ever Half Marathon!

2011-09-13T10:38:00.001-05:00

In just 12 short days, Hutch Rec will be a part of history in the making! Hutch Rec is teaming up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hutchinson to host Hutch's first-ever half marathon - the Salt City Run for the Rocks on Sept. 25. Proceeds from our event benefit youth scholarships at Hutch Rec and the services the Boys and Girls Clubs provide. Think about the thousands of youth we benefit each year! We'd like to thank our generous sponsors, planning committtee, volunteers, staffs from both organizations, and our participants! Without your support, we wouldn't be able to pull off an event of this magnitude. To date we have about 250 runners/walkers with hopes of having 350 compete! If you're interested in competing or volunteering, feel free to check out www.runfortherocks.com. There you'll find ALL of the information you need - plus more! You can always reach me at aconkling@hutchrec.com if you have questions, too. I'd love to take on more volunteers!

Decade of the Dog

2011-08-19T08:56:00.000-05:00

Well, it came...we conquered...and it went.

Last weekend the Hutch Rec crew put on our biggest special event of the year, the Salty Dog and Salty Pup Triathlons. And once again, it was a GREAT event! Each year we spend several hours going over the million little details it takes to put on a quality event. And each year (after the sleep deprivation and tired feet wear off), we look back and are thrilled that we could help so many people in the Hutchinson community and beyond with their goals to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

A HUGE thanks goes out to our staff, volunteers, and sponsors who donate time, products, and money to our event. And a HUGE thanks goes out to our competitors who came out to conquer the Dog and the Pup. Because of these people, we're able to raise funds for youth scholarships to Hutchinson Recreation Commission.

Hard to believe a decade has passed since we started our small-scale triathlon. Here's to another 10 years!

Here's to Opal!

2011-07-25T07:06:00.000-05:00

Here is a pic of our beloved Opal Wilson, our favorite 98-year-old volunteer at the Elmdale 50-Plus Center. At 98 years young, she's going a mile a minute and volunteers during the lunchtime hours at Elmdale - and then some!

Earlier this year Opal was named the 2011 KRPA Distinguished Volunteer at our state conference in Topeka. She's stepping up her volunteer efforts (as if she's not busy already!) and has agreed to be the 2011 United Way of Reno County campaign chair. We are so proud of Opal and wish her the best as she meets with several hundred individuals, businesses, and professionals this fall as part of the United Way campaign.

Way to go, Opal! Check out Saturday's Hutchinson News for a GREAT feature story on a lady that's near and dear to Hutch Rec's hearts!

When it's THIS hot outside...

2011-06-08T11:38:00.000-05:00

...think Salt City Splash Aquatic Center!

Is anyone else amazed at this crazy heat we've experienced the first week of June? We can only wonder what this means for the rest of the summer ahead!

In the meantime, cool off at Hutch Rec's Salt City Splash Aquatic Center. The Splash is open daily from 12:30-6:30 p.m. and has a GREAT, quality staff of trained lifeguards. They log in several hours of training both in the off-season and during the season to make sure you and your families are safe.

Admission rates are friendly to the wallets, too! Daily admission rates include: Children 2 and under - FREE; Children 3-7 yrs old - $1.75; Children 8-17 yrs old - $3.50; and Adults - $4.75. That's SIX hours of entertainment each day...much more affordable than a movie ticket (which, by the way, only offers you about 2-3 hours of entertainment - tops). If you want to save even more money, now is the time to purchase a season pass! We've crunched the numbers and have found that if you're a frequent flyer to the Splash, you'll get more than a bang for your buck. After 12 visits, season passes are paid for...meaning, you purchase one now and you can pretty much swim in July and August for FREE!

More details are available at the Splash's Website: www.saltcitysplash.com. Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! You can always call the Splash at (620) 662-7705 or stop by in person...we're located in beautiful Carey Park!

Stay cool out there, everyone!
Amy

Almost Summer - Bring It On!

2011-05-17T14:41:00.000-05:00

Wow! Long time, no type! My apologies for not updating you sooner. We've been BUSY around Hutch Rec....getting ready for summer and wrapping up our spring schedule. We love, love, love this time of year. Temps warm up, people are out and about, we get to see more youth in our buildings (by youth, I mean kiddos!), and the Splash opens! We're beyond blessed to be able to offer such wonderful services, activities, and quality of life FUN for your family!

Here's what has been going in our world lately:
- Run for the Rocks: We're teaming up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hutchinson to host Hutch's first-ever half-marathon! If you're a runner, mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 25. Details are on our Website - www.runfortherocks.com. This great fund-raiser has all proceeds going to Hutch Rec and the B & G Club. Each year we reach thousands of youth in the Hutchinson area and provide activities for them to get involved in. We'd love to see you run - or volunteer or cheer! Contact me at aconkling@hutchrec.com if you're interested.
- Firecracker 5K Run/Walk: Another great special event going on this summer is our annual Firecracker 5K Run/Walk on July 2nd. This non-competitive event is open to all families (think: strollers!) and we encourage walkers and runners of all ages. Register at any Hutch Rec facility, by phone, or online. Cost is just $15 for 12 and older (includes t-shirt to first 75 participants) and FREE for youth 11 and younger. More info is on our Website at www.hutchrec.com.
- Salt City Splash: I mentioned it above, but the Splash opens to the public on Memorial Day Monday - May 30th. We're open daily from 12:30-6:30 p.m. Purchase your season passes NOW at great early bird rates! We have calculated (yes, we do numbers!) and you can pay for your pass at about your 12th visit. If you go to the pool 3 times a week, the month of June is taken care of - and you have all of July and half of August to swim at no cost! Visit www.saltcitysplash.com to see all of the specials and goings-on at the pool this summer.
- Playscape: DNC staff and volunteers are working HARD on the natural playscape at Dillon Nature Center. If you haven't been by there recently, go for it! I took my toddler there yesterday and I can already tell you I'm going to have to peel her away from this awesome place once it's finished. More info on the playscape is available at www.dillonnaturecenter.com.
- Enrollments: NOW is the time to enroll your child in summer activities! Spots are filling fast for youth leisure arts classes, swim lessons, Adventure Camp and nature classes, golf, and a myriad of other activities. Check out our Summer Activity Guide at www.hutchrec.com for a complete schedule. Don't wait until school is out - sign up today!

Until next time...thanks for your continued support of Hutch Rec. We enjoy serving you and look forward to a wonderful SUMMER!

Amy

Summer Activity Guide

2011-04-26T13:56:00.000-05:00

It's our favorite time of the year! Our Summer Activity Guide went to the press for the final time last week...now it's in the printing stages and will be arriving to Hutchinson mailboxes by next week.

It's quite a process putting a guide together. Ever thought about all the work that goes into it? Let's just say superintendents are planning what they'll be doing in July and August way back in January when we get back from holiday break. Most of them have their activities set in stone by the time our Spring Activity Guide goes out, as parents are planners and like to start setting the summer schedules around Spring Break time.

Take your time and check out the many opportunities we have in our Summer Activity Guide. Chances are better than none that you'll find something you - or your kids, husband, or anyone else in your household - will want to do!

If you can't wait for snail mail, the Summer Activity Guide will be available online later this week. Check www.hutchrec.com!

Updates from RSR!

2011-04-18T13:03:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone!
Sorry for the absence of blogging. Between Summer Activity Guide production work and a BUSY start to spring, we've been....well, we've been BUSY!

We've received some great enthusiasm for our Ready Set Run (or, how we run with it - RSR) youth running program. The HEAL Cooperative of Reno County recently awarded us a grant to cover the cost of most entry fees for the 60 youth we have registered. Of those participants, 10 are Boys and Girls Club members whose entry fees were also paid for thanks to the HEAL Cooperative!

We have some coaches on board - running enthusiasts Lisa Bonds, Kris Westhoff, and others, just to name a few. And the kids are LOVING it! So far we've had great response in the first two sessions. We're excited to keep on running well into April, May, and June. They'll finish their RSR experience with Hutch Rec's Firecracker 5K on July 2.

Special thanks to everyone who have been supportive of our youth runners. If you see them out and about Carey Park on a Tuesday or Thursday, give them a shout-out - they deserve it!

National Alliance for Youth Sports

2011-03-10T14:05:00.000-06:00

National Alliance for Youth Sports

Flyers, Flyers, Flyers!

2011-03-08T16:41:00.000-06:00

Here are a few things our staff has been up to in recent weeks - sorry for the lack of blogging....it's already been one hectic start of a new month!

- Counting school flyers - we had a total of FIVE flyers promoting our summer activities. Talk about busy!
- Getting ready for our Spring Activity Guide to arrive (now out in super-springy green and blue colors!)
- Counting more school flyers.
- Working ahead on summer activities (always, always, always planning ahead! Most of our summer items were planned in January/February.)
- Counting yet more school flyers.
- Celebrating birthdays (THREE staff birthdays in a matter of a week in February, one of which was a very special 60th - but we won't tell who!)
- And yep - you guessed it....counting school flyers.

We truly appreciate our office gals who organize the counting and delivering of the school flyers - and our faithful volunteers who agree to the task.

6,000 flyers * 5 = ONE LARGE AMOUNT of flyers! (or 30,000 if you want to get exact)

A Decade Later....

2011-02-28T06:57:00.000-06:00

Doesn't our good ole Salty Dog look pretty good for being 10 years old? We decided to give him and his little Salty Pup companion a fresh look this year, seeing that it's our special Decade of the Dog Triathlon.

Now it's onto planning out the rest of the party. We have the triathlon down to a fine art - but what would you like to see as far as a post-race party go? Band and brunch? Shout out your ideas to me on this blog or at aconkling@hutchrec.com!

And the Awards Go To....

2011-02-06T20:39:00.000-06:00

Our staff racked up the hardware at our annual Kansas Recreation and Parks Association Conference last week in Wichita. Congrats to the Hutch Rec staff for winning these awards:

* Opal Wilson - Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. At 98 years young, Opal volunteers her time at the 50-Plus Center. You can see her in action each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the lunch hour plus at various special events throughout the week. Opal has volunteered there for more than 25 years.

* Amy Conkling - Distinguished New Professional of the Year. Amy is the marketing and special events director at Hutch Rec and started in March 2007. While her background is print journalism and leadership studies, she's a Hutch Rec girl at heart as she participated in several activities and sports over the years, plus she worked as a lifeguard and manager of the Salt City Splash Aquatic Center in her high school/college days.

* Dillon Nature Center - Parks and Natural Resources Special Event award. DNC won the award for initiating Get Everyone Outdoors Month (GEO Month) in April 2010.

* Hutch Rec - Medium-Sized Community BlueCHIP Award and $2,500 grant. Hutch Rec received this award for the Salty Dog & Salty Pup Triathlons. Grant money will go toward the 10th annual triathlon, as well as fitness events leading up to the Salty Dog.

We're thinking Salty Dog!

2011-01-18T19:57:00.000-06:00

Now you can check out the newsletters that we send our customers from time to time. Check out this one for our Salty Dog Triathlon, taking place Aug. 13, 2011!

Check out my @constantcontact newsletter

What's Our Impact?

2011-01-11T13:13:00.000-06:00

Check out this interesting study the fine folks at KRPA - Kansas Recreation and Parks Association - sent us this week. Then give us your feedback!

2010 Economic Impact Report

Parks and Recreation in Kansas

Commissioned by the Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A summary of findings from a 2010 economic impact report by

Jayhawk Consulting, University of Kansas School of Business

· Recreation and parks provide substantial economic benefits to all citizens in Kansas.

· Over 73% of the population used recreation and park services at least once per week.

· Funds spent in Kansas recreation and parks programs, activities and employees return $1.70 for every $1 invested, according to a well accepted economic analysis model used by Jayhawk Consulting. This means that funds spent on Kansas recreation and parks produce a positive economic value and maybe better investments than other alternatives which produce lower returns as evaluated using the same model.

· Studies of real estate values in Kansas communities selected for their geographic distribution demonstrate that values are consistently higher when located close to Kansas parks.

· Parks and recreation offers healthy lifestyle benefits to its users at a significantly reduced cost and, as a result, offers citizens of all ages opportunities for exercise.

· It can be inferred that the healthy lifestyle benefits created in communities by parks and recreation has a substantial impact in reducing the overall cost of health care for citizens and state agencies.

Other Findings

· A survey of recreation and users shows the three most important benefits were exercise, general health upkeep and fun.

· Over 60% of recreation and park users factored in lower cost when considering public recreation and parks as a choice.

· Almost 30% of current users said they would do nothing if recreation and parks did not exist. Potential ramifications for those non users can be measured in the negative impact on health due to the loss of physical activity and the increase in healthcare spending by individuals and government.

· Recreation and park services are saving users significant amounts of money when compared to similar private facility usage costs and serve as a key benefit in a recession economy.

· Kansas residents value the availability of recreation and parks.

Where Kansas citizens rank the importance of city services:

- Education

- Hospitals

- Fire Protection

- Street Maintenance

- Parks and Recreation

Services ranked as less important than Recreation and Parks:

- Corrections (police)

- Housing/Community Development

- Libraries

- Transportation

- Waste Removal

- Community Celebrations

Primary Reasons for Recreation and Parks Use

- Parks and Trails (25%)

- Pools/Aquatics (18%)

- Youth Sports (16%)

- Classes and Events (14%)

- Adult Sports (12%)

- Golf Courses (8%)

- Nature Centers (7%)

Reasons for Recreation and Parks Use

- Exercise

- General Health

- Fun

- Stress Relief

- Reduced Cost

- Free Time

- Social/Networking

- Learning New Skills

- Community Involvement

A Winning Combo

2010-12-28T10:03:00.000-06:00

We're only a few days away from 2011. And we all know that most of us put down to exercise more or lose a few pounds as part of our New Year goals. There's something missing, though.

Nutrition!

Yes, that's right. Whether you're losing weight or want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise is only ONE part of the healthy life equation. Nutrition seems to often times get left behind. Maybe it's because of our diet-crazed, calorie-counting society. Or maybe it's because after we sweat it out on a treadmill we feel we "deserve" a high-calorie treat filled with saturated fats.

It doesn't matter our reasons. What does matter is making sure we not only offer our customers fitness opportunities - through Elmdale Wellness Center and athletics - but also include healthy nutrition in the mix, too.

That's one goal at Elmdale Wellness Center this New Year. We've taken our popular Weight Loss Boot Camp and turned it up a notch by including some nutritional services led by local registered dietician Kayla King. Not only will our Boot Camp participants get a great workout from our personal trainer, Tony, but they'll also get some lifestyle nutrition tips from Kayla. It's a win-win! Boot Camp starts Jan. 10 and meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for eight weeks. This class requires registration - so sign up by calling 663-6170 or stop by EWC at 400 E. Ave. E this week!

Another class we're offering is Smart Choices for Health - Eating for Wellness, again taught by Kayla King. Participants will learn the basics of healthy eating to lose weight or maintain weight, as well as create personalized weekly plans and even take a trip to the supermarket! For more information on Kayla's services, go to www.kingnutritionservices.com. This class is also registration-only. Sign up by calling EWC at 663-6170 or stopping by the Wellness Center. Classes meet on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. from Jan. 3-March 7.

And NEW this year...Elmdale Wellness Center will be open from 1-4 p.m. on New Year's Day! Get your New Year started off right with a sweat session at EWC. Our new line-up of winter fitness classes starts the week of Jan. 3. As always, EWC does not require joiner's fees or monthly contracts. We're Hutch's most economical fitness facility!

Happy New Year - here's to a happy, healthy YOU!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T15:44:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from our Hutchinson Recreation Commission family. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

A complete listing of our holiday hours can be found at www.hutchrec.com by clicking on the News/Cancellations tab. We look forward to serving you in 2011!

You're Invited....

2010-11-29T09:11:00.000-06:00

This Saturday, Hutch Rec will be sponsoring its annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Boutique from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Our superintendent of leisure arts, Tina Frees, has once again been hard at work to put on this holiday event. This year, we're going bigger - as in more space - as we move to Memorial Hall. Special thanks to Jim Seitnater and the Downtown Hutchinson for their sponsorship!

You're probably wondering what is going to be offered at our Christmas Boutique. Our answer? A little bit of everything! Think of an online Etsy store, only it's in person and you don't have worry about shipping costs! Our Boutique will feature fused glass items, jewelry, purses and wallets, paintings, canvas artwork, jellies and jams, candles and scents, and much, much more! We're proud of our area artsits and what they're bringing to our boutique-like environment. PLUS...we'll have warm-you-up tasty treats and food for sale while you shop!

Don't forget those Christmas lists!

It's Beginning to Look (and Smell!) a Lot Like...

2010-11-22T13:56:00.000-06:00

...Christmas and the upcoming holidays!

If you didn't read the Hutchinson News today, you should! Check out the article about the gingerbread decorating going on at Hutch Rec this holiday season. (Link can be found HERE).

Hutch Rec is once again sponsoring the free gingerbread house decorating sessions that will take place on Dec. 4, 11, and 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our next-door building, Keller Leisure Arts Center-West, 15 E. 1st. It takes a lot of man-power in prepping the houses for the hundreds of families who come to decorate houses. Last year our crew of hard-working gals did about 500 houses - plus a few extras last-minute. This year it's looking like 550-600 houses. That's a lot of graham crackers! We appreciate Downtown Hutchinson for including us in the holiday celebration - and for the wonderful workers and donors who hand over bags of candy, cereal, and other goodies for decorations.

Feel free to stop by the Downtown Office at 17 E. 1st this week, as you'll find our decorating group (aka: Tina and Randy) working hard. They're turning our everyday office into a winter wonderland, that's for sure!

Let's not forget about Thanksgiving, either. We hope everyone has a wonderful, THANKful holiday this Thursday! Check out our site at www.hutchrec.com for a complete listing of holiday hours.

Bring on Winter...the Activity Guide, that is!

2010-11-01T13:14:00.000-05:00

Most of us at Hutch Rec not only live our lives in the present, but in the far, far future. Our far-out future living typically occurs four times a year, in the form of our seasonal Activity Guides.

I get the pleasure (?) of reminding staff to start working on their items for the next season's guide weeks before I even start working on it. That's how I roll - always planning, always thinking ahead, always filling out my to-do lists and calendars well before the events even take place. Our printing company sure appreciates it. :)

So, today's the day. It's time to start plugging away at the Winter Activity Guide. Our superintendents will be giving me their new activities and events - and it honestly is one of my favorite parts of my job. I get the "insider's" look at at the great activities they have planned for you in December, January, February, and March!

Hutch residents, look for our upcoming guide in your mailboxes post-Thanksgiving - about the first week of December. We know the holidays are coming up and with that comes an abundance of mail. That's why we'd like to beat the holiday rush and showcase our Winter Activity Guide before you get bogged down with the mail. That, and the post office seems to appreciate it, too.

In the meantime, we have a lot of events still going on throughout the month of November in all of our departments. You can always click on a seasonal Activity Guide at www.hutchrec.com. Simply go to the View Activity tab and click View PDF version.

Happy reading!
Amy

Hard at work at playscape

2010-10-26T06:29:00.000-05:00

If you haven't heard, Dillon Nature Center staff has been hard at work this fall on the up and coming natural playscape that will be unveiled in Spring 2011. Check out their progress in today's Hutch News article (link below):

Hard at work at playscape

Want to help or donate? Contact Jim Smith at DNC - jsmith@hutchrec.com or by phone at 663-7411.

Okay, so it's been a while!

2010-10-21T14:04:00.000-05:00

My apologies for not writing earlier! We've been busy....super busy around here. But still, we should have kept you - our customers and those who are interested in our fantastic Hutch Rec family - apprised of what's going on around here.

What do YOU want to see from this blog? How would YOU like to be a part of it? Let me know by leaving a comment below or simply e-mailing me at aconkling@hutchrec.com. We'd love to interact and see what YOU want!

Have a wonderful fall weekend - enjoy the beauty!

Celebrate Parks and Recreation in Hutchinson!

2010-07-19T14:39:00.001-05:00

Happy National Parks and Recreation Month!

What do YOU do to recreate in Hutchinson and Reno County?! What would you like to see Hutch Rec offer in the future as far as recreational opportunities go?! We want to hear from YOU!!

We have some great things going in our wonderful town and county as far as recreational opportunities go - and several of these opportunities are offered through Hutchinson Recreation Commission.

Residents can soak in beautiful nature scenes and more at Dillon Nature Center. They can cool off on a hot summer day (much like today!) at Salt City Splash Aquatic Center. They can get in touch with their artistic sides and create pretty much anything at Keller Leisure Arts Center. They can compete in a variety of sports through the Athletics Department. They can socialize with others their age over lunch and bingo at the Elmdale 50-Plus Center. They can travel and experience life through Special Populations. Or, they strive to live as healthy and fit as possible at Elmdale Wellness Center.

Hundreds of studies have been done to prove that people who take advantage of parks and recreational opportunities live healthier lives. It's no wonder, really!

Let us know your thoughts and feelings on Hutchinson's parks and recreation opportunities. We want to serve YOU!

In Harmony with Nature - June 11, 2010

2010-06-14T15:25:00.000-05:00

Here are some scenes and sounds from Dillon Nature Center's In Harmony with Nature event this past Friday. Enjoy!

Feelin' the Hutch News Love!

2010-06-09T13:54:00.001-05:00

We are VERY fortunate to have a local newspaper who supports Hutch Rec and the many activities and events we organize for our community. The Hutchinson News has had some great coverage of all things Hutch Rec recently. Here's a few things they've been covering: (note that you can read these articles and view photos at their Web site, www.hutchnews.com)

1. Salt City Splash's first week of the 2010 summer season (Saturday, June 5)
2. Youth Fishing Derby at Dillon Nature Center (Sunday, June 6)
3. Hershey Track and Field Meet (Monday, June 7)

And the articles and pics keep coming! Thanks, Hutch News, for your CONTINUOUS support of Hutch Rec! We enjoy the reporters and photographers who come out to cover our events...thank you for thinking of us!

Sticks for Kids Program

2010-05-19T13:28:00.000-05:00

Each summer Hutch Rec offers youth golf lessons for both girls and boys at Carey Park Golf Course. Our lessons are available for youth ages 7-17 years old, with sessions running in both June and July.

This year, thanks to a grant from the Golf Course Builders Association, Hutch Rec has 10 new sets of youth golf clubs available for youth golf players to use for free. A set of the clubs that will be used are on display at our Downtown Office, 17 E. 1st (and a pic will be posted soon on here!). This is just one of the many reasons we're here for the youth in our community. Even those who aren't able to afford golf clubs may register for our lessons without the worries of buying the necessary equipment. The clubs will be available at the Carey Park Golf Course Club House on a first come, first serve basis.

Openings remain in youth golf (and tennis!) lessons this summer. Many of the first sessions of these sports start in early June! Sign up now at Hutch Rec's Downtown Office at 17 E. 1st or by phone at 663-6179. We also offer scholarships for those who need financial assistance. Stop by our Downtown Office for more information.

Spread the word about this great Sticks for Kids grant program....it's a great way to make sure that children who are interested in golf may participate, regardless of whether or not they have their own set of clubs! For more info, call Marc Trent at 663-6179.

Pool Season is Upon Us!

2010-05-17T15:04:00.001-05:00

It's time to start thinking about swim suits, sun screen, and plenty of splashes at Salt City Splash Aquatic Center! We like to refer to our favorite Hutch pool as the Splash around here. The Splash opens to the public on Memorial Day - Monday, May 31st at 12:30 p.m. It's open daily through Aug. 22 from 12:30-6:30 p.m.

Prices are very reasonable to the Splash. Yes, we have people think it's too high while others think it's a heck of a deal. We always tell people to really think about the bang for your buck you get at the Splash. For just $4.75 (daily adult admission fee), you get up to SIX hours of entertainment for the day. Movies around here cost $7-$8 a show and that's just for two or three hours!

For those of you watching your dollars (and who of us isn't these days?!), we recommend purchasing a season pass to the Splash. Season passes are on sale at early bird rates right now through May 28. Early bird rates include: Children 3-7 years old - $22.50; Youth 8-17 years old - $45; and Adults 18 and older - $54. That's an ENTIRE SUMMER of swimming for less than $60 if you're an adult! Ted Nelson, superintendent of aquatics, says you'll get your money's worth after about 12 swims. After that, it's like you're swimming for FREE!! Purchase your season passes now at any Hutch Rec facility.

PLUS...season pass holders are invited to a special Preview Party on May 30 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. They'll get to swim at the Splash an entire day before it opens to the public! Season passes will be sold that day, too, so if you'd like to join us at the party, please stop by and purchase your pass!

As always, let us know if you have any questions, comments or recommendations. We'd love to hear from you! Questions can be sent to aconkling@hutchrec.com. I'll try and answer them as soon as possible - or get you in touch with someone who knows!

Have a great Monday and remember that pool season is just around the corner. Our lifeguards, managers, and other staff are working hard to get the pool ready for our wonderful customers come Memorial Day! Question is - are YOU ready to don that bathing suit?! (Workout tips will be available on a later post...we do have a great fitness facility at Elmdale Wellness Center! :)

Take care,
Amy

Scholarships and Special Events

2010-05-11T15:24:00.001-05:00

Hey, everyone! Amy here from Hutch Rec...

One of our largest special events of the year, the Salty Dog Triathlon, attracts more than 400 youth and adult competitors, volunteers, and spectators to Carey Park each August.

But, as we take registrations, very few of our competitors actually KNOW what their entry fee is going to! Proceeds from our Salty Dog Triathlon go toward youth scholarships at Hutch Rec. We are fortunate to provide scholarships to our youth participants who want to participate in our programs and activities, but may be hindered due to finances. Children who qualify for scholarships (up to 50 percent off the activity fee) must provide proof in the form of a medical card or free/reduced lunch forms. Recent data shows that close to 65 percent of Hutch USD 308 children are on free/reduced lunches. Add neighboring school districts, and we provide a lot of scholarships to a lot of kids!

We appreciate all of our Salty Dog sponsors who help us cover the costs of putting on an event of this magnitude so we can dedicate as much funds as possible to the youth scholarship fund. Thank you, sponsors, and thank you, competitors and volunteers, for your help in making sure Hutchinson-area youth get to participate in Hutch Rec activities throughout the year!

And all of you YP'ers out there...I'll be talking about the Salty Dog and competitor/volunteer opportunities at the YP Luncheon. It's noon at Marcella's. Hope to see you there - and answer any questions you may have!

Enjoy this wonderful sunshine!
Amy

Welcome!

2010-05-10T09:29:00.000-05:00

Good morning and welcome to Hutch Rec Happenings! Check this blog frequently for updates and behind-the-scene snapshots at what's going on in each of our Hutchinson Recreation Commission facilities, including: Hutch Rec's Downtown Office, Elmdale Community Center, Dillon Nature Center, and Salt City Splash Aquatic Center.

We'd love to see you post comments and answer any questions you may have - so ask away!

Happy Monday!