Bloomington Parks and Recreation open registration for summer programs

Photo provided by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.  – The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is soon opening up summer registration for kids and adults. Parks and Recreation Marketing Manager Thom Rakestraw spoke about what programs are offered and how these programs impact the community.

“The Bloomington Parks and Recreation offers a variety of different programs,” Rakestraw said. “We have everything from swimming lessons at O’Neil Aquatic Center and Holiday Pool, to community concerts at Withers Park in Downtown Bloomington. We also have art classes, cooking classes to teach life skills, as well as trips for those 55 years and over.”  

According to Bloomington Parks and Recreation, “Our mission is to enrich the quality of life for our community through parks, recreation and cultural arts.”  The most popular program that is offered are swim lessons because they only happen during the summer time. Rakestraw recommends everybody to sign up early because spots fill up quickly. He also explained how things look on the faculty side.

“We have a great team of instructors and lifeguards and are always looking to hire more,” Rakestraw said. 

Bloomington residents can begin registration today. Non-residents can register on April 17. According to Rakestraw, there are many learning opportunities for the summer participants.

“Participants learn life skills and socialization,” he said. “On the other side of COVID, there were missed opportunities of socialization for kids. So, this gives them a great opportunity to come together with their peers and learn new skills and crafts.”