For Immediate Release: 6/13/2011 10:42 am
Worcester, MA (June 13, 2011) - Worcester City Manager Michael V. O’Brien and Friendly House announced today that the 2011 Wheels to Water Summer Recreation Program is currently accepting registrations.
The Wheels to Water Program officially kicks-off on Tuesday, July 5th. Interested City youth between the ages of 7 and 17 can register for the program at any one of ten participating neighborhood-based organizations (complete list below) or can download an application through the City’s website. Brochures and applications are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese and Portuguese.
Now in its third year, the free summer program offers transportation Monday through Friday to the following swimming facilities: Boys & Girls Club, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, YMCA - Central Branch, Girls, Inc., Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the College of the Holy Cross. Friendly House will coordinate transportation to these facilities. Swimming lessons will be offered at the Boys and Girls Club, YWCA of Central Massachusetts, YMCA - Central Branch and the City beaches. Participants must register for swimming lessons. New this year, Crompton Park Pool and Greenwood Spray Park will open seven days a week beginning July 1, in addition to the City’s beaches, State beaches and State pools.
This year will once again feature recreational programs facilitated by the Boys & Girls Club and Girls, Inc. at the following locations: Beaver Brook Park, Elm Park Community School and Great Brook Valley. Programming will include arts and crafts, sports clinics, summer reading, lunch and more. The Worcester Public Schools will provide similar educational and recreational opportunities at the following schools: Elm Park Community School, Canterbury Street Community School, Quinsigamond Elementary School and Norback Street School.
Last year, approximately 1,500 young people between the ages of 7 and 17 registered for the Wheels to Water Program. Over the six week period, there were more 7,800 visits to participating pools and City beaches.
“All of the pieces are in place to ensure that our City’s youth have access to safe, meaningful educational and recreational activities this summer," said City Manager O’Brien. "I wish to thank all who have contributed to the funding and planning of the 2011 program."
For more information on swimming programs, call Friendly House at (508) 755-4362 or for more information on recreational programs, call Yesenia Moysanet, Boys & Girls Club at (508) 753-3377.
This program is generously supported by UMass Memorial Health Care, The George I. Alden Trust, The Fletcher Foundation, The Stoddard Charitable Trust, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, The College of the Holy Cross and the City of Worcester.
REGISTRATION SITES:
East Side CDC
409 Shrewsbury Street - (508) 799-6942
Centros Las Americas
11 Sycamore Street - (508) 798-1900
Friendly House
36 Wall Street - (508) 755-4362
Henry Lee Willis Center
Great Brook Valley, 176 Tacoma Street - (508) 852-8905
Plumley Village
16 Laurel Street - (508) 799-6981
Main South CDC
875 Main Street - (508) 752-6181
Saint Peter’s Church
929 Main Street - (508) 752-4674
Southeast Asian Coalition
120 Chandler Street - (508) 791-4373
South Worcester Neighborhood Center
47 Camp Street - (508) 757-8344
Worcester Common Ground
5 Piedmont Street - (508) 754-0908
