IN Murrysville Spring 2014 | Page 52

RECREATION DEPARTMENT Robert D. Hunter, Jr. - Director T urr ysville MU N I CI PAL IT Y O F M U RRYSVI L L E NE WS he Recreation Department was pleased to offer 233 recreational opportunities and 12 special events to the residents of Murrysville in 2013. Programs ranged from health and fitness, educational programs for youth and teens, to summer camps, Red Cross swim lessons and summer/ winter playground programs. Special events ranged from an Egg Hunt, Senior Halloween Party and Mystery Dinner Theatre to a Holiday Social with the Murrysville/Export Rotary, PA Hero Walk, Night of Lights, and the 6th annual Chili Oktoberfest, to name a few. The Murrysville Recreation Department prides itself on offering a variety of programs for residents of all ages and interests. If the Department is missing something of interest, please stop by or call the Recreation Department at 724-3272100 at Ext. 115 or 131. Volunteer Program The Murrysville Recreation Department would like to thank all of the 2013 volunteers and volunteer groups who helped make 2013 such a great success. Without the support of volunteers, we would not be able to offer so many safe and successful programs/ events throughout the year. The Recreation Department is always looking for volunteers to help and assist with programs and events, so please feel free to call if there is a particular event or program for which you wish to volunteer. Also, there are several volunteer groups in the parks system that help maintain our exquisite parks throughout the Municipality. If you are interested in volunteering some of your time to help keep the parks beautiful in 2014, please contact the Recreation Department at 724-327-2100, Ext. 115. In 2013, there were 1,856 park volunteer hours reported and 4,665 program and event volunteer hours reported. We would like to thank you again for all of your help. 2013 Community Day If you haven’t been out to Community Day in the last few years, you are really missing out. In 2009, Community Day was moved to 50 Murrysville Murrysville Community Park to showcase the beauty of the park and all of the available activities. Since 2009, the park has seen the development of the “Paws on the Run” Bark Park, Veterans’ and Emergency Services’ Monument, Rotary Miracle Complex and the Bill Mazeroski Miracle Field, renovation of the Sears House, installation of water and sewage, the salvaging of the Cline Barn, bocce and shuffleboard courts, installation of an observation blind at the wetlands, walking trails, a horse trail and the planting of over 100 native trees. Expanding Community Day with the development of the park has turned out to be a huge success. The participation numbers for this event have continued to increase each year since holding the event at the park. If you were not able to make it to Community Day in 2013, here are a few things that you missed: Barnyard petting zoo, pony rides, hot air balloon rides, kids water zone, rock climbing wall, trail walks, Miracle League of Western Pennsylvania baseball games, opening day for the Franklin Area Midget Football Association, car cruise, helicopter golf ball drop, outdoor activities with SLAM, hayrides, carriage rides, live entertainment, 60 booth vendors, “Touch a Truck”, Meet your Murrysville Police, Fire and Medic One teams, open field activities, farmers market, Community Corner and, of course, great food. Also in attendance was our own Miss Murrysville, Chelsea Kontra. Thank you to all of the sponsors who allow us to provide this wonderful day to Murrysville’s residents. 2013 Night of Lights Although the weather for the 2013 Night of Lights was not very cooperative, the event still had a positive turnout. With the rain turning to ice and then