Opportunities and Connections for All

As a member of the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association and an employee of the Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department I am very interested in parks and their utilization.  One Monday evening, my wife and I decided to take our dog for a walk through Oakwood Park.  It was amazing to see how many people were utilizing the park, especially when a lot of people I talk to don't even know the park exists.  The Menomonee Falls Angels were playing on one of the softball diamonds, Community Ed. & Recreation Department Tennis Lessons were taking place on several of the tennis courts, a group of children were kicking a soccer ball around one of the soccer fields, the toddler playground was full of little ones running around, a girls basketball practice appeared to be taking place while a group of adults formed their own pick up basketball game.  It was great to see!

Menomonee Falls is unique compared to a lot of other communities.  Our Community Education & Recreation Department and Parks Department are two completely separate agencies.  While the Community Education & Recreation Department is a department under the School District of Menomonee Falls, the Parks Department is under the Village of Menomonee Falls.  Community Education & Recreation administers the programs (Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis Lessons, Flag Football) while the Parks Department maintains parks, trails, fields, diamonds and courts.

Though I am an employee of the School District and not the Village, I wanted to take this opportunity to advocate for the parks in Menomonee Falls.  Many individuals don't realize that our community is made up of many great active and passive parks.  Most are familiar with Village Park because of events such as Falls Fest, The Big PIg Gig, Concerts in the Park, and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, but there are so many more parks with a variety of different amenities and features.  Along with Village Park, there are 16 other parks, plazas and parkways.

Additional parks include Kiwanis, Lime Kiln, Mill Pond, Municipal, Oakwood, Taylor, Willowood, Rivers Edge, Riverside and Rotary.  Along with the parks listed above there is also Menomonee River Parkway, Mill Pond Plaza, Old Falls Village and three undeveloped parks (Tamarack Swamp, Tower Hill Park, Maple Road Park).

For additional information regarding park hours, amenities in the various parks, park locations and park rules please visit http://www.menomonee-falls.org/index.asp?NID=136.

The Menomonee Falls Teen Center is holding a Nintendo Wii Bowling tournament Friday, August 1.  The tournament, open to all students entering grades six through nine, begins at 6:45 PM.  Pre register at the Teen Center any Friday evening between 6:30 and 10:00 PM beginning Friday, July 18.

Prizes
First Place             2 Club Level Brewer Tickets
Second Place         $10 Odyssey Gift Certificate
Third Place             $10 Odyssey Gift Certificate
Fourth Place          Free Game of Bowling at Village Bowl
Fifth Place             Free Game of Bowling at Village Bowl
Sixth Place            Free Game of Bowling at Village Bowl
Seventh Place        Free Game of Bowling at Village Bowl
Eighth Place          Free Game of Bowling at Village Bowl
Ninth Place            Free Scoop of Frozen Custard at Pop's Frozen Custard

Rules

• No bowling or Nintendo Wii experience necessary.
• Tournament is open to the first 40 bowlers.
• Pre registration is recommended.
• A wait list will be started.  If space becomes available, bowlers will be taken from the wait list.
• Each bowler will bowl one game.
• Bowlers with the top 9 scores will win prizes.
• In the case of a tie for first place, a one game bowl off will take place.
• Bowlers must be present at the end of the tournament to claim prizes.
  
  The Teen Center is located in the Menomonee Falls Community Center at W152 N8645 Margaret Road.  For more information please call 262-255-8460.  $2 Residents, $3 Non-residents

The following appeared on the National Recreation and Park website:

Public parks and recreation are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for millions of residents in communities around the world through recreation programming, leisure activities and conservation efforts.  Parks, recreation activities and leisure experiences provide opportunities for young people to live, grow and develop into contributing members of society; create lifelines and continuous life experiences for older members of the community; generate opportunities for people to come together and experience a sense of community; and, pay dividends to communities by attracting business and jobs and increasing housing values.

As we observe Recreation and Parks Month, we recognize the vital contributions of employees and volunteers in parks and recreation facilities.  These dedicated supporters keep public parks clean and safe for visitors, organize youth activities, provide education programming on health, nutrition, first aid and gardening, advocate for more open space and better trails, and fundraise for local improvements.  They ensure that parks and recreation facilities are safe and accessible places for all citizens to enjoy.

Celebrate Recreation and Parks Month at the North Jr. High Pool July 14 - 18.

Free Pool Admission
At any open swim when you show your participation certificate from the Chalk it Up Contest held at North Jr. High on July 2.

Wacky Water Day - Wednesday, July 16, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Join the staff for crazy games, exciting relays, and fabulous prizes.  Contests will take place periodically throughout Open Swim.  Regular admission or current swim pass.

Surfin' Safari - Friday, July 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Rock on with a D.J. providing a mix of music from classic Beach Boys to today's Top 40.  Regular admission or current swim pass.

"31 Things to Do for Parks and Recreation Month"

For a complete listing of all the activities offered through the Menomonee Falls Community Education & Recreation Department visit fallsrec.org.