Community Notes: Busy summer ahead for Charles City Parks and Recreation

By Tyler Mitchell, Director, Charles City Department of Parks and Recreation

Here is an update on some of the many projects that the Charles City Department of Parks and Recreation is involved in.

Wildwood Golf Course

Last year was a great year for Wildwood Golf Course. Our average rounds played were up substantially from previous years, despite the unusually dry and hot conditions we faced.

At one point in August, we even had to enforce a no golf cart rule for several weeks to prevent irreversible damage to the unirrigated turf. Thanks to that, and some timely rains, everything bounced back nicely by year’s end. Hopefully this season will be more mild and less dry.

Last year Wildwood offered a best shot league on Monday nights, stroke play league on Tuesday nights, and had several couples events on Friday evenings throughout the year.

This summer Wildwood and the YMCA will be hosting a golf clinic for ages 7-12. There will be two sessions, one in June and the other in July. Each session will be six days and will be held over the span of 2 weeks. Sign up sheets will be available at the YMCA in May.

Check out our Facebook page for updates on tournaments, couple nights and anything else that may be happening at Wildwood this year.

Summer Projects

A lot of projects were completed last year. Ball lights were fixed at Sportmen’s Park and Lions Field, damaged section of the pool floor was repaired, there was some bike trail restoration, as well as many smaller projects.

This spring Mick Gage Plumbing and Heating gave a generous donation and helped get new yard hydrants to the ballfields at Sportmen’s and Lions Field Parks.

The Park and Recreation Department is planning on doing a number of projects this year. We plan to resurface part of the bike trail, reroof dugouts and shelter, build a new playground at Sportsman’s Park, and multiple small projects.

More projects will be coming throughout the year.

Swimming Pool

We are excited to be opening the swimming pool again this year. The goal is to have the swimming pool open Memorial Day weekend, but weather and other circumstances could push the opening day back.

Swimming lessons will be taking place again this year. You will be able to find registration forms by going onto the city’s website and looking under the Park and Recreation Department. Forms will be posted mid to late April. You will be able to turn registrations into City Hall beginning May 15th.

The Park and Recreation Department will also be offering a Water Zumba Class this year. Check the city website in late April to see the schedule. Water Walking is also offered Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 12:10 p.m.

The Park and Recreation Board is working with JEO Consulting on the pool restoration. The pool floor joints and gutters will be fixed, the surge tank leak will be sealed, recirculation system replaced, new sand filters installed, and more will be completed with this restoration.

As of now we are not planning on closing the pool early for the renovations. Check the city Facebook page and website for up-to-date information.

For more information:

• Charles City Facebook: Charlescity50616.

• Wildwood Facebook: Wildwood Municipal Golf Course.

• City of Charles City Website: www.cityofcharlescity.org; go to the Departments tab and click on Park and Recreation Department.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please let us know at City Hall. My email is: tyler@cityofcharlescity.org or you can give me a call at: 641-257-6312. Have a great day!