Park Place Youth Center offers summer programs
The Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia is ready to launch a summer-long series for kids age 5-12.
The Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia is ready to launch a summer-long series of activities for kids age 5-12. Under the guidance of Jordyn Starkey, center director, the club will offer a range of activities including sand art, rock painting, a scavenger hunt, making a bird feeder, a corn hole tournament and more in the first two weeks of the summer season.
The Youth Center is near the main parking lot beside the boardwalk and gazebo. Starting the weekend of the Memorial Day holiday, center hours will be Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center is currently closed on Sundays and Mondays. The center’s calendar of events can be found on www.Tuscorapark.com under Park Place Youth Center.
Starkey said the Youth Center is a great starting point for families coming to Tuscora Park, whether it’s to take part in an event or activity or pick up an official Tuscora Park T-shirt or other logo item.
The Park Place Youth Center is operated by RTY Inc., the nonprofit organization that also operates the amusement rides, concessions and Summer Showcase Concerts at the Tuscora Park Amphitheater.
“We came out of the COVID pandemic last year after completely remodeling the facility and tried out some activities to see what kids would like,” Starkey said. “From that first year, the Youth Center has come up with a long list of programs for kids and families.”
Most activities are free, but a few have a small fee to cover material expenses or paid to an outside organization sponsoring the program.
Another new program for children is Max’s Kids’ Club, named in honor of the late Max Miller of New Philadelphia, who donated the money to build the facility 22 years ago and endowed it with operating funds.
The cost to join Max’s Kids’ Club is $25, which includes a T-shirt and enables the child to take part in most center activities without additional charge. Members’ families also receive a weekly update from the Youth Center. Children can be enrolled by visiting the Youth Center during regular hours or online at the Tuscora Park website. All children are welcome to take part in Youth Center programs and events, whether they are a Max’s Kids’ Club member or not.
The Youth Center is inviting kids to participate in the summer Putt Putt Golf League, a seven-week event starting June 7 that uses the park’s 18-hole miniature golf course every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Golfers will play in a group of 5- to 9-year-olds or a group of age 10 and older. There is a $20 registration fee, which includes playing fees, a specialty golf ball and prizes. Children can sign up at the Youth Center or by calling 330-343-6814.
Another new service offered by the Park Place Youth Center is equipment rental. For a fee of $5, visitors to the park may rent fishing poles, tennis rackets, basketballs or corn hole boards to use during their visit and return to the center when finished. Equipment is available on a first-come basis.
In addition to the website, visit the Park Place Youth Center on Facebook or call 330-364-6814 during the center’s operation hours.