Programs for Youth & Families
STEWARDSHIP IS FOREVER
The work of the Friends of Bella Vista Park has entered a new stewardship phase: creating and lobbying for more recreational programming to serve youth and the diverse community. This is a goal echoed by members of the neighborhood watch and crime prevention council in the Bella Vista neighborhood. Members of these groups recognize that in addition to direct development benefits for neighborhood youth, there is also a potential neighborhood-wide benefit if young people can be given access to healthy activities.
Plans are afoot to recruit a tai chi teacher to lead a morning exercise class for Asian elders who already regularly use the park for group walks around the track; to hold an after school ecology club to provide service learning opportunities for students to help teach environmental awareness to the community. And a Friday Bike Club building off the success of our Bike, Skate, Rock N Roll Day in 2013.
We raised funding for an after school art club to help lead art tile and mural projects at the park: Check out the new Bats and the Bees Mural! Look for our new A-Z flower tile walkway in the butterfly garden!
Summer in the park there is a Park Intern Program, organized by Trybe, building on the success of Summer 2011-14 Programs. Trybe places several teen and young adult interns at Bella Vista Park to provide organized activities for children, youth, and families in the Park! Check the calendar for details.
The work of the Friends of Bella Vista Park has entered a new stewardship phase: creating and lobbying for more recreational programming to serve youth and the diverse community. This is a goal echoed by members of the neighborhood watch and crime prevention council in the Bella Vista neighborhood. Members of these groups recognize that in addition to direct development benefits for neighborhood youth, there is also a potential neighborhood-wide benefit if young people can be given access to healthy activities.
Plans are afoot to recruit a tai chi teacher to lead a morning exercise class for Asian elders who already regularly use the park for group walks around the track; to hold an after school ecology club to provide service learning opportunities for students to help teach environmental awareness to the community. And a Friday Bike Club building off the success of our Bike, Skate, Rock N Roll Day in 2013.
We raised funding for an after school art club to help lead art tile and mural projects at the park: Check out the new Bats and the Bees Mural! Look for our new A-Z flower tile walkway in the butterfly garden!
Summer in the park there is a Park Intern Program, organized by Trybe, building on the success of Summer 2011-14 Programs. Trybe places several teen and young adult interns at Bella Vista Park to provide organized activities for children, youth, and families in the Park! Check the calendar for details.
Community Events
FoBVP members, together with the youth-serving group TRYBE and the 17Y NCPC are hosting family friendly events in the park. We have hosted: an annual Halloween Party (over 600 attended in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), National Night Out BBQ (300 attending since 2009); Easter Family Event (since 2010); Earth Day Spruce Ups and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events; Summer Splash Days (June 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013); Outdoor Movie Nights (monthly on Friday nights in the Summer); Health Fairs, and Peace Walk 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016.
These events depend on community support. Join us!
These events depend on community support. Join us!
