Parks and Rec working on getting people moving again

Published 7:01 am Saturday, June 13, 2020

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Slowly but surely, Austin youth are emerging from their COVID-19 induced hibernation and getting out and moving.

Austin Park and Recreation is also catching up with offering physical activities in the era of social distancing. Youth programs for golf, archery and tennis are set to begin on Monday and a track and field program is slated to begin in early July.

All activities will be taught in pods of nine to 10 kids per coach and social distancing will be advised for participants.

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“We want to get kids involved in some structured activities and have them move their bodies,” said Kevin Nelson, director of Austin Park and Recreation. “We want to keep people involved and on the move.”

Recreation supervisor Riley Donovan said the first batch of youth activities are a good start and Park and Recreation is hoping to get adult softball, youth softball and t-ball going later in the summer if that is allowed.

With the pool closed for the summer, it will be important for kids to find other activities to fill up their summer and Park and Recreation is happy to fill that void with activities.

“So far, so good,” Donovan said. “We could have 25 in a group outside, but to keep the kids apart, we’re going to keep it at nine for now. As far as other sports, we’re going to wait and see what we can do.”