Hickenlooper Opens Pools & Rec. Centers Free of Charge To Denver Kids All Summer
by Newly West

Mayor John Hickenlooper and Denver Parks and Recreation Acting Manager Scott Robson today announced that Denver youth age 17 and younger may use City recreation centers, including swimming pools, for free this summer. 

Free admission runs through Sat., Aug. 16. Standard fees will continue to apply for programs and activities that typically are offered at an additional charge.

“Our goal is to give our kids every opportunity to participate in healthy, positive activities throughout the summer,” Hickenlooper said. “We’re happy to be able to offer this to our community.”

“This is a great decision by the administration to ensure that children and youth in Denver are active and safe throughout the summer,” added City Council President Michael Hancock.

Opening the recreation centers to all Denver youth for the summer complements the MyPlace program launched in January 2008.  That program gave 30,000 Denver Public Schools students the opportunity for a free one-year membership to their neighborhood recreation centers.

“This summer, we wanted to make it possible for every youth in Denver to enjoy their neighborhood recreation center for the summer at no charge,” Robson said.  “We have some great programs and events planned for the summer, and this will allow all of our kids to participate fully.”

Area recreation centers offer a variety of summer activities, including open swim, basketball, game rooms and a Food Bank of the Rockies program that offers free food for families. Programs available for a nominal fee include Hoopin’ with Hickenlooper, baseball, t-ball, volleyball and swim lessons.

Denver residents may locate their nearest recreation center by visiting www.denvergov.org/parks_recreation, click on “Recreation.” Rec centers are also listed in the DEX white pages phone directory, in the blue-tabbed “Government” listings.