TUSTIN : Funds Voted for Playground Camps

The City Council voted unanimously this week to spend $6,500 on summer youth programs.

The money will go toward the operation of two playground camps where “at-risk” children, will be able to participate in supervised activities and take several field trips during an eight-week period.

The program is designed for children who come from low-income households and are without adult supervision during the day.

“I think this is a very good beginning,” Councilman Charles Puckett said. “Certainly this is something that is needed in that area.”

The camps will operate on the playgrounds of A. G. Currie Middle School and Heideman Elementary School for about six hours every weekday. Additionally, the city’s Recreation Department will sponsor a basketball camp during the summer months.

“Summer is rapidly approaching . . . and we have specific needs,” said Gary Magill, recreation supervisor. He said the programs will provide children, who may normally be without supervision during the summer, with a place to go in a safe environment.

City officials are not taking all of the credit for devising the summer programs. In April, families in the southwest section of the city were surveyed and much of their input went toward devising the programs, said Melissa O’Neal, also a recreation supervisor.

Residents ranked a need for more parks in southwest Tustin as one of their highest priorities, followed by a need for organized children’s activities and after-school programs. Those surveyed said also that health care facilities and child care programs are high on their list of needs.