LAGUNA HILLS : Events Inaugurate Recreation Program

Taking a step toward providing residents with an expanded variety of services, the city is beginning a recreation program it has lacked since incorporating two years ago.

At its Tuesday meeting, the City Council approved the first offerings of the program, which will include activities for children and adults during the holiday season.

Since becoming a city in 1991, formation of a recreation program has been a priority of the city, said Parks and Recreation Director Dave Lewis.

“We are ready to enter into the municipal recreation field in a fairly substantial way,” Lewis said. “We’ve got a whole slew of things scheduled for December and into January.”

The events, which range from cookie baking and gingerbread house making to a breakfast with Santa and a holiday hay ride, have been organized by the newly hired recreation supervisor, Kimberlyn Mahoney, who joined the city staff three weeks ago.

Mahoney formerly worked as Irvine’s city services program coordinator for seven years. “There are a lot of families in this city,” she said. “We’re trying to stick with a number of family activities that people will be interested in.”

The upcoming programs will be advertised with flyers and posters around town.

One of the challenges facing the fledgling program, however, is the city’s lack of a recreation center or city-owned facility that would serve as regular gathering place for activities.

“It’s a challenge starting a department from the ground level, where there’s really nothing, no facilities or anything,” Mahoney said. “But I can be creative. I’m looking forward to it.”

For more information on the programs and events, call (714) 707-2680.