No excuses for ‘I’m bored’
Molly Shore
Whether you like to swim the backstroke or swing from monkey bars,
read a good book or grind the rail, the city has a summer activity to
choose from regardless of age or ability.
George Boghozian is grateful for Burbank’s summer parks program,
which began this week at Lundigan, Miller and Pacific parks and the
McKinley Elementary School playground.
During the week, Boghozian drops off his 9-year-old daughter,
Sione, at Miller Park, where she participates in arts and crafts and
board games, plays on the playground equipment and enjoys a free
lunch, all while being supervised by park staff.
“It’s very good for the children that they are active and don’t
stay home and watch TV,” he said.
Carol Mercado oversees the free summer parks program, which is for
youths between 6 and 18. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
weekdays.
“It’s a good place for kids who are not in day camp,” she said.
In addition to the parks program, the pools at McCambridge
Recreation Center and Verdugo Park are open for recreational
swimming, and the Burbank Skate Park at Valley Park has introduced
summer hours.
Juliet Nazari and her son, 8-year-old Armi Babakhanloo, splashed
in the pool at McCambridge on Wednesday afternoon, when the
temperature reached 92 degrees.
“Today was our first time this year, and it’s wonderful,” Nazari
said, adding that she and her son plan to swim at the pool twice a
week.
Seniors looking for something to keep them busy can participate in
a host of activities at the Joslyn Adult Center that include playing
bridge and making jewelry and T-shirts. The center offers seniors and
friends and family members age 55 or older dance and exercise classes
and a variety of workshops in air-conditioned comfort.
SUMMER ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
* The city’s summer parks program 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at
Lundigan Park, 2701 Thornton Ave.; Miller Park, 720 E. Providencia
Ave; Pacific Park, 3715 W. Pacific Ave. and the McKinley Elementary
School playground, 349 W. Valencia Ave. Call 238-5440 for more
information.
* The McCambridge and Verdugo Pools are open for recreational
swimming from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. Admission for residents with I.D. is $1 for
those 12 and younger, $1.50 for those 13 to 18, $4 for adults and $2
for those 60 and older. McCambridge Recreation Center is at 1515 N.
Glenoaks Blvd. and Verdugo Park is at 3201 W. Verdugo Ave.
* The Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., offers a variety of
activities for seniors. Call 238-5353 for more information.
* Burbank Skate Park at Valley Park, 1625 N. Valley St., is open
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and
Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The park is closed
Monday. Fees for residents are $3 per day or $8 for a weekly pass.
Call 238-5390 for more information.
* Stough Canyon Nature Center and Wildwood Canyon Park offers
nature day camps that begin Monday and include hikes, nature
activities and crafts. Fees are $30 for the first three sessions and
$45 for remaining sessions. Call 238-5440 for more information.
* Creative Arts Center offers the Arts Experiences Program for
aspiring artists ages 6 to 13, beginning July 7. Classes are from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. The fee is $57 per week. Call 238-5397 for
more information.
* Burbank Boys & Girls Club offers field trips for members between
the ages of 7 and 17 to the Burbank Nature Center, California Science
Center and the Japanese American History Museum. Members can
participate in Junior Achievement classes, a book club or an on-site
basketball league. Call 842-9333 for more information.
* The Burbank Public Library offers a summer reading program for
children in kindergarten through the eighth grade at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday at the Northwest Branch Library, 3323 W. Victory Blvd.; 3 and
7 p.m. Wednesday at the Central Library, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd.; and 3
and 7 p.m. Thursday at the Buena Vista Branch Library, 300 N. Buena
Vista St. For more information, call the Central Library at 238-5600
for more information.
* The Burbank Family YMCA runs day camps for children in
kindergarten through eighth grade from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays.
Also available are weeklong specialty camps, including soccer or
basketball camps. Prices range from $145 to $170. Call 845-8551 for
more information.
* Transportation to many of these activities is available on Got
Wheels!, the youth transportation program for Burbank students 10 to
18. Call 238-5410 for more information.