Summer recreation program in Medina up to nearly 60 participants

Last year there were only 12 participants; Program was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Park counselor Corey Saj and 11-year-old Todd Fairbanks rest on a climbing ladder at the playground at Oak Orchard Elementary School.

MEDINA – The Medina Joint Recreation Park and Swim program is underway with a large enrollment of students ages 5 to 12.

Heading the summer event this year is Michelle Capstick, a special education teacher at Oak Orchard Elementary School.

Capstick said she received an e-mail in May from the Joint Recreation Park and Swim committee saying they were looking for a director, and if one couldn’t be found, the program would be canceled.

“I called and they hired me,” Capstick said.

The Medina Joint Recreation Park and Swim committee consists of Village Clerk Jada Burgess, village trustees Jess Marciano and Marguerite Sherman; Mary Woodruff and Jeff Toussaint, representing town of Ridgeway; and John Pratt and Ed Zelazny, representing town of Shelby.

The summer program has been going since Capstick was a kid, she said, originally taking place in the village’s individual neighborhood parks.

The program was canceled during the summer of 2020, then resumed last year with a registration of only 12 participants.

This year, however, 58 children are registered. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays from July 5 through Aug. 12.

It not only includes the opportunity to sign up for swimming at Wise Intermediate School, activities at the playground and crafts adjacent to Oak Orchard School, but field trips within walking distance throughout the village.

They have already been to Mark’s Pizzeria, the fire hall and library and are planning a trip to Case-Nic Cookies and possibly the Medina Railroad Museum.

When the weather is inclement, the program moves into Oak Orchard School.

Capstick writes a weekly report on the program, and the first report describes the children playing tennis on the schools’ tennis courts, playing baseball and a game of Uno. They also walked to Pine Street Park and cooled off in the splash pad.

Assisting with the daily program are supervisor Hayden Woodroe and counselors Corey Saj, Danielle Schmidt and Sophia Goyette.

Students enjoying crafts at the Medina Joint Recreation Park and Swim program are, clockwise from left, Harlow Rhim, Vivian Neroni, counselor Sophia Goyette and Olivia Ellis. Partially hidden at left is Lyric Chinn.