Parks and Rec

As things have cooled down outdoors, the City of Malta’s Department of Parks and Recreation has started plenty of indoor activities to keep the community active.

The Parks and Rec Youth Basketball League started on Monday, November 4, and will conclude on Tuesday, December 10.

The first through sixth grade youth basketball league consists of 12 teams. The league consists of kids from Phillips County as well as a few kids from Turner and Harlem.

“It’s a wonderful turnout,” Malta Parks and Recreation Director Sally Wright said. “We love to see the kids learn and grow with youth basketball. Every week they get better.”

The first grade and second grade teams play on Mondays starting at 5 p.m. in 45 minute increments, while the third-sixth grade teams play on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in hour long increments.

This year, the league is under a new schedule in hopes that many of the games don’t conflict with other schedules.

“We changed it from the weekend to the weekdays because there is so much going on while basketball is going on this year,” Wright said. “We saw that a lot of people like to be out of town with their families on the weekend.”

Though the league promoted that referees would get paid depending on experience, the league has had many volunteer their time. The same goes for coaches, who were offered a discount on their kid’s fees.

Parks and Rec also partnered with the Phillips County Hospital Therapy Department for Walking With Ease an event put on Certified Walk with Ease Leader Kayla Howard.

“This class is for anyone who wants to increase physical activity or gain from the benefits of walking,” Howard said. “It is more directed for the individuals with arthritis but it is not exclusive. Walking can help to strengthen the heart and lungs, nourish joints, build bones, fight osteoporosis, burn calories, control weight, reduce stress, improve mood and boost energy.”

The event, also sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. until Tuesday, December 17. There will be one class on Thursday, November 28, in observation of the Thanksgiving holiday.

On Tuesday, December 3, Parks and Rec will start a three week long Line Dancing course led by Dance Instructor Sheena Dorak. The second class will be on Monday, December 9, and the final class will be on Monday, December 16. Each class will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. Dance classes will be $10 per class or $25 for all three classes.

On Tuesday, November 12, Parks and Recreation started Boot Camp, a fitness class taught by Signa Mikesell on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Thursday, December 19 at 10:20 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

Mikesell also leads one hour personal training sessions for $15 per session or $80 for six sessions. While Boot Camp does not require a Weight Room membership, personal training does require a monthly Weight Room Membership.

Ongoing events also includes Tiny Tots, which run from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The recreational event will be closed from Thursday, November 28. Other closures include, Tuesday, December 24, Thursday, December 26, Tuesday, December 31, Thursday, February 20 and 27, and Thursday, April 9.

According to their flyer, Malta Parks and Rec Tiny Tots Recreation “provides an opportunity for children to participate in a variety of activities, and to expand social and developmental horizons in a supervised and secure environment. The goal of the program is the total well-being of each child. Children will get to enjoy free play, games, snacks, and social interaction while being physically active.”

Tiny Tots is available for children aged two to five-years-old.

Malta Parks and Rec is also selling Fundraiser Coupon books for $25. The book gives the purchaser coupons for various Phillips County businesses. Only 200 coupon books are available. For more info visit Wright or Jessica Zeiger at Malta’s City Hall.