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Encouraging Children To Have Fun, Play

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

BALM - Although Balm is primarily known as a rural area, the community does have a place for its residents to come out and play.

The Balm Recreation Center, 14747 Balm-Wimauma Road, offers a variety of activities for school-age children. The park also hopes to expand its reach to include adults.

'We've been working on having adult leagues come out and use the park,' said Melba Bush, recreation specialist at the facility. 'Our outdoor field doesn't have lights, which prevents them from using it at night.'

In the meantime, the recreation center's focus is its after-school program.

Bush said 147 youngsters between the ages of 6 to 15 are registered for the program this fall, which is free.

Activities include seasonal sports, such as football and cheerleading beginning this month, as well as soccer, court hockey and basketball later this year.

The center also periodically participates in events involving other area parks in its cluster, with a different facility serving as host each time. The other parks in the cluster are Bethune Recreation Center in Wimauma, Ruskin Recreation Center, Apollo Beach Recreation Center, Riverview Recreation Center and Gardenville Recreation Center in Gibsonton.

In addition to sports, the park offers a Girls Club for ages 9 to 15. Recreation leader Darlene Colleton is in charge of the Girls Club, which includes self-esteem building and cooking classes. The program also hosts visits from women professionals.

'It's important for these young girls to see someone they can look up to and who represents what they can become,' said Colleton, who has been at the center four years.

Bush also hopes to get a ceramics class instituted in the near future.

. 'I think the kids would really enjoy it,' Bush said.

Although Bush has only been at the facility for three months - replacing Teddy Jacobs, who moved on to be the senior recreation specialist at Riverview's Providence West Recreation Center - she has worked for the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department for 26 years, including 11 years at Bethune Recreation Center in Wimauma.

'Everyone here has been extremely supportive,' Bush said. 'The kids are always encouraged to have fun, and I've been very lucky with my staff. They are always on point, and they know what to do.'

BALM RECREATION CENTER

WHERE: 14747 Balm-Wimauma Road

PROGRAMS: After-school camp, arts and crafts, game room, Girls Club, cheerleading, court hockey, football, soccer

COURTS/FIELDS: Basketball, football, soccer, playground

INFORMATION: (813) 671-7671

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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