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A Day At The Park In Wimauma

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2007

WIMAUMA - After exercising their minds all day in school, many Wimauma Elementary students happily work out their bodies every day at a nearby park.

The majority of the 125 kids registered this fall for the after-school camp at the Bethune Recreation Center, 5809 Edina St., come from the school, which is a little more than a mile away.

'Our job is to keep them safe and to keep them busy,' said Jose Martinez, recreation specialist at Bethune. 'I'm very lucky to have had a staff for a long time dedicated toward that goal.'

Martinez first arrived at Bethune in 1989 and, except for a three-year stint at the Ruskin Recreation Center in the mid-1990s, has been there since.

The after-school camp takes place weekdays between 2 and 6 p.m. Martinez said children use the time to do their homework, participate in seasonal sports - they are learning football and cheerleading during the fall - and wind down in the center's game and computer rooms.

Bethune shares space with the Redlands Christian Migrant Association's Success Center, which is housed in several portables adjacent to the recreation center. Led by Adela Gomez, center coordinator, the Success Center has provided extra homework assistance and tutoring for students ages 6 to 11 for 11 years.
Many tutors at the recreation center are members of the Hope Fund for Bethune Park. Founded by Sun City Center resident Carla Miles, the fund assists children at Bethune through donations and volunteer work.

In addition to the after-school programs, Bethune has helped a group of its students stay in shape by organizing a run/walk marathon.

'We have the students run or walk a marathon, which is 26 miles, throughout the year,' Martinez said. 'They usually do one mile at a time over a few months.'

Adults also get in on the action at Bethune because the park's soccer and softball fields are used by recreation leagues in the evening. After 6 p.m., they are also allowed access to the center's computer room Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the game and weight rooms on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

'It's just been a good place for anybody in the area to come and have good, safe, clean fun for a long time,' Martinez said.

BETHUNE RECREATION CENTER

WHERE: 5809 Edina St.

PROGRAMS: after-school camp, weight room, game room, football, cheerleading, run/walk marathon, Redlands Christian Migrant Association's Success Center

COURTS/FIELDS: soccer, football, softball, basketball

INFORMATION: (813) 671-7618

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

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