Town of Marcellus Parks and Recreation Summer Playground Program

The exceptional connection between school and community has always been a hallmark of the Marcellus Central School District and the greater Marcellus educational community. That is no more evident than in the Town of Marcellus, Parks and Recreation Summer Playground Program. The playground experience is not only housed on the Marcellus Schools campus but the program is primarily staffed by Marcellus Senior High School students/graduates and Marcellus Central School District staff. Program directors Diane Mueller, Pat Smarzo, and Terry Hoey, have developed a daily playground program that provides the opportunity for supervised on-campus activities in the morning and field trip experiences in the afternoon. Children attending the daily playground program have had the opportunity to play outside games, participate in arts and crafts activities, and play in the gymnasium. Field trip experiences have included Green Lakes, Jordan Pool, The Ultimate Goal, Reva Roller Dome, Thunder Island, Skaneateles Lake, Champions for Life, Roseland Park, and Skaneateles Pool. More importantly, the playground program provides the high school student staff with a very meaningful work experience while at the same time providing participating children with positive young adult role models. This summer’s playground program was conducted from July 6th through July 30th.
Summer Playground Program staff included:
Student Staff:
Megan Blackmer
Kelly Welch
Peter Bowhall
Emily Walsh
Kelsey Cavaretta
Emily LoBello
Dan Poorman
Emily Hunt
Teresa Finn
Brittney Pinkowski
Samantha Vulcano
Erin Kaminska
Jenna Sniffen
Brendan Carey
Sara Kelly
Rachel Darling
Scott Cotter
Mike Sniffen
Dennis Scanlon
Katie McKenney
Adam Bergevin
Ryan Carey
Katie LaRose
Dan Scanlon
Tim Schneider
Zach DeSantis
Frank Witkowski
Kelly Hagan
Kim Duck

Adult Staff:
Sandy Carey
Michele Stepien
Tom Shea
Lynda Schmidt
Marie Harris
Linda Pavlas

Directors:
Diane Mueller
Pat Smarzo
Terry Hoey

In addition to the playground program Phil Coccia, Town of Marcellus Parks and Recreation Director, and his staff have put together an outstanding summer recreation program that provides a little bit of everything for everybody. Once again the connection between school and community is very impressive with many Marcellus Schools’ staff serving as summer recreation program instructors. Among this summer’s recreation program offerings (instructed by Marcellus Schools staff or alumni) were:
Soccer Camp – Instructors: Tom Shea and Sandy Carey
Girls Masters Basketball Camp – Director: Mike Vincent
Boys Hoop Mania Masters Camp – Director: Jim Marsh
Baseball Camp – Instructor: Bill Manchiocchi
Golf Camp – Instructor: Joe Goss
Mini Football Camp – Instructors: Joe Fiacchi and Rick Belvito
Pre-Season Soccer Camp for Boys – Instructor: Mark Sunheimer, Scott White, George Mango
Wrestling Camp – Instructor: Todd Donovan
Marcellus Gymnastics – Instructors: Marion Smith and Sarah Cox
Summer Music Lessons – Instructor: Maureen Alvaro
Summer Youth Theater – Instructors: Mary Ellen Dance and Eddie Powers
Art Camp – Instructor: Shannon Femano
Elementary Art Camp – Instructor: Kelly Hagan
Community Band – Director: Michael Cirmo