Monroe, Michigan
The City of Monroe Recreation Department addresses community recreation and leisure needs through a variety of activities and events for residents of all ages. Current programs for youth and adults include: tee ball, softball, baseball, volleyball, basketball, swimming, tennis, supervised summer playground program, concerts in the park, community gardens, and community wide special events in cooperation with other community groups and leisure service providers. The department also offers discount priced tickets to family amusement parks in Michigan and the Midwest.
The professional staff coordinates leagues, programs, and special events with the support of approximately 130-seasonal employees i.e. program directors, scorekeepers, game officials, playground leaders, lifeguards, and activity instructors. The department utilizes over 300 seasonal volunteers annually i.e. youth sports coaches, adult sports coaches, team managers, and special events/activity coordinators.
Most spring/summer programs/leagues are held outdoors in city or school district parks and playgrounds. The scheduling of recreation programs in parks is handled through the Recreation Department. Permits for use of park facilities by community groups for festivals/special events are coordinated through the Recreation Department. Requests for special permits in parks are circulated among all City departments whose operation may need to be involved in or informed of the special use proposed.
Park facilities consist of athletic fields, picnic shelters, permanent and temporary restrooms, a community band shell, roller sport courts, boat launch facilities, walking/bike path, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, bocci ball courts, drinking fountains, equipment storage areas, food concession, outdoor natural ice pond, sledding hill, playground equipment, a community built playscape, riverside fishing areas, green belts, sand volleyball courts, wooded areas, a mountain bike trail, a pond with a spray fountain, basketball courts, a public outdoor swimming pool, and parking areas. Two skateparks and a concession and storage facility for outdoor soccer came online in 2004.
Indoor program facilities are coordinated by the Recreation Department in cooperation with local schools. Most indoor programs are conducted in the fall and winter months.
The City, through the Monroe Building Authority, built the Monroe Multi Sports Complex, which opened in February 1998. Designed to be a multi use facility, one side is meant to be a permanent ice rink while the other side can be used as an additional ice or for indoor sports or convention type activities. In addition to main floor activities there are meeting rooms available for rent on the second floor. The building is equipped with locker room facilities, skating pro shop, and concession area, and video arcade.
The City of Monroe is proud of its participation in a three-year program called Hearts 'N' Parks. Monroe is one of 50 cities in 10 states selected by the National Recreation and Park Association to serve as a Magnet Center Community for the Hearts 'N' Parks program. The program is aimed at reducing the growing trend of overweight and obese people in the United States by encouraging Americans of all ages to aim for a healthy weight, follow a heart healthy eating plan, and engage in regular physical activity by taking part in local recreation programs and events.
Recreation staff assisted the City Department of Development Services with information needed for a Munson Park Grant, which the City received approval for through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Monroe Rotary Club agreed to work with the Recreation and Planning departments as a partner in raising funds to develop an inline skate/skateboard park as part of the project.
The recreation department Summer Concert in the Park Series continues to be very successful, hosting 11 concerts with an overall estimated attendance of over 5000.
The Recreation Advisory Commission continued work on researching options for the development and financing of additional recreation facilities.
The development of a Friends of Monroe Recreation Group is underway for the purpose of focusing public attention on the benefits of parks and recreation to our community. The new group seeks to stimulate the appropriate use and appreciation of recreation resources and establish a means to receive and encourage gifts, endowments, and bequests. The Friends will support and cooperate with the Recreation department in providing recreation and leisure services and lend legislative advocacy support at local, State, and Federal levels to improve the opportunities for residents to have access to and enjoy public recreation.