I joined my 10-year-od son's swim team this year. I was tired of sitting on those awful benches while Chris swam. I was in rotten shape. Swimming is my favorite activity, and the "Masters" team practices at the same time.
Swimming that first night with Chris was tough. I could not swim across the pool, breathe right, or get my arms to work the way they should.
As a synchronized swimmer in college, we thought we were "better" than those on the racing team. I did NOT splash! Race-swimmers are so sloppy. They slosh water everywhere, and into my mouth every time they passed me. And that first night back they passed me--a lot! All the water I swallowed that first night had NOTHING to do with drowning in my own right!
My swim group in the O'Connell Center is a varied lot. The Eastside High School team swims with us. No other pool is warm enough in January. Olympic swimmer Michelle Griglione swims here while she finishes her Ph.D. Several began swimming this year, and others are tri-athletes. We swim for exercise, for hopes of Junior Olympic times, and for the peace that comes with renewal.
We need recreation in Alachua County. For parents, the recognition of this need grows as our kids grow. It grows as we lose prominent citizens to "recreation-friendly" areas of the country. It grows as our jails and welfare budgets swell, because we have neglected recreation far too long.
Alachua ranks near the bottom of Florida counties in recreation. Florida itself is no prize, unless you mention beaches and fantasy rides. They are wonderful, and they drive our economy. But we lack basic, day-to-day things. We don't have the ball field at the end of the block, or the band shell in the local park, or the neighborhood playground.
As a parent on the west side of Gainesville, I drive crowded roads 2 hours daily to and from various "kid" activities. I sit on uncomfortable seats in heat and ants as my kids do their thing. I carpool, juggle competing schedules, and beg neighbors to get everybody where they need to go.
I do this because I believe these pastimes are good for my children.
Children build self-esteem in doing things that are otherwise impossible without practice. They build friendships with the "right" crowd; other kids involved in our society. They are committed, active, and happy.
Children involved in supervised recreation cannot get into trouble. Did you know that most teen pregnancies--and most teen crimes--happen after school? Every dollar we invest now in building personal skills and in keeping kids busy saves us $5 to $7 later in poverty and jails.
I drive to these activities because I hope my children develop skills beyond how to hit a ball or turn a cartwheel. I hope they learn the value and art of cooperation, leadership, and pride. They will master positive responses to winning and to losing. They will discover the joy of exercise, music, and relaxation. Organized recreation keeps kids away from the television and out of the kitchen--for a little while, anyway!
I drive because very little is available closer to my home. I hurt for kids who's parents work, or cannot drive everywhere, or have little money. Did you know that good recreation programs can be inexpensive?
I swim with the Florida Aquatic Swim Team (FAST) out of the O'Connell Center. With the roof replacement this summer, FAST has no home. Chris' group meets at the McGurn pool, where the Knights of Columbus used to be. I won't drive that far, even for him. My group still meets in the O'Connell Center's outdoor pool, but my kids must sit on the benches if I swim!
We sorely need more recreational facilities in Alachua County.
Our recreation plan is taking shape. We've listed over 170 natural, school, and recreational sites in Alachua County. This is the first consolidated listing of all of the parks, and it is very interesting.
We have an amazing variety and depth to our natural parks. We have Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Devil's Millhopper, Paines Prairie, and Poe Springs. We have Santa Fe Teaching Zoo and Morningside Nature Center. We have Lake Alice, Newnan's Lake, and Watermelon Pond. These are beautiful, but not all sites are accessible due to lack of trails and other needs.
What is apparent from looking at our new recreation maps is the lack of sports and cultural facilities. The county-wide recreation plan addresses this. We will improve existing facilities and add ball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, tracks, trails, skateboard parks, and even a football stadium. We plan to add multipurpose buildings and pools throughout the county.
These plans are important. They are a blueprint for our future. We need your input, your words of wisdom. We might not consider things you find vital to the success of these plans unless you tell us about them. Right now, we are looking at how each individual city or county plan affects the others. Adjustments may still made. There is so much we can do!
I know from my work with Kanapaha Park that we don't have the money to build large facilities. We need recreation centers from which to run programming. We need pools for teaching and competition, and to escape the August heat.
The only way to buy these things is to vote yes on the recreation initiative.
Without the recreation tax, Kanapaha Park is finished. We've built all we can. We have no home for bridge clubs, scouts, leisure classes, and senior activities. We have no place to check out volleyball nets or to buy ice cream. We cannot instill the joy and safety of knowing how to swim.
I joined Chris' swim team in January. Has it been worth it? My swimsuit is looser. Unfortunately, it's because the elastic is coming out. My chest is bigger, too. But, well... that's not something I need. I'm not sitting on those awful benches anymore, and it's peacefull and quiet while I swim.
My arms don't sag. I actually got in a "flexing" contest with another Mom. I couldn't believe it! I have . . . VEINS!
Has it been worth it? Chris says he's faster than me. He's wrong. I think. I'll tell him, when I catch my breath.
--Alison Law has been instrumental in the development of Kanapaha Park, and serves on the county-wide Recreation Work Force. The race between Chris and his mom will take place this week.