BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer
At left, Peader McMahon and Patricio Vera, both 10 years old, practice defensive skills under the guidance of UK Elite coach Daniel Gronnow in a program Borough Parks and Recreation Director Robert Evans (above) put together. The soccer program is one of many Evans has brought to the community. RED BANK — Though the streets may be filled with strangers, Robert Evans hopes the borough’s fields will be filled with families.
Evans, the new parks and recreation director as of June 1, has a goal of getting residents of all ages involved in the many new recreation programs the borough has to offer.
Evans, of Middletown, came to the borough this summer from Hillsborough Township, where he worked in the Recreation Department for 18 years.
“We want to establish more family-oriented programs,” he said.
To do this, Evans said the department has put programs together that encourage total family participation and interaction between the generations, such as having preschool programs at the senior center.
Children ages 4 to 6 are invited to the Red Bank Senior Center, Shrewsbury Avenue, for “Story Time” every Friday, starting Oct. 22. “Little Chefs,” which will take place on Fridays, starting Nov. 19, will have children help out in the kitchen, making goodies to bring home.
There is also talk of organizing a senior prom, at which high school seniors and members of the senior center get together for a dance and an intergenerational good time.
For residents between the toddler and senior categories, there are several youth and adult programs, including Open Gym Basketball for adults and teens from 7 to 9 p.m. at Red Bank Middle School. The cost is $30 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.
There is also a fishing derby on Saturday, Oct. 16, open to ages 5 to 12 at Count Basie Pond. The event is free and includes prizes and refreshments.
A 10-week indoor soccer program will begin in January for children, kindergarten through eighth grade. The cost is $15 for residents, and $25 for nonresidents.
“Biddie Basketball” for grades 1 through 3 also will begin in January at the Red Bank Primary School.
The borough’s annual Halloween Parade, a Red Bank tradition, will be held Oct. 24, and Evans said there will be a few new additions this year.
“There will be a Civil War re-enactment group in the parade this year,” he said. “And the New Jersey Devils’ mascot will be riding in one of our fire trucks.”
Evans said he is also working on getting a clown contingent for the parade to add even more color to the already festive event.
The department is also getting international help from UK Elite, a group from England that has been spending Thursday evenings training the youth soccer teams.
“There are different groups that do what they’re doing,” Evans said. “But these guys are the best for what we’re doing.”
“This program has been excellent,” said volunteer soccer coach Mark Allen, whose son, Sean, plays on the fourth- and fifth-grade team. “They are teaching them things and making it fun for the kids.”
The department also has reached out to the growing Hispanic community through the soccer program, and Evans said there was a very good turnout for the program from the community.
In addition to the regular holiday events, Evans is working on putting together a holiday social for people with disabilities.
There is also a ski trip planned for this winter and a white-water rafting trip in the spring.
“We want to get the entire community involved,” Evans said.
All of these events are paid for on a very tight budget, totaling $60,000, not including salaries, but including administrative fees. Evans estimated that about a quarter of that money goes directly into the programs.
Evans is already discussing plans for next summer, including a Wednesday night “New Song Writers Night” at Riverside Gardens Park, in addition to Tuesday Movie Night and Jazz in the Park on Thursdays.
The department is also considering expanding the summer camp from six to eight weeks.
“We’re out and about all the time now,” Evans said. “We’re very visible. We’re here to serve the public.”