Children, adults, senior citizens and even beloved furry friends — every member of the family can find something that captivates them within the city of Strongsville’s recreational offerings.
“Our mayor likes to say that we have offerings from the cradle to the grave,” says Bryan Bogre, parks, recreation and senior services director for Strongsville. “We have classes for infants all the way up to our senior center offerings. They’re for nonresidents, too. Anybody can join them — the pay structure may just be a little different depending on whether someone is a resident or not.”
Bogre and Sheena Wright, senior services coordinator for Strongsville, map out the multitude of activities Strongsville’s recreation department currently provides.
Fun for Kids
In thinking about the array of programs presented through the city of Strongsville, parents should never have to worry about their kids uttering those dreaded words, “I’m bored.”
“All the activities we offer here help keep kids involved and active,” Bogre says. “It’s all about getting them off of their video games and encouraging them to be out and about. Plus, they’re making new friends in the process.”
For children as young as 6 months old, Strongsville’s recreation department presents aquatic lessons on water safety. From there, children can advance to stroke clinics to refine their skills and move up to join the swim team.
However, swimming isn’t the only sport the center offers — it also dabbles in leagues for baseball, soccer, karate, volleyball, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball and more.
“We offer almost every sport except football,” Bogre says.
The scope of the recreation center’s programming moves beyond physical activities.
For example, the “mad scientist” preschool programming broaches STEM activities.
The summertime day camps, many of them focusing on a theme, also roll all summer long.
Each camp includes a field trip every week that’s centered around the theme. Some of the field trips have included trips to see the Akron Rubber Ducks baseball team in action, check out the animals at the zoo and reach new heights at Sky Zone.
“Parents are looking for somewhere for their kids to go during the day when they’re at work, so those activities have all been popular, as well,” Bogre says.
The recreation center also offers American Red Cross online courses in babysitting, first aid techniques and more.
Adults Get Moving
Children aren’t the only ones looking for fun physical activities to try.
Whether adults are interested in taking classes in yoga, Pilates, barre, spinning or step — the Strongsville Recreation Center has it all.
Additionally, the center includes a weight room, 75 pieces of cardio equipment and an indoor track.
“There’s going to be something for everyone to work out,” Bogre says.
Additionally, the sports leagues aren’t only for the kids — for those adults looking for a little camaraderie and team spirit, the center offers leagues such as softball, basketball and volleyball.
Parents and guardians who would like to partake in the city’s recreational offerings but who can’t find childcare need not worry — the center has that covered, too, in the form of Miss Katie’s Playroom, a structured environment where parents can pay a monthly fee to drop their kids off while they exercise.
“There is a little bit of free play, but it’s structured in the sense that they’re learning things and being read books,” Bogre says.
Seniors Stay Active
Strongsville’s Senior Center puts forth a lot of effort to ensure the area’s senior citizens are not left out.
“We’re a great place for seniors to meet new friends, keep their minds and bodies active and get out of the house and have a social life,” Wright says.
The senior center puts on exercise classes for varying levels of fitness. “We like to say we have something for everyone from the beginner who wants to start exercising or who is recovering from an illness or surgery to people who are looking to build their heart rate up and keep it up,” Wright says.
Additionally, Strongsville’s recreation center offers aquatic classes.
“Those are good for people who may have arthritis, because the water is a lot easier on the joints,” Bogre notes.
Bogre says the Silver Sneakers program that runs through insurance companies also encourages seniors to be active and get moving.
“We will see a lot of seniors who come up here, and they don’t do it just to work out — they come up here also for the fellowship and camaraderie of other people,” he says.
The senior center also offers art classes such as watercolor and classical painting, as well as computer classes. Instructors can cater classes for beginner artists all the way up to those looking to perfect their craft.
Speaking of hands-on activities, the senior center’s wood shop provides a space for seniors to work on wood-carving projects — and even includes a program where seniors can bring in items for repair.
“Our wood shop is great, especially in the wintertime when people don’t want to work out in a cold garage,” Wright says. “For people who don’t want to work in a wood shop, they can bring in repairs, and they’ll fix it up for you.”
Finally, Bingo, Bunko, Bridge — you name it, the center hosts rounds of games traditionally associated with the senior population, and for people unfamiliar with the games, instructors teach players the ins and outs.
To educate the senior population and provide outreach services, the center also offers classes on how senior citizens — a vulnerable population often targeted by scams — can defend against them.
“We have two different attorneys who come in monthly to give free consultations and answer questions, and we have a Medicare counselor who comes in to answer questions and help them select a Medicare supplement plan,” Wright adds. “The person comes through the Ohio Department of Insurance and is nonbiased. It’s all for educational purposes, and no question is too silly.”
The center even offers activities outside its four walls, including day trips like Put-in-Bay and Chautauqua, and excursions to wineries, shows at the theater and more.
Outside of day trips and excursions, the center’s transportation program, which boasts 700 registered riders, will take residents to doctor’s appointments, hair appointments, grocery shopping and even to nearby nursing homes so seniors can visit loved ones.
“Our service keeps seniors independent so that they’re not relying on family or friends or having to cancel doctor’s appointments because they can’t find a way to make it there,” Wright says.
To inquire about any program at the senior center, call 440-580-3275 or visit the website at Strongsville.org/departments/senior-center. The center is open to those age 50 or older, and while Strongsville residents will pay the lowest membership rate ($20 per year); nonresidents are welcome to join as well (at a membership rate of $45 per year).
“We’re here for the older adults in our city for whatever they need,” Wright says.
Pet Friendly
People aren’t the only ones benefiting from Strongsville’s robust recreation offerings. Back again at the Strongsville Recreation Center after a hiatus due to COVID-19 are pet training classes.
The multiweek courses cover commands such as heeling and sitting, sit and stay, down and stay, stand and stay and coming when called.
All of it is designed to help pet owners bring out the best in their pets.
Fun for Everyone
Activities that the entire family will enjoy include movie screenings over the football field, parent-child events and an all-day Zumba event that mirrors a line-dancing jamboree event that is put on for the senior citizens.
“For that line-dancing event, it’s an all-day event, and people can take a break to eat and chat and things like that,” Bogre says. “We’re still in the planning stages for a similar Zumba event.”
While in the past, the center has also hosted traditional father-daughter or mother-son dances, it hopes to encompass a broader audience with a new parent-child event.
“We’re looking at doing some sort of parent-child night of fun with different sports and activities in the fall,” Bogre says. “It’s something cool for everyone.”
