Park Place Youth Center launches summer season

The Times-Reporter
·3 min read
Young visitors have been able to take advantage of fun at the Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park.
Young visitors have been able to take advantage of fun at the Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park.

The Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia is ready to launch a summer-long series of fun and educational activities for kids ages 5 to 12. Under the guidance of Jordyn Starkey, Center Director, the club will offer a wide range of activities, some of which include sand art, rock painting, a scavenger hunt, make a bird feeder, corn hole tournament, and many other events in just the first two weeks of the summer season.

The club is headquartered at the Youth Center located near the main parking lot beside the Boardwalk and Gazebo. Starting the weekend of the Memorial Day holiday, Center hours will be Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Center is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Starkey says the Center’s calendar of events can be found on Tuscorapark.com under Park Place Youth Center.

Starkey says the Youth Center is a great starting point for families coming to Tuscora Park, whether it’s to take part in an event or activity, or pick up the official Tuscora Park t-shirt or other logo item. The Park Place Youth Center is operated by RTY, Inc. the non-profit organization that also operates the amusement rides, concessions, and Summer Showcase Concerts at the Tuscora Park Amphitheater.

“We came out of the COVID pandemic last year after completely remodeling the facility and tried out some activities to see what kids would like,” Starkey said. “From that first year, the Youth Center has come up with a long list of programs for kids and families.”

Most activities are free but a few have a small fee to cover material expenses or paid to an outside organization sponsoring the program.

Another new program for children is Max’s Kids’ Club, named in honor of the late Max Miller of New Philadelphia who donated the money to build the facility 22 years ago and endowed it with operating funds.

A young visitor enjoys Easter activities at the Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park.
A young visitor enjoys Easter activities at the Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park.

The cost to join Max’s Kids’ Club is $25 which includes a Kids’ Club t-shirt and enables the child to take part in most Center activities without additional charge. Members’ families also receive a weekly update from the Youth Center. Children can be enrolled by visiting the Youth Center during its regular hours or on-line at the Tuscora Park web site. All children are welcome to take part in Youth Center programs and events whether they are a Kids’ Club member or not.

The Youth Center is inviting kids to participate in the summer Putt Putt Golf League, a sevenweek event starting June 7 using the Park’s 18-hole miniature golf course every Tuesday afternoon at 3 pm. Golfers will play in a group of 5 to 9 year olds or a group of ages 10 and older. There is a $20 registration fee which includes playing fees, a specialty golf ball and prizes. Children can sign up at the Youth Center or by calling 330-343-6814.

Another new service offered by the Park Place Youth Center is equipment rental. For a fee of $5 visitors to the Park may rent fishing poles, tennis rackets, basketballs, or corn hole boards to use during their visit and return to the Center when finished. Equipment is available on a first-come basis.

Story time is a great time for young visitors at the Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park.
Story time is a great time for young visitors at the Park Place Youth Center at Tuscora Park.

In addition to Tuscorapark.com, more information about the Park Place Youth Center is available on the Tuscora Park Facebook page or by calling 330-364-6814 during the Center’s operation hours.

— Submitted by RTY

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Park Place Youth Center launches summer season