Play in the Park director seeks transportation support as summer program grows

Michelle Yancey, director of the Play in the Park summer program, described a free recreational and educational summer program for elementary students entering kindergarten through sixth grade and asked the board to continue supporting transportation and other costs.

"This is our 31st year, so proud of this, and this is absolutely free for every single student, all families free," Yancey said. She reported last year’s signup of about 200 students with an average daily attendance near 90; early registrants this year numbered 65 and were rising, with a noted 31% increase in participation from Liberty Elementary so far.

Yancey said the program provides both breakfast and lunch, incurs significant transportation costs for field trips and swimming days, and is recruiting additional staff to reduce the ratio from about 18:1 to 14:1 by hiring two employees. She asked the board to continue providing two buses and to consider adding a third if registration continues to climb.

Board members thanked Yancey and other volunteers and acknowledged the program’s role in addressing food insecurity and providing summer enrichment. The board took no immediate funding vote but recorded the request for consideration in budget planning.

Yancey also reported relying on grants and donations to offset costs and encouraged the board and community to share information about online registration and outreach.