“Creating Community Through People, Parks & Recreation”

The Parks and Recreation Division provides recreational services for various age groups, from the very young to our growing senior citizen community.

The Extended Child Care and Seasonal Camps continue to be vital programming, assisting the working parent with quality childcare services. Currently the department has four Extended Child Care Program sites located at Greenwood, Fremont, Washington and Potrero Heights Elementary Schools. The Extended Child Care Program accommodates youth attending the school sites mentioned, in grades K-4. The Day Camp program is offered for the winter, spring and summer break seasons and accommodates youth 5-10. All child care / camps provide supervision, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games and maintain safe and healthy environments. Playschool is offered to children 3-5 years of age. Participants have the opportunity to learn through exploration and play. The program provides a healthy, secure, creative and stimulating atmosphere.

With the Baby Boomers reaching their silver years, Senior Citizen programming is an integral facet to the Department’s dynamics. The Montebello Senior Center features a wide variety of programs and activities for adults 55 and over, including recreational, social services and daily nutrition services. Staff has been very successful in collaborating with outside agencies to provide mini health screenings, renter’s assistance, flu clinics and adult education. Some additional programming includes the senior driving course 55 and Alive, Estate Planning and Elder Law, Free Legal Aide, Income Tax Preparation, Senior Trips, Arts and Crafts, Dance Classes, Dances, Active Senior Clubs, Referral Services and a new addition, the Heart and Sole Program.

Adult sports leagues is one of the programs offered through the Department that generates revenue and targets adults 18 and over. The Adult Sports Programs encourage and foster a healthy lifestyle. The Department currently co-sponsors City Non-Profit Youth Sports Organizations  that provide a wide gambit of sports for boys and girls of the community. The sports currently offered are football, cheer, soccer, basketball, softball and baseball. Field usage has become a concern to accommodate the demand for space and time. Department staff works with all the organizations to maintain equitable field schedules.

The Division of Parks and Recreation’s Class Recreation Program offers youth and adults of all ages opportunities for self-improvement through exercise and movement, learning new skills and positive recreational activities. The classes currently offered are Guitar, Piano, Boot Camp, Karate, Ballet, Pre-Ballet, Folkloric Dance, Hip-Hop Dance, Jazz Dance, Salsa Dance, Tai Chi and Senior Heart and Sole. The wide variety of classes offered give community members multiple options that are sure to peak their interest. The Summer Aquatics program is offered June through August and for participants ages 1 and up. Participants can learn to swim with skilled instructors and can progress through levels to reach the achievement of swimming. Additionally, recreational swim and lap swim are also offered.

Youth ages 7-17 can visit local parks to participate in the Afterschool Recreation Program. This program is free and participants have the opportunity to engage in indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, sports, special activities, seasonal trips and homework help. The Noise Factory is the Department’s bi-monthly teen dances targeting youth in grades 5-8. Each dance is themed and the youth have a great time dancing, playing games and enjoying the snack shack. Teens and Pre-Teens ages 12 –17 can also join the Teen Leader Club to interact with youth their age in positive recreational experiences that include special activities, excursions and volunteer opportunities. Skate Nights are offered on schedule evenings at the Montebello Skate Park. Participants engage in skate contests, entertainment, professional demos and free raffles. The S.W.EE.T. Program is offered on a referral basis for youth at risk. The youth participants meet with Department staff on a monthly basis and are encouraged to follow a monthly calendar that includes activities, workshops and community involvement. Youth ages 1-18 can participate in the U.S.D.A., Free Lunch Program. The Lunch Program is offered year round at Holifield Park  and is in partnership with the Montebello Unified School District. The Summer Youth Employment Program (S.Y.E.P.) is a work experience the opportunity for youth ages 14-21. The employment experience enables the youth to develop positive skills. The youth programs offered by the Division of Parks and Recreation are making a positive difference in the quality of life for the community.

The Parks and Recreation Division plans and coordinates special events in the Montebello community. Events that display Montebello’s unique heritage and diverse cultures. The current events are the 4th of July Spectacular, Veteran's Day Program, Memorial Day Program, Red Ribbon Week, Summer Youth Employment Golf Tournament, Battle of the Bands and the very successful Summer Concerts in the Park Series.

Behind the scenes of the Department, the Park Maintenance Division tends to the parks and City facilities used by our residents. The number of park users has increased dramatically over the last several years and the need to upgrade, repair and enhance our outdoor recreational sites is an ongoing operation. Facility rentals are available for designated Department facilities for a fee.

The City of Montebello’s Parks and Recreation Division is dedicated to providing services, leisure time activities and healthy recreational programs for members of the community. The Department encourages individuals to discover the recreational experiences currently offered.

The Parks and Recreation Division is Creating Community though People, Parks and Recreation. By highlighting the City’s commitment to provide the community with social, cultural, recreational and educational activities to promote and enhance the quality of life in the City of Montebello.