Last of the lazy days

Last of the lazy days Local youths are making the most of summer by participating in a plethora of outdoor activities and programs.

By Fred Durso Jr. After a rigorous game of baseball at Columbus Square Playground, Lisa Mc Millan heads inside the facility to cool off.

Joining eight other children, ranging in age from 6 to 12, around a television Friday, the resident of the 1200 block of Ellsworth Street takes a load off while watching Spider-Man 2.

It has been an eventful week for Mc Millan, a summer camp participant at the 12th and Reed streets playground. The day before, she and the rest of the group had no problem consuming an enormous chocolate chip cookie they helped prepare. These thrill-seekers also braved the heat and hair-raising rides during a trip to New Jersey’s Clementon Amusement Park Aug. 2.

For 12-year-old Mc Millan, days like these beat lounging around the house.

"I have nothing else to do, so I come here," she said.

Many youths are keeping active – and entertained – this year at local recreation centers and playgrounds. And before their freedom is interrupted by tests and homework, they are making the most of the summer’s sticky situation. As temperatures climb near the 100-degree mark, children are cooling off with indoor activities, taking dips at swimming pools and visiting the city’s newest addition, spraygrounds.

But a little sweat never hurt John and Nick Deleo, who enjoy playing baseball at Columbus Square even during the summer’s hottest days.

"I’m the best outfielder here," boasted Nick, 11. "I never drop the ball in the outfield."

He immediately received a light punch from his 12-year-old brother, John.

As they chomped on lunch, the two said fishing at the Shore also is a favorite summer past time.

Both brothers, who have been members of the Columbus Square summer day camp for five years, said it’s the "little guy’s" first year – referring to younger brother Tony, 6.

While her group can be a handful, Laura Bordoni, the playground’s day-camp director, knows the importance of her job.

"It keeps them off the streets and keeps them active," she said. "If they were at home, they would be sitting in front of the TV or playing video games."

TAKING SHADE UNDERNEATH an umbrella, Shawn Wilson monitors the throngs of children frolicking in the pool at Chew Playground, 19th Street and Washington Avenue. As required by the city, the recreation leader takes an hourly head count.

"On really hot days, it can go up to 100 people" an hour, he said.

The basketball and football programs, which begin after 6 p.m., also are popular during the summer months, added Wilson.

As long as the children are occupied, Wilson said, he is elated.

"We have some kids that are a pain in the butt," he said, "but it’s better that they are a pain in the butt to me rather than out in the street."

Smith Playground was one of the city’s first facilities to replace its pool with spraygrounds, a colorful area where water spurts through mounted structures and geysers. Since the pool required hefty improvements, the city opted to shut it down and install the devices in its place, this being its inaugural summer. The change prompted mixed reactions from the youngsters.

"With a pool, you can go swimming and play with your friends rather than just stand around," said 13-year-old Marquise Price, of 20th and Dickinson streets.

Saliha Cudri opts to cool off at the spraygrounds at 2100 S. 24th St.

"I like them because I don’t know how to swim," said Cudri, 10.

Paulette Copeland-Bolton, Smith Playground’s facility supervisor, said even adults are ready participants at the spraygrounds.

Parent Nancy Bruch endures the summer heat while waiting for her two sons, Michael and Christopher, to emerge from the pool at Barry Playground, 1800 Johnston St. Her boys usually frequent the watering hole three times a week and Christopher, 6, participates in the playground’s tennis program.

Bruch, from the 1800 block of Hicks Street, drove to the facility, but said her clan "probably would walk it, but wouldn’t want to walk home. They would be too tired."

Her family has had an eventful summer, which included a trip to Wildwood, N.J., and a tour of historic Philadelphia. But, as the summer winds down, the busy mother said the beginning of the school year is a welcoming thought.

While taking a breather from the pool, Kalif Allen chats with his brother, Kalin, and older sister Karina Shamberger. He is soaking in the sun’s rays, paying no mind to the 96-degree temperature last Friday.

"I like it nice and hot, but breezy," said Kalif, 14.

Shamberger, 23, said she might take her two siblings to a theme park as the final hoorah to the season.

"It will be one last trip before they go back to school," she said, as both boys cringed at the notion of returning to the classroom next month.