BPRD updates after-school care, scholarship program

The Bend Park and Recreation District held its board meeting Tuesday night, where changes to its after-school programs were discussed..

With Bend-La Pine Schools changing schedules for next year, the park district is also changing its after-school program to align with those changes.

Starting next school year, after-school care for elementary students will be from 2:30 to 6 p.m. every day of the school week except Wednesday.

On Wednesdays, with schools having early release, the after-school care will go from 1 to 6 p.m.

They’re also, for the time being, doing away with the morning care because of earlier start times.

If there’s a demand for the morning care, though, the district plans to bring it back.

Sue Boettner, recreation manager for the program, said making sure this service is provided is a huge collaborative effort.

“We value that partnership. Its a really great use of tax dollars. You know, we all pay for schools and the park district, so when any agencies can partner together, that just leverages funds for everybody and becomes a better situation,” Boettner said. “So we’re grateful that the school district works so closely with us, not only in our after-school, but all of our programs that we offer.”

Boettner also said they’re working hard to make sure they can accommodate as many students as possible.

Registration for the next school year is May 20.

The board also gave approval to apply for a grant to help fund improvements for Drake Park and the Deschutes River Trail.

In 2018, more than 250,000 people floated the river, exiting at Drake Park. That caused erosion problems to the bank, which is in need of repair.

The board is requesting more than $480,000 to help make those improvements, as well as expand the Deschutes River Trail.

The funding also would help pay for a pathway from the beach to a new bus plaza, and an accessible restroom.

If the funding is secured, the project could move forward in the fall of 2020.

The park district also is working to expand its scholarship program, hoping to get more people involved.

This year, the district is expected to spend $210,000 on scholarships, to cover program costs for those who cannot afford it.

On Tuesday night, it approved more than $260,000 for the program for next year.

The idea is to give those needing financial assistance the ability to participate in recreational programs.

Boettner said the program is vital to the success of the park district.

“Well, it means everything,” she said. “That’s our mission, right? Our mission is to provide the vitality and opportunities for everybody in our community, and when we say everyone in our community, we mean everybody, even the folks that can’t afford it. We want to find ways to get them to our programs, however we can do.”

The district also has partnered with several nonprofits to help fund the scholarship program.

The idea is to reach out to underserved areas of the community to get them involved.

Boettner said what it comes down to is providing as many opportunities for the community as possible.