By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Jacksonville made quite a splash recently when two of its water-related activities earned prestigious awards from the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Association.
The city’s parks and recreation department was named Therapeutic Recreation Pro-gram of the Year for the swimming lessons it offers to people from all walks of life and Natural Resources Program of the Year for its youth fishing derby.
Jacksonville’s swim program stood out from others across the state because it includes classes for individuals with special needs. Last year, three swim instructors have branched out to include private lessons for people with disabilities.
Aquatics manager and instructor Diane Novotny said the program has served people with disabilities since the community center at 5 Municipal Drive opened, which was in 1995.
The swim lessons are taught privately or in a small group setting depending on the needs of each participant. The classes range from 30 to 40 minutes long, but they can last as long as necessary to meet the needs of each student.
Novotny said that while 10 to 15 years ago she was teaching children diagnosed with Down syndrome how to swim, many of her current students have been diagnosed with autism.
According to autismspeaks.org, autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders involving brain development that are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.
“Children with autism have significant sensory difficulties. They tend to overreact or under react to stimuli and have strong reactions to some textures,” Novotny explained.
She said the water provides a safe environment that calms and soothes the sensory input autistic children crave.
About the award, Novotny said, “I was really, really pleased for my instructors. It’s nice to see that we’re not only looked at for swim lessons but for the therapeutic benefit of the swim lessons.”
Eighty-five children, those with special needs and many without, have signed up for April classes, which are full, she said.
To sign up for classes in May, visit the community center.
An average of 100 people take swim lessons at the center each month, Novotny noted.
Classes are not held in December or August. Morning classes are offered in June and July. Evening classes are held January through July, in October and in November.
The swim lessons are just one drop in the bucket of the parks and recreation department’s success.
The other award winner, the youth fishing derby, was established — in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and other community sponsors — in 1997 as a way to introduce youth to fishing and as an opportunity for families to spend time together outside.
Recreation Coordinator Dana Rozenski said the program is important because “I think so many times families get caught up in TVs and video games, iPhones and electronics. We need to be outside. We need to be exposed to nature.”
The derby is an annual event held at Dupree Park Lake, 1700 Redmond Road, on a Saturday in June.
The Game and Fish Commission stocks the lake with about 400 catfish the week before the event, according to Rozenski.
Between 125 and 150 children, ages 15 and under, usually sign up to compete.
The operating budget for the derby is $800, which covers the prizes and other expenses. Donations from local businesses and the Game and Fish Commission are also used for prizes.
In 2012, the event had 116 registered participants and many more who showed up without registering.
The parks and recreation department provided six paid staff members, including two of the maintenance staff, who watched the lake after it was stocked. Two volunteers were also on hand to help.
The youth fishing derby has been a standalone event in the past, but that will change this year, Rozenski said.
The city’s last Wing Ding Festival was held in 2011.
The event is being replaced this year with Jacksonville’s first FestiVille, which will be held June 21-22 at Dupree Park.
Ashland Chemical hosted a free fishing derby every year during the Wing Ding Festival.
Rather than having the youth fishing derby and another fishing derby at the festival, Rozenski said the company would host a fishing derby for all ages during FestiVille.
Details about registration are still being worked out, she noted, but the derby will be held at Dupree Park Lake on June 22 during FestiVille.
Other upcoming parks and recreation events include:
• Park of the Month from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13 at North Lake Park, 1 Tennis Court. The event is free.
• CPR Challenge from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11 at the community center. The cost is $50.
• Park of the Month from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11 at Paradise Park, 1 Paradise Park Road. The event is free.
• School Out Celebration and Movie in the Park at 5 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Splash Zone, 201 W. Martin St. Admission is $5.
• Park of the Month from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1 at Jimmie White Park at 115 Cheyenne Trail. The event is free.
• Pool Side Cutie Contest from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8 at Splash Zone.
