As kids head back to class next week, the city will offer a range of afternoon programs for youth through the fall and winter, the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department announced Tuesday.

The department will also offer in-person adaptive recreation programs through December for middle school and high school youth and adults that include art, games and fitness activities designed for people with special needs.

After-school programs

Fall programs for children ages 5 to 12 will take place after-school, at varying times per location, on weekdays from Aug. 30 to Sept. 30. Participants will receive homework assistance, enrichment activities and games that follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. Sign-ups online for after-school programs kick off at the department’s website beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.

The after-school programs are offered free of charge. In-person registration is available at each of the listed sites.

The after-school programs will take place at the following parks:

  • Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., 562-570-1601
  • Cesar E. Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave., 562-570-8890
  • College Estates Park, 808 Stevely Ave., 562-570-1617
  • Coolidge Park, 352 E. Neece St., 562-570-1618
  • Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave., 562-570-1625
  • El Dorado Park West, 2800 N. Studebaker Road, 562-570-3225
  • Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., 562-570-1640
  • MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim St., 562.570.1655
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave., 562-570-4405
  • McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 562-570-1605
  • Orizaba Park, 1435 Orizaba Ave., 562-570-1427
  • Pan American Park, 5157 E. Centralia St., 562-570-3297
  • Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65th St., 562-570-1665
  • Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Blvd., 562-570-1674
  • Seaside Park, 14th Street at Chestnut Ave., 562-570-1625
  • Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St., 562-570-1675
  • Somerset Park, 1500 E. Carson St., 562-570-1690
  • Stearns Champions Park 4520 E. 23rd St., 562-570-1685
  • Veterans Park, 101 E. 28th St., 562-570-1695
  • Wardlow Park, 3457 Stanbridge Ave., 562-570-1705
  • Whaley Park, 5620 E. Atherton St., 562-570-1710
Programs for kids and adults

The Youth ARISE (Adaptive Recreation in a Special Environment) program serves middle school- and high school-age participants featuring recreational and enrichment activities. The camp will take place at Stearns Champions Park, 4520 E. 23rd St., from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The sessions begin on Saturday, Sept. 11 and run through Saturday, Dec. 18 (holidays excluded). The fee is $4 per session.

ARISE for adults is an adaptive recreation program at Stearns Champions Park for individuals 18 and over. The program offers activities such as art, games and fitness activities designed for people with special needs. This program is offered from 2 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The sessions begin the week of Aug. 30 and continue through Dec. 30 (holidays excluded). The fee is $15 per weekly session.

To sign-up online for both ARISE programs, residents may visit the department website beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25. In-person registration will be available at Stearns Champions Park by appointment only beginning the same day.

An intake meeting is required for all new participants. Individuals may call 562-440-2867 for more information. Both programs will follow enhanced safety protocols for the health and safety of both participants and staff, and will offer a five-to-one participant-to-staff ratio, according to the department. Spots are limited.

At this time, the city has not announced specifics of the types of activities and recreation will be taking place during these programs.

For any program activities held indoors, face coverings will be required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, per California Department of Public Health guidance and the city’s health order.

For more information about other free or low-cost programs, visit the recreation and marine website or by calling 562-570-3150.