Commentary
Guest column: Excited for a new season at the Tiffin Parks
Sometimes I feel like a big kid, because I’ve never stopped looking forward to summer. As the director of the Tiffin Parks and Recreation Department, I’m excited to be able to bring the community together with so many fun activities throughout the year, but it’s really during the months of June, July and August when we get to have the most fun.
As our busiest season of the year gets started, I want to thank everyone in the department who help make our programs a success and keep our parks looking beautiful. I am fortunate to have Mason Correll, Recreation Operations Manger, and Todd Maddox, Grounds Manager, work with me throughout the year to prepare for the summer months. Additionally, this year we will have about 30 seasonal employees for maintenance, day camps, lifeguards and supervisors. With more than 200 acres of grass land, 19 parks and six miles of trails, we really appreciate everyone’s efforts.
The City Pool officially opened May 30 and is open daily 1-7 p.m. Daily pool passes are $5 for people ages 3 and older and a Season Pass for 2022 can be purchased for $10. Pool goers are encouraged to purchase Season Passes online at tiffinparks.com.
Day and sports camps recently opened. Every year there is a lot of interest in our day camps, but registration was especially strong this year. Thank you to all of the families who trust us with your children every year!
We’re also gearing up for a year of fun at the East Green as well, with Yoga at the East Green and Thursday Night Tunes.
Yoga classes are 9-10 a.m. Saturdays through Aug. 27 with Yoga Chuck and Kaitlyn Borer, sponsored by Tiffin Parks and Recreation.
Thursday Night Tunes (TNT) begins June 16, with a kick-off show that coincides with the Bicentennial Birthday Party Third Thursday event in Downtown Tiffin. Concerts are weekly on Thursdays beginning at 7 p.m. with the final performance, the Band Bash, set for Aug. 18. The 2022 TNT season is sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank.
Our biggest single day event each year is the 4th of July celebration at Hedges-Boyer Park. It’s by far one of the busiest days at our parks every year, but this year is especially exciting with our celebration of the Tiffin bicentennial, which includes a car show, more food vendors and bands than ever before, our biggest fireworks display ever, and a special concert by Darryl Worley. Probably best known for his hit song “Have You Forgotten?”, Worley has toured the U.S. many times and regularly performs for the troops at home and overseas. We’re thrilled to have him here performing a free concert for the residents of Tiffin and helping us to celebrate our 200th birthday!
The “Cruisin’ Thru the Years” car show has been especially fun to add to our offerings on Independence Day. We expect more than 50 classic cars to be on display at the park on July 4, and hope people arrive early to see the cars starting at 9 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Thank you to Reineke Family Dealerships for sponsoring the car show.
Finally, what I’m most excited for this year is the new inclusive playground at Hedges-Boyer Park. I’ve wanted to bring an inclusive playground to Tiffin for many years, and when funds became available through the American Recovery Plan Act, I knew it was our opportunity to make this a reality. I want to thank Mayor Montz, City Administration and Tiffin City Council for their support of this project that will benefit so many living in our community and visiting our parks.
And I don’t want to forget that we also recently completed improvements at Nature Trails Park on Davis Street. This great community park now has a brand new playground and walking path, which were funded with the help of a Community Development Block Grant.
Tiffin is so fortunate to have such a great park system, and I’m grateful every day that I get to help bring joy to people through activities and play in the great outdoors.
Bryce Kuhn is the parks and recreation director for the City of Tiffin. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
