Santee Wins Playful City USA Honor

KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit group, today honored the city of Santee as a “Playful City USA” for its ongoing commitment to a robust parks system and providing opportunities for children to enjoy the outdoors.

Santee was one of three cities countywide, 26 in California and 217 nationwide to receive the “Playful City” designation. The other two local cities to receive the honor are Encinitas and La Mesa.

Sponsored by the Humana Foundation, this recognition is given to communities that demonstrate a commitment to community partnerships that foster opportunities for children to play.

Santee earned the recognition for the second consecutive year by partnering with local school districts and nonprofit groups to provide joint-use recreation facilities and playing fields for local youth.

By earning a Playful City USA designation again, Santee is eligible to apply for grants to pay for park improvements, playground equipment, and recreation programs.

One of the primary goals of Playful City USA is to encourage communication and idea sharing between cities. For a complete list of winners or more information, click here.

Santee Wins State Grant for Local Parks

The state announced today it has awarded the city of Santee a $117,450 grant that can be used to acquire land and develop a neighborhood park.
Santee was one of five cities in San Diego County to earn a grant under the Housing Related Parks Program administered by the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

"We’re excited because this grant will enable Santee to enhance the quality of life by building a park in one of our neighborhoods where it is needed the most," said Community Services Director Bill Maertz.

The purpose of the grant program is to reward cities and counties that provide new affordable housing units by awarding them funds to build parks in under-served neighborhoods.

Santee qualified for the grant because its Community Development Commission provided partial financing for the construction of a 48-unit affordable apartment complex called Cedar Creek, which was completed in 2010 at a cost of $14.1 million.

State Housing and Community Development Director Linn Warren applauded the 33 cities statewide that received $11.3 million in grants under the program.

"These local governments have demonstrated a commitment to affordable housing at a time when the housing market has proven to be a significant challenge for California families and low-wage workers," Warren said in a news release.

Did You Know? State Law Bans Smoking at Playgrounds

The city of Santee this week posted signs advising the public to refrain from smoking at public playgrounds where children could be exposed to second-hand smoke.

                              

A state law enacted in 2002 prohibits smoking as well as dumping butts in playgrounds or tot lots.

The law makes it an infraction -- with a fine of $100 -- to smoke a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other tobacco-related product within the boundaries of a playground or a sandbox.

 

Smokers also risk a $100 fine if they toss a cigarette or cigar butt in a playground.

 California Heath and Safety Code Section 104495 prohibits smoking within 25 feet of a playground, which is defined as:

"any park or recreational area specifically designed to be used by children that has play equipment installed, or any similar facility located on public or private school grounds, or on city, county, or state park grounds."

The no-smoking signs at Santee parks were furnished at no cost by the county. Funds to help with the installation were donated by Santee Solutions, a local advocacy group that supports a smoke-free and drug-free community.



Santee Named “Playful City USA” Community

4-year-old Joey Andrew of Santee tries out the slide

Today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation, but Santee earned recognition today from national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2012 Playful City USA community because of efforts made to prioritize play opportunities for children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is critical to healthy brain development because it allows children to use their creativity while simultaneously developing imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength. Yet today’s children spend less time playing outside than any previous generation in part because only 1-in-5 live within walking distance of a park or playground. The resulting play deficit is having consequences for kids physically, socially and academically.

Santee is among 213 communities in 41 states that received the Playful City USA designation since the program began six years ago in partnership with the Humana Foundation.  The designation is given to communities that demonstrate a commitment to physical activity by developing local action plans to increase the quantity and quality of opportunities for children to play through community partnerships, as well as recreational facilities that promote exercise and fitness. Santee was acknowledged for partnering with local school districts to provide joint use playing fields for youth sports activities and leagues.

The recognition also means Santee is qualified to apply for grants to help pay for park improvements, playground equipment and recreation programs. The grants are offered through Let’s Play, a partnership led by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

A primary goal of the Playful City USA program is to encourage cities and towns to share ideas, concepts and programs to increase play opportunities for children. Other local cities sharing the 2012 designation are Chula Vista, La Mesa, and Encinitas. For a complete list of winners or additional information visit http://www.playfulcityusa.org/.   

Santee Memorial Program

Honor a friend, relative or favorite organization during this season of giving by donating a park bench, picnic table or tree in their name at one of Santee’s city parks.

Although benches and tables are a standardized design selected by the Community Services Department, contributors can choose from a variety of tree species that are suitable to donate.

Park benches can be donated for $1,400. Picnic tables are $1,000.  For each bench or picnic table donated, the city will install a 5-by-10-inch memorial plaque carrying the name of the person or organization being commemorated. Trees are $100 for a 15-gallon size, $200 for a 24-inch box and $700 for a 36-inch box. Each donated tree is recognized with a brass leaf etched with the honoree’s name that is placed on a commemorative tree plaque at City Hall.

The donation covers the cost of acquisition and installation.

All donated trees, tables and benches will be maintained by the city of Santee for the duration of their useful life.

In addition to acknowledging someone you wish to remember, your contribution will support recreational opportunities and enhance Santee’s parks.

Applications can be obtained at the Community Services Department at City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA  92071.

The application is also available to download on the park page of the City's website.

Grand Opening for Woodglen Vista Dog Park

The city of Santee will officially dedicate the 1-acre off-leash dog park at Woodglen Vista Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The public is invited to come and celebrate this new park amenity, which was completed in August.  There will be prizes and hot dogs provided by the Friends of the Woodglen Vista Dog Park.

Dog Park Grass Needs A Break

In an effort to promote greener and healthier grass, the city intends to close the leash-free fenced dog park at Woodglen Vista Park for a week from Aug. 1 -7.

Dog handlers and their pets will be allowed to use the baseball field east of the fenced dog park.  Signs will be posted advising park users about the temporary relocation of the leash-free zone.

“We need to give the grass a break so we can perform maintenance and prevent the dog park from turning brown,” said Community Services Director Bill Maertz. 

During the closure, city maintenance crews will aerate and seed the turf to promote a more green and robust lawn.

July is Park and Recreation Month

There’s no more appropriate time to spotlight how parks improve our quality of life than during July, which is National Park & Recreation Month.

In Santee, the city operates five neighborhood parks, two mini parks, and a community park where folks can get outside to have a picnic, take a walk, swim, play ball or toss a Frisbee. But that’s just the tip of the ice cream cone.

The city also sponsors a variety of recreation programs, including a Seniors’ Club, a summer camp for kids and numerous instructional classes, such as jewelry making, karate or dancing.

Santee offers the best deal on live summer concerts (they’re free), held on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park through August 18. 

If your kids are acting bored since the school year ended, there’s still time to sign them up for a week or longer of day camp. Kids who are into BMX, scooters or skateboards can have fun at the skate and BMX facility at Woodglen Vista Park. Summer hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The city also operates a Teen Center at Santee Lakes that during the summer is open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A monthly Friday Night Hot Spot event, for students entering grades 6 through 9, features games, music and dancing.

The Seniors’ Club meets each Wednesday with additional senior outings scheduled once to twice a month at various spots throughout the county. The next trip scheduled for July 12 is a sojourn to the city of Coronado via the passenger ferry across San Diego Bay.

Visit the the Santee Recreation Services Division to see the recreation programs being offered.  Check out the Santee city parks page for information on parks.

Celebrate July as National Park and Recreation month by visiting one of your local parks and see why parks make life better.