Mineola Recreation Program Boasts Record Numbers

The Mineola Village Summer Recreation Program is literally bursting at the seams thanks to a record number of children enrolled for the 2011 season.

According to village figures there are 425 children in the 30-day program, which is held from July 5 through August 5 at .

“This is the highest number we’ve seen in the nearly 20 years that I’ve been here,” Superintendent of Public Works Tom Rini said during the ’s recent meeting Wednesday night. “They’ve packed the park.” 

This year the village did not turn anyone away since applications kept coming in late. However, since the sheer volume of the program is now reportedly making it difficult for the children, who are organized into groups in the program, to move about the park, “it is something going forward which we may have to look at, keep an eye on and see if there’s something we can do to make that a little easier,” Rini said.

There are also logistical issues to consider as during days of high heat and rain children gather in the space, which consists of three classrooms and gym.

“We do get a slight drop off, some people don’t bring their kids on a rainy day, but it creates a capacity issue there,” Rini said. “While the gym may be for an arguable number say 400, may be able to hold 400, that’s not 400 kids playing.”