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Lan-Oak Park District offers ‘a good variety’ at Eisenhower Center

New programs, affordable prices make 2018 a good year to get active

by Katie Arvia

LANSING, Ill. (January 2018) – Throughout the year, the Lan-Oak Park District offers a wide variety of classes and programs for residents of Lansing and beyond. This season, an array of new offerings has been added to the list.

Oralethea Davenport, Superintendent of Recreation and Finance for the park district, explained that people of any age can enjoy the programs, from babies to seniors.

“We try to offer a good variety [of programs] so everybody can find something here, no matter their age,” Davenport said. “…I think it’s very important for people to be able to have a place like this, that offers such a variety of programs and activities.”

New programs

New programs this season include Flavors of the World, African Dancing, and Social Media 101. The Park District catalog says Flavors of the World will “wake up your taste buds” with recipes from around the globe, while African Dancing offers students a high-intensity workout that teaches the “fundamentals of West African dance and drum rhythms.”

Social Media 101 will be offered to two different age groups: 11–13 years and 30+ years. For the younger group, the class will teach participants how to safely navigate social media sites, while the 30+ crowd will learn to fully utilize various outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

For babies and parents

In addition to these programs, there are new offerings for “tiny tots,” children ages 1–3. Babies Can Make Music is an interactive class for children ages 2–3 that includes movement, instrument playing, and puppets. New parents can participate in Humpty Who? For Clueless Parents, a “crash course” program that focuses on nursery rhymes.

Something for seniors

Seniors also have their choice of new programs, including the AARP Tax Return Preparation Services and Balloon Volleyball, a modified version of the classic game.

Affordable fitness

“There’s not a lot of places that you can go and find something that’s affordable,” Davenport said. “Our fitness rates are affordable; our class rates are affordable…. You can get out and meet new friends, and just enjoy your community.”

Don’t wait

Registration for all winter/spring classes is now open, and residents are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

“People tend to think, when they look at the brochure, that a registration deadline means that’s the day [to] come in and register. …If there’s a program you see that you know you’ll want to participate [in], go ahead and sign up for it,” Davenport said. “Not only do you solidify your spot, but that also ensures that your program will [run] and have good attendance.”

Suggestions welcome

Although the park district currently offers a wide variety of programs, residents are always encouraged to suggest new classes that can be incorporated. Citizens can contact Oralethea Davenport in writing at the Eisenhower Center or via her email address, [email protected].

For more information on the Lan-Oak Park District and all it has to offer, visit the Eisenhower Center at 2550 178th Street in Lansing or www.lanoakparkdistrict.org.

 

Katie Arvia
Katie Arvia
Katie is a lifelong Lansing native who currently works full-time in marketing while also freelance reporting for The Lansing Journal. In 2015, she graduated with high honors from Saint Xavier University in Chicago with a BA in English, and she plans to pursue a Master's degree in the near future. Her favorite Lansing Journal assignments include coverage of TF South High School's walkout ("Demonstrating the possibilities") and her St. Patrick's Day interview with her grandma ("St. Patrick's Day traditions: reflections of an Irish granddaughter").