2000 Newsroom Archive

We're Rolling Out the Fun

New Parks and Recreation Department Launches "Funmobiles"

Sacramento, California, June 28, 2000 - For the first time in Sacramento the new City Parks and Recreation Department has launched a roving recreation van. The "Funmobiles" provide recreation activities to children who reside in neighborhoods not readily accessible to parks, schools or playgrounds. Staffed by three recreation aides, the mobile recreation van travels to predetermined neighborhoods, with each van containing equipment and supplies for a full day of fun and enjoyment for the children.

"We're so excited that we can bring our service directly to our customers - namely the children - so they can have recreational activities they would not readily have available to them," said Terri Matal, program supervisor of the Funmobiles service. "We've been wanting to do this for a long, long time. Thanks to funding from Pepsi Cola, Gifts to Share, Inc., and personal contributions by City of Sacramento employees, we're now able to make this valuable service a reality."

The Funmobiles are particularly useful during the summer months when most children are out of school seeking recreational activities. Matal also said that the Funmobiles serve to keep kids busy, active, and expand their skills. Equally important is that Funmobiles help to keep children out of mischief and harms way.

Each Funmobile is fully contained with table games, portable basketball hoop, volleyball equipment, sports net, gymnastic mats, wading pools, and arts and crafts. "If the kids can't come to our parks and recreation facilities, we'll go to them," said Kelvin Ento, program coordinator of the Funmobiles. "Our enthusiastic recreation staff will bring a vanload of equipment, supplies and FUN to neighborhoods all around Sacramento."

Funmobiles will be in the following neighborhoods at varying dates and times throughout this summer:

Ethel Phillips Elementary School, 2930 21st Avenue; Curtis Park, 3349 West Curtis Drive; Mesa Grande Park, 4325 Valley Hi Drive; North Laguna Park, 3800 Jacinto Avenue; William Land Park, 4000 Land Park Drive; Bahnfleth Park, 950 Seamas Avenue; Seymour Park, 845 Florin Road.

Natomas Oaks Park, 2230 River Plaza Drive; Gardenland Park, 3010 Bowman Avenue; Chuckwagon Park, 3420 Bridgeford Drive; and Northgate Park, 2825 Mendel Way.

B. Henschel Park, 160 45th Street; Dixieanne Park, 2415 Evergreen Street; Bell Avenue School, 1900 Bell Avenue; Taylor Street School, 4350 Taylor; Mama Marks Park, 1140 Roanoke Way.

For further information, please call the Parks and Recreation Funmobiles at (916) 566-6503.