TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
PREPARED BY: Roseann Otis, Office Assistant II - Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT:
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May-June Recreation, Activities, and Events Report
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Receive and file.
body
PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
BACKGROUND
Special Events
* May 3: Lily Kelly Ministries held a 5K around the City, ending at Chapel Coffee. For the first-time event, they had 650 runners! Kudos to them for putting on a well-organized event, which is likely to become an annual tradition.
* May 16-18: Newman Hospitality Group held a three-day Jazz and Blues Festival at Town Square Park. Blood Sweat and Tears, Janiva Magness and Los Lobos were a few of the bands that played. There was an assortment of vendors around the park as well. This was a ticketed event and included a fenced park with alcohol sales, food sales, etc.
* May 26: Memorial Day Ceremony had a few hundred attendees paid tribute to our Nation's fallen. The presentation of colors was by Murrieta Valley High School Jr. Reserve Officers' Training Corps, singing of the National Anthem by Ryan Valenzuela and invocation by Lieutenant Jake Walton, U.S. Navy Chaplain, MCI-West. In addition to Mayor Warren, the ceremony included keynote speaker Mark Johnson, Retired Superior Court Judge, Retired Colonel, U.S. Army who gave a moving address about what Memorial Day meant to him. Closing the ceremony was Mayor Warren and Mayor Pro Tem Levell laying the wreaths at the base of the obelisk. Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, juice and water were provided.
* June 7: Riverside University Health System held the One Life One Heart Poisoning and Overdose Awareness 5K in the City and on the streets around Town Square Park. The walk ended at Town Square Park with a resource fair. This was the second year this event took place at Town Square Park.
* June 14: Murrieta's 54th Father's Day Car Show was held at Cal Oaks Sports Park. Over 300 classic and specialty vehicles were on display from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Spectators enjoyed music by 1969 band. Awards will be given for Dads Top 40, Best Special Interest, Best Modern Classic, Mayors Choice, Police Chiefs Choice, Fire Chiefs Choice and Gil Losi's Best in Show Tribute Award. A new addition this year was the 'Hottest Mini Wheels' kids hot wheel car competition which had 27 kids enter their cars and named one the winner by public voting. Forty-seven trophies were given out in total. The day also had many business and food vendors. Admission was FREE!
* June 28: Murrieta's 34th Birthday Bash was held at Cal Oaks Sports Park. For the second year in a row, California Oaks Road was closed for safety. The event had 15 food vendors in the street, and many, many more business/nonprofit vendors in the park. The Firefighters Hosedown was at 4:30 p.m. Bands included ARENA: A tribute to Duran Duran and Classic Journey (a tribute to Journey). Finishing the evening was an 18-minute firework spectacular. New this year, staff posted signage to make the event an E-Bike Free Zone. With the help of Murrieta Police Department, there were less e-bikes than in the past! The Birthday Bash was very well attended, and everyone had a great time.
* July: Concerts in the Park will be held every Saturday in July at Town Square Park & Amphitheater from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The concert series began on July 5 with Those Guys, a rock/dance band. July 12 had an entertaining 80s vs 90s night. July 19 will have a special military banner retirement ceremony prior to the concert. The 2024 military banner recipients will have their banners retired and given either to the honoree or family member. Following the ceremony will be Gilligan's Island The Band, a themed party band. The concert series will end on July 26 with Rock Zone, a tribute to hard rock bands. Attendance has been outstanding with concert goers enjoying the music along with some tasty treats provided by local vendors Which Wich, Graze Craze, and Kona Ice, to name a few.
* August 2: Closing out the summer events will be the second annual Splash Bash, held at Town Square Park & Amphitheater from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Children ages 4 to 11 can have a fun filled afternoon enjoying jumpers, water games, and music. Food vendors will also be on site. This is sure to be a great time for all!
* See attachments for upcoming 2025 events.
Senior Center
* On Thursday, May 8, the Office on Aging had an information table in the lobby to answer any questions.
* On Wednesday, May 14, the Senior Center hosted its annual Ladies Tea Party. Sixty senior ladies register for this wonderful event. They enjoyed an afternoon with food, lots of flavored teas, raffles, and friends. The Rotary sponsored the tea sandwiches, and staff provided yummy, sweet treats.
* On Thursday, May 22, staff did a fun pop-up event for the seniors for National Pudding Day. The seniors had pudding cups with toppings to enjoy. Feeding America was at the Senior Center this day giving out monthly commodities to the community. There are currently 300 registered for this program.
* On Wednesday, May 28, the Senior Center had 12 ladies do Crafting with Lynn. They made spring flower boxes. The seniors always enjoy crafting and socializing during this staff-instructed event.
* On Wednesday, June 11, the Senior Center had a Father's Day celebration where staff did an ice- cream social for everyone along with fun games and raffles for the men.
* On Tuesday, June 17, the Murrieta Library hosted a free Cybersecurity Basic class for ten seniors. The seniors recognized scams they may see in emails, text messages and even with phone calls.
* The Senior Center has started a new, free class of Chair Volleyball that will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:15 a.m. The seniors have a lot of fun, and we anticipate the program will grow with more seniors coming to enjoy the fun.
* The County of Riverside offers a great program called T.R.I.P. Transportation Reimbursement and Information Project. The County came out and talked to the seniors about how to get involved and how they can get paid for driving other seniors to their different locations. We had six seniors sign up for the program.
Alternative Recreation Program (ARP)
* On Friday, May 9, ARP hosted "Pinot's Palette." Thirty-one participants painted a dragonfly field with step-by-step instructions. Music and dancing afterwards finished the night. Snacks and drinks were provided.
* On Friday, June 13, ARP hosted a "Make Believe Bonfire Bash." Fifty-seven participants enjoyed a make-believe campfire setting, made smores, and had storytelling. Snacks and drinks were provided.
Youth Center
* Registration for the 2025/2026 school year opened on June 7, 2025 and currently has 36 registered members. Fees are $32.20 for the school year but will increase in August 2025.
Summer Camp
* The Youth Center offers 7 weeks of camp from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for children ages 5-12. The cost is $160.00 per week. Extended hours are now available from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
for an additional $20.00 per week.
Session 1: June 9-13, registration 67/80 - Water Jumpers at the Youth Center
Session 2: June 16-20, registration 90/80 - Walking excursion to Mulligan
Session 3: June 23-27, registration 81/80 - Walking excursion to Reading Cinemas, movie Elio
Session 4: July 7-11, registration 89/80 - Water Jumpers at the Youth Center
Session 5: July 14-18, registration 83/80 - Walking excursion to Bowlero
Session 6: July 21-25, registration 82/80 - LLL Reptile presentation at the Youth Center
Session 7: July 28-August 1, registration 76/80 - Touch-A-Truck, Murrieta Fire Department visit to the Youth Center
Youth Alternative Recreation Program
* Youth ARP, like the successful adult ARP, is designed for children aged 5-12 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program fosters socialization and engagement through a variety of interactive activities, including themed parties, games, crafts, and peer interactions. Hosted the 2nd Friday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The next event will be August 8, with five participants registered so far.
Little Learners
* Little Learners Dual Language is an inclusive program for 3-5-year-olds that offers an introduction to the English and Spanish languages. The program develops basic building blocks for later academic achievement while learning through playtime, art, music, and storytelling. Classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Copper Canyon Park classroom. The cost is $208.60 per month. Interest in the program continues to grow. July's session is on-going, with 8 children registered.
Adult Sports
* Advertising for adult sports for the fall season will begin on July 11 to August 10 for soccer, softball, kickball, and pickleball.
Allocations
* The second biannual allocation meeting was held on Thursday, July 17, for the fall 2025 season.
Aquatics
* Registration for summer swimming classes are now live. All the information can be found on the city website under the aquatics page.
o Season is as follows:
Saturday, June 7, through Sunday, August 10. Regular Schedule: Saturday to Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Modified Schedule: Weekends only, from Monday, August 11, to Sunday, September 28
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Recreation, Activities, and Events Report Pictures
2. 2025 Special Events List
3. Concerts in the Park Flyer
4. Splash Bash Flyer
5. Youth Center Flyer
6. Summer Camp Flyer
7. Little Learners Flyer
8. Adult Sports Flyers
9. Aquatics Flyers