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with Parks & Rec Director
BJ Staab
Tis the Season - Happy Holidays to everyone! December is a great month to celebrate with family and friends while also reflecting on the past year. Liberty Parks & Rec has had a lot to celebrate in 2022 in large part to all of you.
Check out some holiday activities, programs and volunteer opportunities in this newsletter and we will continue to work toward Liberty being a great place to live, work and play in 2023!
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Cheers to 35 Years!
After 35 years of working for Liberty Parks & Rec, Assistant Director, Donna Kay (DK) Taylor will be retiring on Dec. 15. We are both happy for her and sad for us as she has been a staple of LPR and helped build the Department to where we are today.
DK has held four positions starting as Secretary from 1987-1992, Administrative Aide from 1992-1999, Liberty Community Center Manager 2000-2017 and Assistant Director - Recreation 2017 - 2022.
When we asked DK about some highlights along the way, here is what she said:
Many! Let’s see if I can narrow it down…
- So many wonderful friendships made throughout the 35 years with the City of Liberty
- Hopefully making a positive impact on LPR staff and the Liberty community
- February 17, 1992 – opening of the Liberty Community Center
- Obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from William Jewell College – 2002
- January – September 2003 – Project Manager for the Expansion of the Liberty Community Center
- June 14, 2004 - Working with the Secret Service for George W. Bush's visit.
Join us for DK's retirement party on Dec. 15 from 2-4 p.m. at the Liberty Community Center to thank her for all of her hard work and wish her the best during retirement.
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Join the City of Liberty and Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. for Hometown Holidays and the Mayor's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Family Activities - 2-5 p.m.
- Pictures with Santa
- Crafts with Lost Arts
- Games
- Face painting
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NEW - Holiday Treat Tour - Pick up a map and use it to travel around downtown Liberty, stop in participating businesses and get some holiday goodies! Treats will range from holiday snacks and beverages, toys and stickers, and s'mores kits to roast at the fire pits! Treats are limited - goodies will be given out to the first 150 people at each participating business.
Mayor's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - 5:15 p.m.
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The Liberty Community Christmas Tree (LCCT) Program is designed to lend a hand to families and older adults who are facing a difficult holiday season. This year, 355 families with a total of 880 children and 130 senior citizen households applied for the program. It’s not too late to jump in and help!
Ways you can still help this year:
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Bring nonperishable food to Heritage Hall between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5. All 485 homes who applied for assistance will receive three boxes of donated food.
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Donate monetarily. Each volunteer was given a $60 gift card to use to shop for gifts for the children. The LCCT Commission also purchases some perishable food items to give to each family.
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Help deliver food to seniors. Simply show up to Heritage Hall between 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 and let the LCCT member know you're there to deliver food to a senior. From there, the we will give you the address (or two!) and load up your car. Volunteers are able to swing back through and deliver to as many seniors as they wish. This year, we anticipate delivering to more than 80 seniors.
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Community Garden Build Day
It may be December, but we're already thinking about gardening! Liberty Parks & Rec (LPR) is looking for a few volunteers to help expand the Community Garden at Ruth Moore Park on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 1-4 p.m.
LPR received a Sprout Grant from Kansas City Community Gardens, which will allow us to double the size of the current garden and add to the Giving Grove. We will be building new beds, doing a general clean-up and preparing the garden for winter. LPR will provide necessary tools and gloves.
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Winter Break Fun
Liberty Parks & Rec is excited to offer Winter Splash Camp! This five day youth day camp at the Liberty Community Center (LCC) will help keep your kids busy and active during Winter break. As part of our Splash Camp Series, activities include swimming, games, gym sports, movies and more.
- December 26-30, 2022
- 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Extended Care is available:
- 7-8 a.m. - $3 per day
- 4-6 p.m. - $5 per day
- Liberty Community Center
- Grades K-5 (ages 5-11)
Registration Details
Send your camper for all five days or pick and choose the days that work better for you. LCC Member and Non-Member rates apply.
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$35 per day for LCC Member
- $39 per day for non-member
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Because swimming is an aerobic exercise, it serves to strengthen the heart, not only helping it to become larger, but making it more efficient in pumping -- which leads to better blood flow throughout your body. - Center for Disease Control
The Liberty Community Center offers water aerobics, swimming lessons for all ages and lap swim in the indoor pool that can help you get that blood pumping this winter! Monthly memberships and day passes are available so come check it out!
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Employee Spotlight - Sara!
If you have been to the Liberty Community Center in the early mornings you have probably been greeted with a warm welcome from Sara followed by "have a great day" when you leave. Recently, Sara was promoted to Operations and Membership Services Coordinator and we couldn't be more excited to have her here full-time.
Here is a little bit about Sara from Sara:
I have worked for Liberty Parks & Rec for what will be 5 years in March 2023. I started with the Customer Care Team working evenings and Sundays until I took over the early morning welcome desk a little more than a year a half ago. In September, I was promoted to Operations and Membership Services Coordinator, handling various office duties, membership services and scholarships. I have a second job working for a few local event spaces.
Prior to working for LPR I worked for KCPD for 8 years in the 90’s then I spent 17 years with Southwestern Bell Telephone/AT&T. I am married with 3 daughters, 1 son, 3 step-sons and 3 grandkids. I have 2 Papillion dogs named Aria and Tyrion. When I’m not working, I like to spend time with family, roller skate and run. I’m a big fan of Star Wars, Marvel and the Kansas Jayhawks.
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Coed Adult Volleyball League
Gather your friends and start forming your team for LPR's coed adult volleyball league. Registration is open and this season will feature 8 games followed by a single elimination tournament for the top 5 teams in each division.
Games start Jan. 11 - Mar. 8, 2023
- Wednesdays
- Coed B - Competitive
- Coed C - Recreational
- Adults ages 18 and older
- Registration deadline is Jan. 4, 2023
- Full team registration only
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Join the Snow Squad
We are looking for Snow Squad Volunteers to shovel for our Meals on Wheels homebound seniors.
- Volunteers will be paired up with one home. Perhaps you'd want to volunteer as a group and get a few friends/coworkers/church members/neighbors on your Snow Squad team.
- The volunteer coordinator will do their best to pair you with a home as close to your home as possible.
- Snow accumulating over 2 inches should be removed 24-48 hours after snowfall has stopped.
- Volunteers provide their own shovels.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Hailey Kellerstrass by email or call 816-439-4398.
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Stay Connected and Informed During Winter Weather
The safety of our patrons is important to us and we will make every effort to keep you informed of facility closures and program cancellations due to weather this season.
Please stay up to date on cancellations through the following communication channels:
- Call our weather hotline at 816.735.4700
- Sign up to receive emails or text alerts from our Rainout Line
- download the FREE Rainout Line app for instant notification of any cancellations.
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Liberty Parks & Rec Website
- Call the Liberty Community Center at 816.439.4360
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Follow the City of Liberty on Facebook
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Liberty Community Center Holiday Hours
- Saturday, Dec. 24 : 8 a.m - 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 25 : Closed
- Saturday, Dec. 31 : 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 : Closed
For both holidays, the following apply:
- The indoor pool will be available for open swim
- No group ex classes from Dec. 24, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023
- Child watch will be closed
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2023 Winter/Spring Swim Lessons
Learning to swim is an important life skill at any age. Develop swimming competency, confidence and endurance in a safe and fun environment. Liberty Parks & Rec offers a variety of group swim lessons available on either Monday and Wednesday, Tuesday and Thursday or Saturday.
Registration for winter/spring sessions will open Monday, Dec. 5 and will be offered monthly January - May.
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