Inside Malibu's Winter Recreation Guide: Dogs, Kids and Seniors

MALIBU, CA — The City of Malibu recently released their 2022 Winter Recreation Guide, and locals are already showing up with impressive enrollment numbers for after school programs.

The winter guide is one of four seasonal recreation guides produced by the city every year: winter, spring, summer and fall. Since the pandemic started, the guides have been all digital to account for changing COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, said Kate Gallo, Recreation Manager for the city. Even still, the 2022 winter guide has already seen massive community interest.

"For it being completely digital, I'm actually extremely impressed with how it's been received by the community," Gallo said.

Nearly 75 percent of the programming in the guide has met minimum enrollment requirements, meaning they are guaranteed to run, Gallo said. This excludes senior programming, though, which generally fills up with in person and phone registration.

All the programming in the guide is organized by the Community Services Department, some in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club Malibu. The guide also gives a rundown of other city departments' updates and programming, including hazardous and e-waste waste recycling days and the city's new organic waste recycling program.

Winter Programming Highlights

The city has seen a lot of interest in their basketball program, which will run from Dec. 4 to Feb. 5. This is the first time the city is bringing back the beloved program since the pandemic started, and locals are really excited, Gallo said.

The winter guide includes programming for Malibu dogs for the first time ever. The city will offer a canine scent class Wednesdays from Feb. 16 and March 9. In the class, dogs will learn how to identify scents, communicate them to their handler and follow them.

"Of all the classes that I see in the guide, that one stands out to me. It's new, it's something we've never done and its not something I see in a lot of other parks and recreation agencies. you. a lot of times see the dog agility or obedience [classes] so I'm actually really excited for us to do something for the dogs in 2022," Gallo said.

The city will also be expanding its dial-a-ride service for seniors and people with disabilities to provide rides into Agoura Hills and Calabasas.

The Spring Guide

The city's spring recreation guide, which will cover the months of March through May, will be the first printed version since the pandemic started. The undertaking will involve 12,000 printed brochures and guides mailed to Malibu residents, Gallo said.

With better weather, the spring guide will also come with more outdoor activities, Gallo said.