Parks And Rec Department Hit With Participation Decline

DEDHAM, MA — There aren't as many kids taking part in the Dedham Recreation Department’s program than in past years, according to a new report.

In her report at this week’s parks and recreation commission meeting, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Debbie Anderson revealed that in fiscal year 2013, there were 2,597 participants compared to fiscal year 2017’s total of 1,949.

While many programs’ enrollment numbers have remained even with last year, swim lessons are up, swim and gym has increased, and tennis has seen a decrease due to a move to the evening. Anderson said the move was due to the heat on the courts in the afternoon.

“These numbers scare me. They are in constant decline in the bulk of the categories. Some are going up but not enough. There’s a big problem we need to figure out,” Commissioner Chuck Dello Iacono said.

Commissioner Salvatore Ledda said he felt the decline was due to the more choices offered to kids, telling the board that other towns are having similar issues.

“You have various clubs, a 100 times more clubs than when my kids went to school. I think the numbers would be faltering no matter what we would be doing,” Ledda said.

Commission Chairman Jim Maher said he has not seen any advertisements for the fall programs, which start in two weeks. Iacono said it has been a goal to get advertisements out for the programs three months in advance.

“If it hasn’t been done, then (department Director Bob Stanley) and Debbie need to sit down because if we don’t blast those fall numbers, we’re in trouble,” Iacono said.

Iacono added that he would like to see a plan to address the declining numbers at the next meeting.

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