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BISBEE — The city’s youth have been her concern since she first started with the Public Works Department three years ago.
Caroline Gonzales, Bisbee’s events and recreation coordinator, was once one of those kids who found there just wasn’t enough to do in Bisbee.
“I was bored out of my mind in the summer,” she remembered.
When she first started with the city as an public works office assistant, she remembered the endless summer hours and began thinking of what more the city could do to keep kids from turning into couch potatoes, whether it be in front of the TV or a computer monitor.
 Caroline Gonzales stands in Bisbee City Park recently. Gonzales is the events and recreation coordinator for Bisbee City Parks. (Mark Levy•Herald/Review) |
“We have a problem with childhood obesity nationwide. The more activities kids have to keep them moving and doing things, the more likely they will maintain a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
It wasn’t long after she started with the city that new duties were assigned to her — managing events and recreation activities.
“I liked the extra duties. I am continually striving to learn more.”
Now at 33, with three children of her own, Gonzales, who seems to have boundless energy, found she has even more impetus to provide activities for kids, as well as Bisbee’s adults.
She built up the city’s pool program, the summer basketball program for adults and teens and moved on to create new programs.
She developed the Get Active kids program for children 5 years old and older that is held at City Park.
The free program encourages fitness, self esteem, confidence, team-building, creativity and social skills.
To keep things fun and diverse, she developed a jump rope club and a Polynesian dance class that works in harmony with her goals to get kids out of the house. So far, she has 32 youngsters involved who like the program.
If it rains or is just too hot, activities are moved into the store fronts beneath the park. Once used for city storage, the City Council granted her request to take over the space for programs for kids.
“The kids love it, but it would be nice to have more kids participate. I am proud of the program and I hope to expand it even more next year,” Gonzales said.
The basketball program, held at the high school, provides not only an activity for 60 teens and adults, but also the chance to compete. That program is open to all in Cochise County. A Sierra Vista team has joined in the fun.
“The high school basketball team loves to play the older guys. And it keeps up their skills in the summer months.”
The swim club also provides more than exercise. It provides sportsmanship and social skills. The Bisbee teams compete in swim meets with teams from nearby cities such as Douglas and Sierra Vista.
Gonzales was instrumental in bringing the new water slide to the Bisbee Municipal Pool, which again she hoped would draw more kids. A snack bar was opened to provide drinks and snacks.
“We could use more lifeguards,” she added. “Safety is our number one priority. But it seems being a lifeguard isn’t that popular anymore. We need to have 11 people total for the pool. On the slow days we only have one lifeguard on duty, but other times like during the swim meets and the swim classes, we should have two or three.”
In the summer months, when the Boys & Girls Club of Bisbee keeps shorter hours, she tries to offer a place for those kids to go so they aren’t left at home alone.
There is also a football clinic that lets kids find out firsthand if they really want to play the physical sport. The Bisbee High School football coach and team will be helping with that.
“I try to partner with people to bring them in on a project. When we all work together for the kids, it creates a stronger, more lasting program. Something everyone can look forward to.”
Her newest idea, which is still on the drawing board, is Kids 2 Nature, which would be outdoor activities that teach them about the flora and fauna in the world around them. Arizona Parks and Recreation calls the program NCLI (No Child Left Inside).
“They can learn about the wildlife here in Bisbee. I’m also thinking of including a youth garden.”
She has spent hours learning all she can so she can develop a strong program and have it be successful. Maybe next year, she says.
“I just have to try different things until something clicks. We should have as many activities as possible so that we draw as many of them as possible.”
Her biggest dream is to have a community sports park, a place that has ball diamonds and soccer fields and maybe even a community center.
The plan was to build on city-owned land behind Safeway, but the City Council has other plans for the land in spite of some community support for the new park.
Still, she holds onto her labor of love — the study is on the need for another large park in Bisbee and its plan.
“We only have 0.91 acres of park per resident. The state average is 20.5 acres per person. I’m never going to give it up. Not when so many residents and organizations support it.”
She envisions a partnership with some of the town’s sports leagues to help maintain the new park.
“This can be a successful community effort.”
She also works to help people and organizations with their requests to use the city parks and streets for various events from family birthday parties to the city’s Fourth of July celebration.
Everything, including event insurance, must be in order before the requests go before the council for approval.
“I contact all the emergency services that may be involved — the police department, fire department.
“And some of the events require staff from public works, so all that has to be arranged.”
And speaking of the Fourth of July, Gonzales is continuing the holiday celebration on July 5 with the showing of the movie “The Sandlot” and a kids talent show in City Park.
“We can make a difference in the lives of the children here. And that’s my goal — truly.”
To Mr. Giacomino wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:16 PM: