Celebrate Park and Recreation Month!

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the essential and powerful role local park and recreation professionals play in building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities all across the country and here in Mammoth Lakes. This July, we are bringing attention to how important it is to rise up and support the field of parks and recreation, because every day, park and recreation professionals rise up for their communities in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes Parks and Recreation Department is leading initiatives and providing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and identities to achieve healthier lifestyles, promote and understand nature and environmental resilience, as well as bringing the community closer through a variety of programs and services. Join us for FREE swim days at the Whitmore Pool, the annual beach volleyball tournament at Shady Rest Park, Men’s and Coed Softball tournament at Shady Rest Park and register for any of our signature or contracted parks and recreation summer camps.

The Summer of Awesomeness is Underway!

This week we hosted the popular Adventure Camp, Aquatics Camp and the lads from UK International Soccer hosted all ages at Shady Rest Park. Next week, the Wave Rave Skate Camp takes center stage with campers visiting our 3 skate parks in the Eastern Sierra.

The following camps still have availability:

Grade TK-1 Wave Rave Camp Session II and Youtheater Camp: We only have a couple spots left in each of these camps. This is a unique opportunity to register for one of our stellar camps if you are a bit late to the game. Click here to register!

UK International Soccer Camps: AM Half Day (6-14 years), Full Day and PM Half Day (7-14 years) and Mini Camps (5-6 years) available for the following camp: July 25-29. Click here to register. If you register on July 3 or 4, using the code JULY4TH, you will save $17.

Challenger Sports Soccer Camps: AM Half Day (6-14 years), Full Day and PM Half Day (8-14 years) and Tiny Tykes Camps (3-5 years) available for the following camps: July 11-15 and August 1-5. Click here to register.

Playwell TEKnologie STEM LEGO® Camps: Minecraft STEM with LEGO® (August 8-12) for ages 6-11 years. Click here to register.

All our camps, including our soccer and LEGO® partner camps, are supported by the Tony Colasardo Scholarship Fund. If you need financial assistance to participate in one of our great programs, we are delighted to help you. Please don’t allow financial restrictions to be a barrier that keeps you from joining us this summer. For questions, please contact Doug Gebhart at (760) 965-3699.

Help Keep Our Kids Safe & Our Parks Clean this Summer!

For this summer camp season, Parks and Recreation is staging all of their camps at Shady Rest Park. Parks and Recreation have previously utilized the Mammoth RecZone for staging summer camps, so this is a big change for the department and the many parents who will be dropping-off and collecting their children from the park. Please help us keep our kids safe this summer at Shady Rest Park by observing the following:

• Obey all speed signs
• Slow down in the parking lot
• Watch for children on bicycles, skateboards, scooters, etc.
• Keep your dog on a leash
• Pick-up and dispose of your dog’s waste

Thank you for your commitment in keeping Shady Rest Park safe for our kids to enjoy!

Softball is back at Shady Rest Park!

The Coed and Men’s Slow Pitch Softball League is underway at Shady Rest Park! Please email or call the Parks and Recreation Department at (760) 965-3690 for information on our most popular adult summer program. How is your team doing? Check out the standings and schedules for the CoEd League and Men’s League!

FREE Swim Sunday’s this July!

The Whitmore Pool is OPEN for public swim 7-days a week through August 28, 2022 (weather permitting). Join us for FREE swim Sunday’s on July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Please visit the Whitmore Pool website, follow us on Facebook or call the Parks and Recreation Department at (760) 965-3690 for the complete summer schedule, fees and lesson programs, including the AM/PM lap swim schedule. Don’t want to click, no problem, call the pool directly at (760) 965-3692.

Park, Facilities and Trails Update

Please click here to view the status of our parks, facilities, MUP’s and sidewalks. Please respect our parks and facilities by taking care of your trash, pick-up after your pet and keep your dog on a leash. Thank you!

Community Recreation Center (CRC) Update

Hamel Contracting Inc. and the subcontractor, JT2/Craft were back on site this week – with the two cranes to install more of the prefabricated Sprung beams. Once the crews complete the erection of 11 of the 24 large arches, they will install the fabric membrane through the building’s aluminum frame then horizontally stretch and tension the fabric with a 10-ton hydraulic jack and ram. Finally, the crew will install cable bracing and plumb the aluminum arches. Once the membrane is tensioned, it will not need to be re-tensioned throughout the duration of its lifespan. Look for the weekly #crcupdates on the Town’s Facebook page. Temporary park closure: For the duration of construction for the new Community Recreation Center, the Mammoth Creek Park playground, restrooms and parking lot will be CLOSED to the public.

Inyo National Forest Wishes Visitors a Safe Independence Day

Celebrating July 4 festivities outdoors is a time-honored tradition throughout the United States, and the Inyo National Forest is happy to welcome so many outdoor enthusiasts this upcoming weekend. As you gather and explore please remember that fireworks and pyrotechnics are prohibited on public lands – every forest, every campsite, every day.

More than 90 percent of all wildland fires are human caused. This, coupled with drier than normal conditions, increases the odds of forest fires igniting. Across the Inyo National Forest, vegetation moisture levels have been dropping rapidly, and just this week the Southern California Geographic Area went to Preparedness Level 3. To ensure a fun weekend, check the Inyo National Forest’s website for important alerts on sites and trails. Have backup destinations in mind in case an area is closed or overcrowded.

Remember, fire restrictions are in effect on the Inyo National Forest. Campfires are now only permitted in designated, developed campgrounds listed Exhibit A and Recreation Residences/Pack Stations/Range Permittees and Resorts listed in Exhibit B. As always, the USDA Forest Service reminds everyone visiting a national forest to recreate responsibly to prevent wildfires – including noting fire restrictions, carrying tools to extinguish a flame, and reporting fires by calling 911.

Volunteers Needed!

Mammoth Lakes Recreation is involved with and supports several local stewardship programs and encourages you to do the same! There’s plenty of work to be done to keep our town, trails, and waterways clean and well maintained, and plenty of ways to be involved. Minimal commitment is required, but the rewards are supreme! Each of the programs below offer a way for residents, second home-owners and visitors to join the team and take part in keeping our outdoor recreation sustainable. Learn more about: Trashy Thursdays, Adopt-a-Trail, Summer of Stewardship and Tangle Free Waters.

Fire Restrictions in The Eastern Sierra

Effective Monday, June 6, 2022 the Inyo National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office implemented fire restrictions on all Federal lands under their jurisdiction. Seasonal fire restrictions for the Eastern Sierra Region are being implemented in close coordination with other state and local county agencies. The following restrictions will be in place on both agency lands:

• No Campfires, briquette/charcoal barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of agency-provided fire rings or barbeques at designated developed recreation sites. Dispersed campfires such as rock rings, will no longer be allowed.
• No Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter barren of all flammable materials.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion engines off designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).

Please Leash Your Dog!

While enjoying beautiful Shady Rest Park or the sensational views at the Sherwins Trailhead, please leash your dog and leave no trace! Trash bins are provided, along with complimentary doggie bags so please keep your dog on a leash, pick up your dogs waste AND put it in the trash bin. It is unlawful for any dog owner to allow their dog to run at large within the Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Boundary. All dogs shall be kept securely fastened by a chain, rope, or leash unless securely confined within private property legally controlled by the owner of the dog. We encourage responsible dog ownership while visiting these high-use areas by adhering to the Town Municipal Code below. Thank you for your commitment in keeping Mammoth Lakes safe and beautiful for all to enjoy! Learn more about Dog Resources, Licensing, Education and Enforcement.

Snowcreek Golf Course Opens Friday, July 1

The scenically stunning 9-hole Snowcreek golf course opens for the season this Friday, July 1 at 10am. The course will be opening at 10am for a few days until further course maintenance can be completed. The Driving Range is OPEN daily from 8am to 6:30pm. Contact the Pro Shop at (760) 934-6633 for information or to reserve a tee time.

Sierra Cycle Challenge

This challenge is Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s biggest fundraiser of the summer! Riders are asked to to cycle 200 miles over the course of 14 days (July 18-31), from ANYWHERE! Each rider who signs up will raise critical funds to support adaptive recreation in the Eastern Sierra. For more information, please click here.

Zumba Classes

Zumba classes are back at the Mammoth Lakes Community Center every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday night, from 7-8pm. Join Coach Denisse, and get you burn and dance on at the same time! Only $10 per class.

Latin Night at Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl

Kids Karaoke at the Village

Open Mic Mondays

Mindful Movement Sessions at the Hayden Cabin

Mindful Movement sessions are a creative blend of breath, yoga, core qi gong, meditation and so much more, held every Tuesday from 3pm-4pm in the beautiful outdoor space of the Hayden Cabin. FREE to the community.

Mono County Wellness Program Schedule

Click here for information about the Mammoth Lakes program schedule for May – Mental Health Awareness Month.

Clubhouse Live

• Tuesdays 1:00-4:00pm
• Sierra Wellness Center, 181 Sierra Manor Road #4, Mammoth Lakes
• Summer hang time for middle and high school aged individuals. Snacks, games, adventures and more.

Yoga and Guided Meditation

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:30-2:45pm
• Shady Rest Park
• Bring a towel or yoga mat and relax your mind and body.

Sunday Senior Doughnut Drop-In

• Sundays 8:00-9:30am
• Various Locations Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, community, and conversation on Sunday mornings.

Open Space Hang

• Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00pm
• Sierra Wellness Center, 181 Sierra Manor Road #4, Mammoth Lakes
• Join us for a sober evening of games, music, and community.

LBGTQIA+ Potluck – 2nd Tuesday of each month

• Sierra Wellness Center, 181 Sierra Manor Road #4, Mammoth Lakes
• Gather, meet, support, and eat!

Parents of LBGTQIA+ Support Group – 3rd Tuesday of each month 

• Sierra Wellness Center, 181 Sierra Manor Road #4, Mammoth Lakes
• Parents of LBGTQIA+ children gather for support, community, and learning.

Free Well Being App

Get evidence-based self-help resources for emotional health and overall well-being from your smart phone or computer with a free subscription to MyStrength. Visit www.mystrength.com and use the access code MONO. Subscriptions limited, expires February 2023.

CSA#1 – FREE Community Summer Classes! 

The community of Crowley Lake is now offering complimentary summer community recreation classes at the Crowley Lake Community Center. For more information, please visit the Crowley Lake Neighborhood Facebook pageor contact Isabel at (760) 935-4089 to be added to the mailing list.

Mammoth Hospital

Mammoth Hospital CARES – And We Care About Your Input!

Mammoth Hospital has launched “Join the Conversation” – to get YOUR feedback on local healthcare needs and priorities. Join the Conversation today by clicking here.

Elevate Mammoth

Mono Arts Council

Mosaic Camp 

Come create colorful mosaic artwork with Kristi Day.
Date: July 11-13
Price: $75
Register/information: https://www.monoarts.org/summer-camps

Dancing through the Decades

Explore different genres of dance, music and props as we go through the decades. Hosted by Allyson Tapley
Date: July 18-22
Price: $75
Register/information: https://www.monoarts.org/summer-camps 

Mammoth Lakes Library

Storytime and Reading Challenge

In addition to our weekly Facebook Live Storytimes on Wednesdays at 10:30am and in Spanish alternate Fridays at 10:30am on Mammoth Lakes Library’s Facebook page.

Makerspace and MonoBookBox Program

The library continues to offer free all-ages seasonal Makerspace Kits and Activity Zines for pick up at the front desk, along with Storytime To Go bags for young families at Mammoth Lakes Library. School age kids can still sign up for a few remaining slots in our winter MonoBookBox Program and high school age teens can participate in our Evolution of Storytelling Project  which includes free journaling boxes and zine-making kits and this season adds in-house use of iPads for digital story creation and recording equipment for oral history/podcast style storytelling.  Adults can take advantage of our Drop-In Sewing Machine Time at the 2nd floor Makerspace every Wednesday from 2:30-4:30pm. Additional information: monocolibraries.org.

News Staff