Recreation And Parks

As Anne Arundel County's recreation and parks director for 7 1/2 years, Dennis Callahan says he's become a fan of the cheerleaders who attend numerous recreation events. But he says it's bothered him that while the parents always watched intently, many others didn't seem to pay attention. "I thought it was just about time that we recognize these athletes for what they are - athletes," Callahan said. Callahan pushed for the county Recreation and Parks Department to categorize cheerleading as a sport, and he was a driving force of the partnership between the county and the Anne Arundel Youth Cheerleading Association.

SUMMER BRINGS changes in just about everyone's schedule, especially if you have school-age kids. If you haven't enrolled your pride and joy in a summer program, you still have time.The county Department of Recreation and Parks will be sponsoring summer activity centers again this year. Centers for children in kindergarten through sixth grade will be at George Fox Middle and Bodkin, High Point, Jacobsville, Lake Shore, Solley and Sunset elementary schools.The program runs from 8 a.m to 2: 30 p.m. on weekdays from June 28 through Aug. 6. The cost is $130.

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will hold its Spring Egg Hunt, for children ages 2 through fifth grade, from 10 a.m. to noon April 8 at Schooley Mill Park or Laurel Woods Elementary School. Participants should take a basket to collect the eggs. Games and activities are also planned. The cost is $5 a child or $15 a family. Registration is required. Information or registration: 410-313-7275; text telephone, 410-313-4665. Or www.co.ho.md. us/RAP. In case of inclement weather: 410-313-4452 after 7 a.m. Historical society to plan Savage Fest The Savage Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Faith & Ministry Center, 9032 Baltimore St. . Those who attend should use the side entrance, off Foundry Street.

THE APPOINTMENT OF a task force to assess the Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks and find ways to bring it more revenue is overdue acknowledgment of that agency's dire straits. Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke admits that city officials drafting the last two budgets realized the department would "dwindle to a level of mediocrity" unless steps were taken to prevent it.But the department continued to take budget hits, including a $1 million cut this year. Not only is the survival of neighborhood recreation centers threatened, but also maintenance of some of the best urban parks in the nation.

A city-owned playground in the Harwood neighborhood of North Baltimore that was substantially damaged in a fire last month and recently drew the attention of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will be rebuilt, according to city officials. A claim to replace the damaged parts of the playground was filed with the city's Office of Risk Management by the Department of Recreation and Parks, which operates the playground and about 100 others like it throughout the city, shortly after the fire occurred on Aug. 13, according to Gwendolyn Chambers, a recreation and parks spokeswoman.

Dog lovers admit to sometimes doing crazy things in the name of love - baking their own homemade canine biscuits, dressing their pets in costumes and occasionally even serenading them. So when they arrived at a pool party for dogs yesterday at the Roger Carter Recreation Center pool in Ellicott City, they didn't hesitate to jump right in with their pooches. "He's like our child," said Vince Pasko, a financier from Woodstock, as he tried to coax his Australian shepherd, Kia, to jump off the diving board by whispering encouragement: "You can do it. Come on, Kia."

Richard Soisson, whose name has been synonymous with recreation and parks in Carroll County for three decades, is retiring, after building much good will with state and county officials and thousands of volunteers. Soisson has overseen construction totaling millions of dollars in county parks and recreational projects. He has worked with volunteers to build programs and persistently, but gently, pushed officials for funds that would enhance the quality of life for county residents. He has helped build one of the few public firearms ranges in Maryland and convert an aging movie theater into a lively Arts Council headquarters.

It might not be as impressive as the labyrinth at Cnossus, but the 6.7-acre maze cut out of a 10-acre cornfield in Glenwood in vTC Howard County is considerably more cheerful than the underground paths that led so many to their doom at the hands of the mythical Minotaur in ancient Crete.Here, children run between the cornrows, and the atmosphere is downright festive."This way or that way?""Are you sure?"A birthday party troops past."We're just doing this for fun," a mother says. "Careful of the people, please!"

The administrative headquarters of the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks will relocate to 1 Harry S. Truman Parkway, off Riva Road in Annapolis, as of tomorrow.The new mailing address will be P.O. Box 6675, Annapolis 21401.Information: 222-7300.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks was recently awarded the Maryland Recreation and Parks/American Society of Landscape Architects Park and Recreation Landscape Site Award for the landscape design of Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.The department received a commemorative plaque, which will be displayed at the Quiet Waters Park Visitors Center.