Recreation And Parks

The Elkridge Senior Center held a Sock Hop Pizza Party Wednesday, sponsored by the county Department of Recreation and Parks, for those age 55 and older. The event, which had a 1950s theme, also included the Owen Brown Senior Center.

I am extremely happy about the attention the press and citizens of Baltimore are devoting to the city's trees. The Sun's editorial ("Standing up for city trees" Aug 15) accurately highlights the crisis we face in increasing Baltimore's tree canopy while at the same time reconciling large budget cuts and promoting economic development. Upon my arrival this year I was briefed on the city's tree plan with the Grand Prix organization, and I agree it can be a win-win for both parties.

About 25 people protested the city's anticipated overhaul of the Department of Recreation and Parks yesterday, while parks officials called on employees to pull together during the department's budget crisis.Though Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke has pledged to continue operating all 58 of the city's recreation centers through the summer, protesters said they feared services would be drastically reduced in the fall.The city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 calls on recreation and parks to cut its budget by $5.4 million.

Money sought to build tennis courtsCounty Recreation and Parks Director Richard J. Soisson said he will ask the county commissioners to spend about $60,000 to build two more tennis courts at Francis Scott Key High School.Area residents have asked for more courts, he told the Recreation and Parks Board Wednesday night. The school has three courts, which students and residents use, he said.A few years ago, the commissioners agreed to spend $90,000 to build the additional courts, but the project was delayed when the fiscal crisis hit the county, Mr. Soisson said.

The Rouse Co. has transferred a 1,000-acre parcel known as the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area to Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks -- the department's largest acquisition.Recreation and Parks director Jeffrey Bourne yesterday confirmed that the transfer took place April 26. The land will become a managed wildlife refuge.The transfer of the land -- between the main part of Columbia and River Hill village -- will cost the county about $1.8 million. Some of that will be paid with a $205,500 grant from the state's Project Open Space.

Russell Neal, who set up games and passed out balloons, lollipops and other treats for the Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks, died Monday at the Brighton Manor Nursing Home of complications from diabetes.Services for Mr. Neal, who was 65 and lived on Duvall Avenue, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Ames Memorial United Methodist Church, Baker and Carey streets.He was nicknamed "Ham" because of a childhood fondness for the food.He served in the Army in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.He is survived by two sons, William H. and Steven Neal, both of Baltimore; four daughters, Violetta Neal Leonard of Randallstown, Stephanie Neal of Towson, Janice Maith of Baltimore and Zelda Neal of New York City; two sisters, Martha McCready and Juanita Ross, both of Baltimore; and five grandchildren.

The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Orioles will hold the 41st annual Baseball Clinic of Stars on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Lansdowne High School rec center. The clinic begins with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and will include an instructional clinic run by Orioles scout Jim Gilbert and staff, beginning at 9: 20. Tickets are $5 and are on sale at the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks regional offices. Contact the Southwest Area Office at 410-887-1071 for the nearest regional office.

William A. Rinehart, a 31-year year county recreation and parks employee, has been named director of the department.Rinehart, of Harwood, had been acting director since April 1, when he replaced Joseph McCann, who announced his resignation to take a job in the private sector.Rinehart, 55, joined the department in 1961, began his career as a recreation supervisor and had been parks administrator since 1965.He was acting director of recreation and parks during the transition to a charter form of county government from 1963 to 1964.

THERE WAS speculation when Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke appointed a task force to review Baltimore's Recreation and Parks Department that it would recommend new leadership for the agency. Although it stopped short of doing that, its report is so critical of Marlyn J. Perritt, director of recreation and parks since 1991, that the mayor should swiftly decide whether city residents would be better served by replacing her.As has become typical in recent years, Mr. Schmoke is once again considering huge cuts in the Recreation and Parks Department budget to help offset the city's declining revenue.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks is selling 1996 vehicle entrance permits.The permits, which are valid immediately, cost $20 and give access to Downs Park on Mountain Road in Pasadena and Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.Permits may be purchased at the gatehouses and offices of each park.Information: Downs, 222-6230; Quiet Waters, 222-1777.