COVID-19: Santa Maria Rec and Parks Department seeks alternative activities due to canceled youth programs during pandemic

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The City of Santa Maria is trying to fill the gap left by after school programs that were canceled due to the pandemic.

Santa Marians take pride in their Olympic-size community pool.

"Paul Nelson is near and dear to my heart because my husband and I have been swimming here for years ... so I think this is a great way to get people out ... and the pool should be open," said swimmer India Furber.

And it is open - but only for lap swimming which has been fully booked almost every day.

"We’ve canceled so many programs during the course of this pandemic. Right now we’re really focusing on what we can do so we’re continuing with our nature hikes and our active programs in the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center," said Dennis Smitherman with the Recreation and Parks Department.

Some of the programs that were canceled include the Safe and Strong after school programs in the park as well as youth sports.

"All of our outdoor activities where kids can congregate, we’re not able to do those right now," said Smitherman.

Since so many youth programs have been canceled, managers with the Rec and Parks Department are hoping to find more alternative activities during the pandemic.

"Yeah we’re really excited to start our new paddleboard yoga program we just started and we’re looking forward to having it during the course of the summer," said Smitherman.

The reason the department is able to run the yoga program is because they are able to keep proper physical distance with small class sizes.

Managers with the department say this new activity is one way they’re able to help people stay fit and active while maintaining safety at the same time.

"I thought it would be a really fun challenge ... hoping that we wouldn’t fall in but we didn’t," said Furber.

The Recreation and Parks Department is welcoming any ideas you might have on alternative activities during the pandemic.