Free play ; Best Summer Freebies Summer programs a boon for families on a tight budget

I t's summertime, and the living is easy. But in most cases, playtime's no longer free.

Years ago - before the iPhone, iPad, or even the Internet -almost every good-sized community had a free summer playgroundprogram to keep kids occupied after school let out.

But the programs are now harder to find because of cuts in parksand recreation budgets. Most communities in the region have longsince converted to pay-as-you-go, with registration fees paying forthe programs.

There are some happy exceptions. In Melrose, revenue generated byother summer programs covers the costs of the free summer program atCommon Park, which runs Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. June 27 to Aug. 12.

There are sports, organized games, and arts and crafts projects.

Melrose is one of several communities with scholarship funds toallow children who can't afford fee-paid programs to participate forfree. The city has enlisted aid from a series of sponsors, each ofwhich funds between eight and 10 children.

"Our goal has always been to never turn away a child due toeconomic hardship," said Frank Olivieri, the Melrose recreationmanager. "Over the past two years, our need for program scholarshipshas grown by over 300 percent."

Beverly is one community that has made free programming apriority. From 8:30 a.m. to noon from June 27 through Aug. 19, 12city playgrounds are staffed.

"We've had to cut back some over the years - we used to staff 20playgrounds - but we're fortunate to have a mayor and City Councilthat have continued to fund these programs," said Bruce Doig,Beverly recreation director.

"We've tightened our belt and tried to become more efficient."

The summer schedule also features a series of Thursday specialevents, with kids being bused in from all over the city to LynchPark for a Harry Potter Day, or a cookout on this Fourth of Julyweekend.

A Globe survey found nine cities and towns - Beverly, Danvers,Melrose, Nahant, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Somerville, and Revere -still offering a range of free summer activities, includingplayground programs that officials caution do not offer the level ofsupervision of paid day care or camp. The programs may also chargefor field trips or special events.

Many communities with fees have discounts or scholarshipsavailable for those who qualify.

From June 30 to Aug. 19, Danvers offers a free town-supportedhalf-day playground program at seven parks and playgrounds, and afull-day program at five parks and playgrounds for children 6-14.There is a charge for special events and field trips.

Lawrence recreation director Nelson Ortiz said the city offers afree summer program for children that runs 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

beginning Tuesday and continuing through Aug. 17. It includes aboating program, programs in the parks, and Friday field trips.

"We have a staff of 17 youths who are either high school seniorsor college students and are first aid and CPR-certified," he said.

Ortiz said the program is made possible by fund-raising, grants,donations, and partners such as the UMass Extension Program, theLawrence Summer Meals Program, the Girl Scouts of Northern NewEngland, and the nonprofit Latino Center of Excellence forEliminating Disparities.

Lowell offers a free arts and crafts program that moves amongdifferent parks - children are not allowed to be dropped off andmust be accompanied - and other activities that include freeswimming and tennis lessons as well as the Healthy Summer program, aprivate-public partnership providing education, healthy meals, andfun activities for children. For details, go to lowellma.gov, clickon the Youth Services Department page, and then the Healthy Summerbrochure.

The city of Lynn staffs 12 playgrounds for children age 6 andover for six hours Monday through Friday beginning Wednesday throughAug. 5. The program includes field trips, special events, Wiffleball games, arts and crafts, sports activities, and entertainment.Lunch also is provided. Lisa Nerich, Parks and Recreation director,said the program, supported by the city budget, did not undergo anycutbacks this year.

The oceanside town of Nahant offers a free summer parks programfrom 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday beginning Tuesday through Aug. 26 at Adolescence Playground, according to Town Manager Mark Cullinan.The city of Somerville offers a free playground program from 9 a.m.to noon weekdays at five city parks, geared to youngsters fromkindergarten to Grade 5.

The program begins Tuesday and continues through Aug. 12.

In Revere, donations, fund-raisers, and a contribution from themunicipal budget allow the city to offer instructors at nine parksfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays beginning Wednesday through Aug. 12,and three free children's shows at lunchtime each week.

The city also coordinates with the Revere public schools andProject Bread to offer free daily lunches at a variety of sites andfree cookouts two days a week.

"Families are very lucky in Revere to have so many programsavailable to them at no cost," said recreation director AdrienneMaguire.

Some cities and towns offer free summer concerts for the wholefamily, with help from sponsors, cultural councils, and othernonprofits.

Salem offers concerts on both Salem Common and at the band shellat Salem Willows Park, while music plays on Sundays at BeverlyCommon and Thursdays at Lynch Park. A number of Lynn groups,including the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach, fund a summer concertseries at the oceanside Red Rock Park in Lynn. Lois Lane & the DailyPlanets kick off the series tonight from 7 to 9 before the Lynn/Swampscott fireworks.

Do you enjoy watching a free movie under the stars? You can dothat in Swampscott, Revere, and Burlington, while Melrose offersfree movies for children indoors at Memorial Hall.

Rich Fahey can be reached at faheywrite@yahoo.com.

Best Summer Freebies

Playgrounds

Lynn's free summer playground program at 12 sites, July 6-Aug. 5,9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Fridays 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). Games, sports,entertainment, field trips (extra $). Includes free lunch. Children6 and over. www.ci.lynn.ma.us, go to Recreation Department throughCity Hall link.

Music and movies

under the stars

Revere Beach, June 30, July 14, 28, and Aug. 11 at Kelly's RoastBeef, July 7, July 21, and Aug. 4 at William G. Reinstein Bandstand.Entertainment starts at 6 p.m. with Jim the DJ & Pick-a-Party. Themovie will begin at dusk. revererec.com.

Fitness, food, and fun

Lowell Healthy Summer Program. Educational programs, healthymeals, and fun activities each summer for Lowell young people.Lowellma.gov, go to the Division of Youth Services and Parks andRecreation pages.

Compiled by Rich Fahey

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