What’s Up? Video: Sensible safety tips for celebrating another glorious Fourth of July

In this episode of “What’s Up, College Station?” Marketing Coordinator Grace Hallowell and College Station Fire Department Capt. Stuart Marrs discuss time-tested summer safety tips for swimming, outdoor grilling, and Independence Day fireworks. Continue reading What’s Up? Video: Sensible safety tips for celebrating another glorious Fourth of July

Parks and Recreation, Public Communications

6 essential things you should know about swim lessons

Learning to be a capable swimmer is an essential life skill and should be a priority for your entire family. The City of College Station’s Aquatics Division is devoted to teaching people to swim correctly, safely, and confidently. Here are six things you should know about swim lessons. Continue reading 6 essential things you should know about swim lessons

Parks and Recreation, Public Communications

3 water safety resources to help keep your family safe

As we approach summer, it is vital to keep your family safe when enjoying water-related activities. As Water Safety Month comes to a close, the City of College Station’s Aquatics Division reminds you to be careful around swimming pools, ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Here are a few resources to help keep your family safe this season. Continue reading 3 water safety resources to help keep your family safe

Parks and Recreation, Public Communications

Podcast: Bridget Russell, College Station’s Pool Shark

May is Water Safety Month, which obviously highlights the importance of knowing how to swim and how to watch family and friends when at the lake or at the pool. In this podcast, College Station Pools Supervisor Bridget Russell talks about the challenges she and her staff face, how they’re not to be considered babysitters, and how you can stay safe this summer. Continue reading Podcast: Bridget Russell, College Station’s Pool Shark

Parks and Recreation, Public Communications

I owe my Parks & Recreation career to an 11-year-old

Whenever I need a reminder about why I chose Parks & Recreation for my career, I think back to the summer of 1986 and an eager young girl with a bright smile.

I was between my sophomore and junior year at Texas A&M and was working as an assistant pool manager for the Texas City Parks and Recreation Department. As part of my responsibilities, I also coached the summer swim team. A regional meet determined who would swim in the league championships, and the coaching staff entered the swimmers in events we thought gave them the best chance to succeed.

Eleven-year-old Melanie was particularly disappointed because the events we chose for her were not exactly her favorites. We went for a short walk around the pool and I stopped and asked if she trusted me. She replied that she did, and I explained that I had had not only seen her swim, I had also seen her competition. She promised to do her best.

Continue reading “I owe my Parks & Recreation career to an 11-year-old”