Registration for 2023-2024 school-year P.A.R.K. programs opens to the public Wednesday, May 3.
Registration for 2023 Summer P.A.R.K. opens to the public Wednesday, April 12.

Youth Programs

Grove City Parks and Recreation works to foster physical, mental and cultural development in community members through all stages of life. From team sports and gymnastics to nature experiences to crafts, children are exposed to a variety of experiences as they grow, learn and develop personalities while discovering their interests.

Programs are detailed in The Source section of Discover Grove City magazine, published six times each year with new registration periods opening in odd-numbered months.

P.A.R.K. Childcare Programs

P.A.R.K., Programmed After-school Recreation for Kids, is Grove City Parks and Recreation’s school-year and summer childcare programs that offer safe, active places for elementary-school-aged children to stay physically, mentally and socially active.

  • Before-school P.A.R.K. is offered 6 to 8 a.m. in the Kingston Center on days SWCSD is in session.
  • After-school P.A.R.K. is offered 2:40 to 6 p.m. at Buckeye Woods, J.C. Sommer, Highland Park, Monterey and Richard Avenue elementary schools on days SWCSD is in session.
  • Summer P.A.R.K. is offered 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for nine weeks over summer break at two convenient SWCSD sites.

The programs do not operate when SWCSD buildings are closed for any reason, scheduled or unscheduled, including, but not limited to, holidays, inclement weather, utility issues and communicable disease outbreaks.

Parents of participants are responsible for reading and abiding by the information contained in the Parent Handbooks. To ensure proper care of your child, a number of forms must be completed and returned to the office before the child may participate in the program.

May 2023 P.A.R.K. Newsletters

Wondering what P.A.R.K. has in store for your child this month? Check out the this month’s newsletter and calendar for your child’s site!

We’re hiring!

Grove City Parks and Recreation is hiring part-time P.A.R.K. leaders.

Visit the Employment Opportunities page for details.

April 2023 P.A.R.K. Newsletters

Wondering what P.A.R.K. has in store for your child this month? Check out the this month’s newsletter and calendar for your child’s site!

Summer P.A.R.K.

Summer P.A.R.K. is a full-day childcare program operating weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. This full-day childcare program for children who have completed kindergarten through fourth grade offers cooperative games, fitness, indoor and outdoor play, free art, special interest and free-choice activities, on-site learning labs and more. Participants take weekly field trips to The Big Splash.

Summer P.A.R.K., located at two SWCSD sites, is perfect for children of parents who live or work in Grove City.

The program operates for approximately nine weeks. There is a $100 non-refundable registration fee. Total tuition will be divided into three payments over the summer.

Registration for Summer P.A.R.K. opens to the general public in mid-April annually. Current P.A.R.K. families have early registration opportunities.

2023 Summer P.A.R.K.

Parent Information

Registration

  • Registration takes place annually (Summer P.A.R.K. in mid-April; Before- and After-school P.A.R.K. in early May). Current participants enjoy early registration availability.
  • Before attempting to register, an account must be set up for the participant. The department moved to a new registration system in January 2023. If your family has not set up a new account in 2023, please follow directions in the Welcome section.
  • Spots are limited and filled on a first-come basis based on the time of application.
  • A non-refundable registration fee is due at registration.
  • A packet of forms, including emergency contact information, must be completed before the child attends.

2023-2024 Registration Dates

  • Summer P.A.R.K.: Wednesday, April 12
  • 2023-2024 School-year P.A.R.K. (Before- and After-school): Wednesday, May 3
  • Current P.A.R.K. families: watch for notifications regarding your early registration periods.

Summer P.A.R.K.

  • Establish an account online, if you have not already done so in the new registration system (as of January 2023).
  • Complete registration online or in person in the Kingston Center only. Registration is not available by phone.
  • A $100 non-refundable fee is due at registration. Monthly payments of $530 each are due May 15, June 15 and July 15.
  • Limited spaces are available. Participants are placed based on the time of registration. Once the program is full, a waiting list is maintained; no fee is charged until space is available.
  • After registration, participants will be prompted to complete a packet of forms including emergency medical information by mid-May.

Before- and After-school P.A.R.K. (2023-2024 school year)

  • Establish an account online, if you have not already done so in the new registration system (as of January 2023).
  • Complete registration online or in person in the Kingston Center only. Registration is not available by phone.
    • Before-school: select A.M. Elementary
    • After-school: select the appropriate site based on the school the child attends
  • A $30 non-refundable fee is due at registration.
  • Monthly payments are due the 15th of the month previous to the month of attendance (August-April).
    • Before-school: $125 monthly
    • After-school: $215 monthly
  • Limited spaces are available. Some sites will be near capacity with returning participants. Do not wait to register.
  • Participants are placed based on the time of registration. Once a site is full, a waiting list is maintained; no fee is charged until space is available.
  • After registration, participants will be prompted to complete a packet of forms including emergency medical information.

After-school P.A.R.K.

After-school P.A.R.K. operates in the gymnasiums of the five South-Western City School District (SWCSD) elementary schools in Grove City: Buckeye Woods, J.C. Sommer, Highland Park, Monterey and Richard Avenue elementary schools from 2:40 to 6 p.m. every day the SWCSD is in session. Children should bring a snack and water bottle to P.A.R.K. daily, and dress to play comfortably outside.

P.A.R.K. provides planned cooperative games, fitness, indoor and outdoor activities, free art, special interest activities, stations, free-choice activities and much more.

Before-school P.A.R.K.

Before-school P.A.R.K. creates a safe, fun environment for students in kindergarten through grade 4 from 6 to 8 a.m. The program meets at the Kingston Center every day the SWCSD is in session and includes supervised care and recreational activities as well as breakfast. It does not operate when school is closed for holidays, inclement weather or any other reason.

Transportation to the child’s school is provided by the SWCSD Transportation Department for students of Buckeye Woods, Highland Park, Monterey and Richard Avenue elementary schools. Before-school P.A.R.K. staff walk J.C. Sommer elementary school students to school.

Medical Forms

If your child requires special accommodations due to a permanent or temporary medical condition, please complete the appropriate form(s) and submit to the Parks and Recreation office.

2022-2023 P.A.R.K.

Parent Information

Please review the following information and return all appropriate forms in the packet for the program your child is enrolled in.

Registration for 2022-2023 Before- and After-school P.A.R.K.

  • Review the Registration Information for more details.
  • Some sites are currently full. Please call the Kingston Center office to check availability.

Summer PlayZone

At Summer PlayZone, children who have completed kindergarten through fourth grade develop self-esteem, independence and social skills through highly active games, outrageous play, special activities, free-choice art and adventurous off-site trips. This fun, outdoor-focused program takes place at the Kingston Center, and runs for eight weeks from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Registration for Summer PlayZone is handled as a traditional June-July class (opens 8 a.m., Monday, May 15).

We’re hiring!

Grove City Parks and Recreation is hiring part-time P.A.R.K. leaders.

Visit the Employment Opportunities page for details.