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Youth Activities in Junction City, KS

City Commission Approves Funding for Basketball Court

Playground Park phasesThe next phase of the Playground Park project continues with approval from the City Commission. Phase Two will add a new basketball court to the park, complementing the playground upgrade from Phase One. According to the JC Post, the City and Quality Play for All will share the cost of the addition, which should range from $25,000 to $30,000.

Stay tuned as this phase of the project continues!

Dog Jog & Adoption Event

Join Coldwell Banker Mowry Custer, Realtors for a fun 2-mile dog jog and adoption event on Sunday, September 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 522 Eisenhower Drive in Junction City!

Festivities will include:

  • 2-mile jog/walk with your family pet
    • Registration is $20 per dog and includes a t-shirt, dog bandana, and meal ticket. Additional t-shirts are $15.
    • Register online!
  • Bratwurst/hot dogs
    • Suggested donation of $5 or meal ticket from Dog Jog or donation.
  • Free pet photos
  • Junction City/Geary County Animal Shelter and Purple Power Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on-site with adoptable dogs
  • Supply donation drive for local animal shelters. Receive a meal ticket with a donation of:
    • Bleach
    • Cat litter
    • Iams brand dry dog or cat food
    • Kong toys
    • Peanut butter

All proceeds will go to local animal shelters and rescues! Enjoy an afternoon stroll with your dog and human family, and help homeless dogs find forever homes!

Land Navigation Course with Junction City Recreation

Land Navigation flyerThe 12th Street Community Center will provide a land navigation course for ages 10 to 14 on Saturday, October 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at B&G Farm. Participants will learn:

  • How to determine pace correctly
  • Identify an object at a given azimuth
  • Find 5 orienteering points
  • Skills like dependability, strength, adaptability, perseverance, and purpose

Register online before October 7. You can also visit the 12th Street Community Center (1002 W 12th Street) or call 785-238-7529.

Board Members Needed for Junior Baseball Association

Junction City Junior Baseball AssociationThe Junction City Junior Baseball Association (JCJBA) is looking to fill board positions for the upcoming season.

The purpose of the board is to promote and provide baseball opportunities for area youth, throughout the local and surrounding communities, in the forms of Recreational and Competitive Programs. We are looking for people who have a passion for youth sports/activities, especially in regards to recreational baseball. For baseball to be successful in the Junction City area, dedicated individuals are needed.

Interested parties are asked to email the JCJBA with a short blurb stating why you would like to be a part of the board.

PlayJC Talks Volunteers on KSNT

Did you catch PlayJC on KSNT? We spoke with James Ryan about our mission to increase youth sports engagement and build a volunteer roster for our local leagues and organizations!

Check out our interview, and if you’re ready to volunteer with our local youth sports and activities, fill out our Get Involved survey!

PlayJC Meets with Geary County Commission

PlayJC Meets with Geary County CommissionOn August 19, 2019, PlayJC Committee members and staff were invited to present to the Geary County Commission. PlayJC discussed their vision for local youth sports and activities to the commission and answered questions from the elected officials.

PlayJC thanks the commission for their time and consideration and looks forward to working with the county to bring new sports and opportunities to the Junction City community!

Check out the JC Post for a full review of this meeting!

Seeking Volunteers for Local Youth Sports & Activities

Volunteers NeededThe PlayJC.org Committee, an extension of the Quality Play for All Non-Profit, is now accepting volunteer information and building connections between volunteers, local youth sports groups, and other organizations.

After meeting with leagues and Junction City Recreation Department, PlayJC.org identified volunteer recruitment as a critical need for local youth sports and activities.

“Everyone is asking for more volunteers and this is an area we think we can help,” said Amber Schilling, PlayJC.org Program Coordinator.  “From coaching to teaching classes, many organizations need support from the community to grow. We want to serve as a bridge between volunteers and the organizations in need. Please send us your information, and we will connect you with the right people.”

PlayJC.org went live in early July with information about local leagues, facilities, and continues to grow with new content every day. The committee continues to foster connections within the youth programming community, aid in new league development, and explore new sites for development.

Do you want to volunteer with a local team or teach a class at the community center? Fill out our form, and let’s get started!

Quality Play Income Study Brings Major Grant Money to Junction City

Quality Play for All Low to Moderate Income StudyIn 2017, Quality Play for All set out to fund the Playground Park project. Obtaining funds from a Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) became a key factor in funding the project.

These grants require applicants to identify a service area and gather specific information related to income in the area.

Completing the Survey

Working with a professional grant writer, City Commission approval, and many community volunteers, Quality Play for All conducted a random survey of over 580 residents in Junction City. These residents provide key information about their household, including sensitive details about:

  • Disability
  • Education
  • Income
  • Race/ethnicity

The survey was completed in October 2017, and Quality Play for All received a CDBG for $188,244 in January 2018.

Other Uses of the Survey

Playground Park isn’t the only project to utilize this survey data. In 2018, the survey was put to use by the City to apply for funds for the Spring Valley Road improvement project. The City was awarded $425,000 in CDBG funds for the upgrades in early 2019.

Currently, the City plans to use the survey to apply for approximately $700,000 in funds for the roundabout at McFarland Road and Eisenhower Drive, according to the City Manager Allen Dinkel.

Impact on Our Community

With a value of over $613,000 already and the potential for up to $1,313,000 in grant funds, use of the income survey has proved invaluable for the Junction City community. The 2017 survey has been gold for us, said Allen Dinkel. Thanks to all who made that survey happen.

Unfortunately, the survey can no longer be used after this year. Future CDBG requests will require a new survey. If the 2017 survey is an indicator, any future income surveys will be more than worth the time, effort, and coordination put in by volunteers to complete the undertaking.

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