Annapolis (August 19, 2003) - Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens and other County officials were on hand today to participate in a ceremony celebrating the successful conclusion of a new summer youth recreation program held in the West County community of Stillmeadows. The five-week program, offered for the first time in this community by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, was designed to give children ages 6 through 12 a structured, safely monitored environment for neighborhood-based summer recreation just steps from their homes. "This is a wonderful day for the community of Stillmeadows," said Ms. Owens. "With combined support from the community, the County, the Boys and Girls Clubs and private donations, we have made a real investment in what's important to the community's future: its children. We hope it serves as a springboard - giving hope and positive direction to the neighborhood and its residents." Community members had been long advocating for safe activities for its children, and the Boys and Girls Clubs had already stepped forward as a sponsor, but significant obstacles stood in the way of getting the Stillmeadows summer program started. The area's recreational facilities had become dilapidated and unusable. The community swimming pool was closed, in need of maintenance, and the asphalt on the nearby basketball court was crumbling, making it unsafe and unplayable. With quick coordination by the County's non-profit housing and community development agency Arundel Community Development Services, Inc., and funding assistance from the Department of Recreation and Parks, the crumbling basketball court was refurbished, repaved and restriped. Meanwhile, the Condominium Owners' Association pushed to get the pool cleaned and reopened. Program support was garnered from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, boosted by private donations. Managed by ACDS, in the short span of three weeks, the facilities improvements were made and the recreation program planned. The recreational program opened as scheduled on its first day. "It was nothing short of a miracle, pulling this off in time to run the Stillmeadows program this summer, "said Reggie Broddie, Boys and Girls Clubs Executive Director, "But we were absolutely committed to doing this for these kids - they deserve to enjoy summer just like anybody else." "It just shows what willpower, grassroots efforts and an optimistic community spirit can do," said Wanda Hebron, president of the Stillmeadows Condo I Association. "We are grateful to the County for stepping in and helping to make this happen. Now, the challenge will be to keep people in the community involved and things maintained so that our kids can continue to have fun and safe activities." Called "Still Meadows Summer Fun 2003," the summer youth program was one of many neighborhood programs offered by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County this summer. All programs are geared to provide recreation and life skills training opportunities to at-risk youth in the County. | 
