The City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Department, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Phone: 642-1666

Tiny Tot Programs

Creative Craft and Movement: A fun instructional program designed to keep kids ages 3 to 5 years old interested in crafts and reading. Each week a different theme will be offered. All classes are from 2 to 3:30 p.m. $40 resident or $48 non-resident fee.

-- April 7 to 11: Spring Time

-- May 5 to 9: Beach Bash

Spring Break Programs

MICKYS Sailing – Level 1: 8 to 11 a.m. March 31 to April 4. The Marco Island City Kids Youth Sailing program is returning for a spring break level 1 class. Instructor Ben Davis will teach students on the fundamentals of learning to sail an Opti Pram on the waters of Factory Bay, and increase their sailing skills and confidence. MICKYS is available for ages 9 to 15. Fees: $50/week resident and $60/week non-resident. All classes at Marco River Marina. Child must be able to swim for a swim test will be required on the first day of class. Pre-registration is required.

Sports Camp: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 31 to April 4, at Mackle Park. The camp focuses on learning sports and crafts. Children can choose from a list of activities including: football, basketball, baseball, tennis, dodge ball, arts and crafts, soccer, tumbling, and much more. You child will get to choose 3 to 4 activities within a 45-minute rotation. Instruction is provided for all activities. Please bring a packed lunch, plenty of drinking water, and closed-toed shoes. Fees for Sports Camp are $80 for the full week, $40 for an a.m. or p.m. session, or $20 for one day of camp. Ages 5 to 13 are welcomed to attend. Call Mackle Park for details and registration.

Teen Programs

The Teen Center is officially open at Marco Island Parks and Recreation! Come over to Mackle Park and hang out playing Xbox360, PS2, Guitar Hero, watching TV on our big screen, air hockey, Rock Band, and much more. The center is open 3 to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, to students, grade 6 and up.

Wednesday, April 2: Sun and Fun Lagoon. Join the Parks and Recreation team for a field trip to North Regional Community Park’s, Sun and Fun Lagoon. We will be leaving Mackle Park at 11 a.m. and returning by 5 p.m. Cost is $12 per person, park admission and transportation provided. Please bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and extra money for snacks and drinks. Don’t be staying at home on the couch when you could be outside enjoying the Florida sun on the lazy river, water slides, and much more. Call Mackle Park for reservations.

Friday, April 4: Free Tennis for Teens. Enjoy an evening of tennis clinics for teens from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marco Island Racquet Center. The evening includes an intro to tennis lessons along with various games including 1 point tournament, triples tournament, and ping pong tennis. Learn something new or expand on what you already know. Hang out with your friends and have some fun with the sports of tennis. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Friday, April 11: Laser Battle, 7 to 10 p.m. We are firing it up with a brand new hybrid sport that splices paintball and laser tag called Laser Battle! Don’t miss this chance to battle against your friends and tear it up on the field. Fee is $15 per person; snacks and drinks will be provided. Pre-registration is required.

Special Events

March 29: March Madness Hoop Shoot, 10 .a.m. at the Mackle Park basketball court. Parks and Recreation Department will host a March Madness Hoop Shoot basketball competition established in honor of the NCAA Basketball March Madness Tournament. The competition will consist of a three point, free throw and lay up shoot out. Each person must compete in all three events to be eligible for the award in their age group. Awards will be given out to first place winners in each age group. This event is free and all of the public is welcome to attend. The age groups are 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18 (boys and girls separate).

Movies in the Park Spring Series: schedule of upcoming movies at Mackle Park:

-- Saturday, April 19: Spiderman 3

-- Friday, May 30: Barnyard

April 19: Simultaneous Chess Exhibition, 10 a.m. at Mackle Park. The City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with the Marco Island Chess Enthusiasts (MICE) is proud to sponsor the 2nd Annual Simultaneous Chess Exhibition.

The simultaneous chess exhibition has one chess master playing against 50 other chess players of all levels — at the same time.

This year we are honored to have the world-renown Grandmaster Julio Becerra. GM Becerra is a four-time Cuba National Champion and 2006 Florida Champion. GM Becerra is one of the world’s best chess players.

The event is free but advanced registration is required. To register and for rules please visit www.marcochess.info.

Saturday, April 12: Pitch, Hit & Run Competition, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The event will be held at the baseball field behind Tommie Barfield Elementary, 101 Kirkwood Street. Early registration is recommended at Mackle Park.

Sponsored by Aquafina and Major League Baseball, the Pitch, Hit & Run provides girls and boys across the country a chance to showcase their baseball abilities in an exciting free baseball skills competition for ages 7 to 14. The programs intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the fun element of baseball. Boys and girls compete together in four different age groups: 7 to 8, 9 to 10, 11 to 12, and 13 to 14.

The competition is designed to test three of the most fundamental aspects of baseball: pitching, hitting, and running. During the pitching round the participant is tested throwing strikes to a designated “Strike Zone” target. The hitting round allows the youngster to hit a ball off a stationary tee for distance and accuracy. The youngster is timed, starting from second base, touching third, and then home during the running part of the competition.

Skill events are individually scored and converted to a total point score through the use of conversion tables. Each participant will compete in each of the three components and accumulate a total score based on his or her performance.

Racquet Center

Tennis: Sign-up required, call Racquet Center at 394-5454. Fees: $6 passholders; $15 nonpassholders.

Monday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Men’s Open Flighted Play. Open organized men’s doubles for 3.0 – 3.5 levels of play.

Tuesday, April 1, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Women’s Open Flighted Play. Open organized women’s doubles for 3.0 – 3.5 levels of play.

Wednesday, April 2, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Men’s Open Flighted Play. Open organized men’s doubles for 3.0 – 3.5 levels of play.

Thursday, April 3, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Women’s Open Flighted Play. Open organized women’s doubles for 3.0 – 3.5 levels of play.

Thursday, April 3, 4 to 6 p.m. Women’s Open Flighted Play. Open organized women’s doubles for 4.0 level of play.

Sunday, March 30, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mixed Doubles Open Flighted Play. Open organized mixed doubles for 3.0 – 3.5 levels of play.

Racquetball: $6 for nonpassholder.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Open Challenge Court. Rotating open play.

Tennis Instruction by head tennis professional Wayne Clark. Sign-up required, call Racquet Center at 394-5454.

Friday, 8 to 9 a.m.: Doubles Strategy for 3.0 players.

Friday, 9 to 10 a.m.: Doubles Strategy for 3.5 players.

Tennis Instruction by tennis professional Al Lenz. Sign-up required, call Racquet Center at 394-5454. $15 per participant.

Wednesday, 6 to 7 p.m.: Tennis Stroke Production for Beginners.

Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m. Doubles Strategy for 3.0 – 3.5 Players.