Parks & Recreation

Page Updated: Feb 20, 2004

Parks & Recreation

Game Cancellations & New Information

All games scheduled for Monday, July 2nd in Monticello will be played as scheduled. Should weather conditions change this message will be updated.

The Monticello Parks and Recreation Department is an organization of and is under the legal authority of the Monticello City Council. The Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) is considered the local legislative body to which is entrusted the responsibility for planning, executing, and appraising the City's parks and recreation programs. It is the duty of the recreation committee to approve basic policy for the operation, control, improvement and planning, future and present, of park and recreation facilities, and activities within the City.

Purpose and Objective:

It shall be the purpose and objective of the Monticello Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) to provide wholesome recreation for the entire family. Consistent with the purpose and objective, every opportunity shall be afforded, within financial limits, to plan, procure, develop and maintain parks and recreation resources and to provide leadership for the wise and satisfactory use of leisure time. The committee shall endeavor to provide such services at the lowest possible cost and without duplicating the efforts of other agencies.

Administrative Staff:

Recreation committee is made up of 6 City Council Members. Tim Hayes is the Recreation Chairman, City Superintendent - Floyd Allsop, Recreation Director - Carlos McClellan, & Asst. Recreation Director Mindy Condis.

Baseball and Softball Diamonds:

The scheduling and use of baseball and softball diamonds during the non-school months is under the control of the City of Monticello. This includes the three diamonds located on the Dwight B. Wilkey Sports Complex and adjacent Washington School grounds. The City controls the two diamonds located in Forest Preserve Park year round. The City of Monticello sponsors or supervises the play of over 50 teams on these facilities during the summer months. To request the use of a diamond on a space available basis, groups may contact the Recreation Director, Carlos McClellan at 762-2583. Priority is given to City of Monticello Recreation Department Programs. The Recreation Department also controls the use of the following facilities year round: Swimming Pool, Golf Driving Range, Tennis, Basketball, and Volleyball courts in Burke Park.

General Policies and Procedure

I. Recreational Activities Eligibility

Recreational activities sponsored by the City of Monticello are open to all citizens who reside within the boundaries of the Monticello Community Unit School District Number 25. This includes those who live in rural areas and attend school in Monticello or White Heath.

II. Participation - Team Activities

In all team activities, all members of a team must participate in every contest in which they are in attendance. The minimum amount of participation shall be determined by the Recreation Director and Activity Commissioners (head staff in the absence of Commissioners). After the initial establishment of such participation policy, any subsequent amendment must have the approval of the PRD committee.

III. No Cut Policy

Since the primary goal of recreation is for leisure enjoyment of all participants, no individual shall be "cut" (prohibited) from being a member of a non-traveling team. There are sometimes "tryouts" required for size restrictions for the traveling sports teams. Every effort will be made to keep all children involved.

IV. Equality of Teams

In all PRD in town programs that involve competition of teams, all teams must be approximately equal in the level of ability. The respective Commissioners and the Recreation Director shall determine the mechanism for the equality. When a competitive team represents the City of Monticello, all recreation policies of conduct are in effect. If the league or equivalent organization places a limit on team membership and the number of participants desiring to be a member of the team exceeds this member limitation, two or more teams will be created if possible.

V. Registration

All registration will be handled on a first come first served basis. No registration is complete until the registration form has been turned in with the fee attached. Please pay attention to registration deadline dates - they will be followed.

Nothing kills a program quicker than waiting until the last minute to register for it. At some point a decision must be made on whether to cancel a program due to lack of enrollment, so register as soon as possible to avoid this possibility. When programs are full, please ask to be put on the waiting list - someone may drop out and you can take his or her place. You may register in person or you may mail in your registration to: Monticello Recreation, 210 N. Hamilton, Monticello, IL 61856, (No mail in registrations will be accepted after the deadline date). The Recreation Dept. has the right to change any program fees or dates in this pamphlet.

Recreation Program Information:

The Recreation Department advertises programs the following ways:

* Monticello E-News Paper www.monticelloenews.com

* Piatt County Journal (weekly)

* Local Television Channel 2 Bulletin Board

* Send flyers home with school kids

* Recreation Bulletin Board located in the Municipal Building

* City Web Site www.monticelloillinois.net

Volunteer Coaches:

The Monticello Recreation Department relies on adult volunteers to coach youth sports teams. An extensive knowledge of the sport is not required. You simply need the desire to work with our local youth for a couple of hours each week during the particular season. Any adult who is interested in becoming a coach should call the Recreation Department at 762-2583. For additional information, please contact the Recreation Director - Carlos McClellan at 762-2583. We welcome all ideas for new programs and suggestions on how we can improve existing programs.

Employment Opportunities:

The Monticello Recreation Department hires for the following positions each year: Pool Asst. Manager, Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, Swim Team Coaches, Concessions, Umpires, Referees, Scorekeepers, Driving Range, Tennis Instructors, Golf Instructors, & Ball Field Crews.

2008 Rec Dept. Holidays (Office Closed)

Office will be closed on Jan. 1, Mar. 21, May 26, July 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 13, Nov. 11, 27, 28, & Dec. 24, 25.

Facility Phone Numbers:

Municipal Building / Recreation Office - 762-2583

Swimming Pool - 762-2313

Little League Diamond & (Game Hotline) - 762-7772

Golf Driving Range - 762-7675

WHY DOES RECREATION HAVE REGISTRATION DEADLINES?

Monticello Recreation Department programs service a community of approximately 8,000 people. The acceptance of late registrations right up to the start of the season has proven to be an unfair practice to staff, coaches, and players who were trying to organize not only a recreational, but an educational experience for our youth.

Similar to recreation agencies across the state and nation, the department has registration deadlines that would allow our small staff adequate time to form teams, secure and train the appropriate number of qualified volunteers, and obtain adequate t-shirts and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient fashion. These deadlines have been strictly enforced for the past 5 years. This is a procedure that has proven to be beneficial to staff and coaches as they prepare for the teams.

For anyone that misses the deadline, like similar agencies, the department follows a waitlist system. To take advantage of the waitlist, a registration form must be filled out and turned in, without payment, to be placed on a wait list. When the registration is turned in it is date and time stamped. Players on the wait list will be used to fill team vacancies if and when they occur. Players will be taken in date order off of the wait list as needed. There is no guarantee that a child will be accepted off the waitlist. Register early to avoid disappointment.