By Kim McDarison
Piloted last year by the Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department, “Adult Recess” a program designed to give adults a chance to take a break, let loose, make friends and have fun, as described by Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Franseen in advance of last year’s event, is making a comeback.
According to information released by the Parks and Recreation Department, the event will be held twice in 2023, on Friday, May 12, and again on Friday, Sept. 8. Both events will be held in the city’s Jones Park, 600 Janesville Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m.
Participation in the pilot program was strong, Franseen said in a recent news release, noting that some 200 people arrived in Jones Park last year to take part in the fun.
Last September, the event combined opportunities for active, organized games, such as kickball, dodgeball, spikeball, and Captain of the Flag, along with less strenuous board games, like Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga and bags.
This year, the release noted, Badminton has been added, along with other board games to provide opportunities for everyone.
Describing the concept behind Adult Recess in an interview last year, Franseen said the idea was developed after one similar which took place in Sun Prairie.
Franseen said she and her husband attended the Sun Prairie event and found it fun and enjoyable.
Franseen said her experience in Sun Prairie linked in her mind with information developed by her department through a survey it conducted last summer. Responses to the survey indicated that Fort Atkinson area residents were looking for more adult activities.
Other successes from last year which will be returning in 2023 include treats offered through the Generals Baseball Team’s concession stand, featuring such favorites as $1 beer, hotdogs, popcorn, and other fun food that is easy to eat while participating in games, information within this year’s news release stated.
Restrooms also will be available for recess participants.
Adult Recess is open to participants who are 21 and older.
While registration is not required to participate in Adult Recess, event-goers will be directed upon their arrival to a “welcome” table, where IDs will be checked, wristbands will be distributed, and a signature on a waiver will be collected.
New this year, BASE, the Badgerland After School Enrichment program, will be offering childcare opportunities to children of adults participating in recess on May 12.
Children, ages 5 and older, are eligible to participate in the BASE childcare program, where they will find crafts, games, a movie, and popcorn. Childcare will be provided at Luther Elementary School, which is located near Jones Park.
According to the release, space is limited to 40 children and a donation for services of $20 per child is suggested. Those interested in registering for the childcare opportunity can visit: https://bit.ly/mayadultrecessbase.
This year, according to the release, music will play during the event, with selections chosen for their nostalgic effect, from the 1990s and 2000s.
More information as it develops, according to the release, can be obtained through the following link: https://bit.ly/adultrecessmay2023.
A story about the event’s pilot program is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-parks-and-rec-offers-adult-recess-because-adulting-can-be-hard/.
Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation park caretaking staff member Josh Crandall, at left, and Parks and Recreation Department Director Brooke Franseen play Giant Connect Four last summer in Jones Park. The game was one of many offered during “Adult Recess,” a program for participants 21 and older piloted last year. The program will return in two installments in 2023. File photo/Kim McDarison.
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