Registration for Parks & Recreation’s Start Smart Basketball (ages 3-4) opens Monday, January 6 at noon. There are 23 spots available. The program costs $40 plus tax, which includes a Start Smart t-shirt. Register online under “Youth & Teen.” Registration is first come, first served. All registrations received after the session is full will be placed on a waitlist.

Scholarships are available; fill out the online form to apply.

The Start Smart program is for 3-4 year olds (participants must be 3 by the first session). Start Smart Basketball sessions are held 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. every Thursday from January 30 – March 6 at Floyd Dryden gymnasium. Children work with an adult in their lives in a supportive environment to learn the basic skills of basketball: dribbling, shooting, passing and agility. Adults are active participants in the program.

For more information, visit the program website, or contact Recreation Coordinator MJ Goedeken at [email protected]  or (907) 586-2635 ext. 4414.

CBJ Parks & Recreation and AEYC-SEA are excited to host a spring session of Family Fun Nights at the Dimond Park Field House on Fridays through April. This free event is a chance for younger children to run and play indoors during the cold and dark evenings of winter and early spring.

Family Fun Nights will take place at 5 – 6:30 p.m. on the following Fridays:

• January 3* & 24
• February 7 & 14
• March 7 & 21
• April 11 & 25*

*We’ll kick off and wrap up with extra-long sessions on the first and last nights! January 3 will go from 5 – 7:30 p.m. and April 25 from 4 – 6 p.m.

Although this event is designed for families with young children ages 0-6, older siblings are also welcome. Toys will be set out for play and no registration is required—just show up full of energy!

Please note that access to the Field House track is not included as part of this event.

For questions, please contact Dimond Park Field House at (907) 364-3734 or [email protected].

CBJ Parks & Recreation is about to do something. It’s very very big. Very important. That’s right—it’s a Despicable Me Movie in the Park marathon! Each of the four Despicable Me movies will be presented at a different Parks & Recreation facility over the course of a month. Skate, swim, and run around while you watch, or make yourself comfortable on the sidelines and enjoy the show for free.

Bringing the whole family? Parks & Rec is introducing new family rates starting December 26! Admission to Juneau Pools for up to 2 adults and 3 youth/children is $22, and admission to Treadwell Arena for up to 2 adults and 3 youth is $25.

Despicable Me (PG): Saturday, December 28, at Treadwell Arena

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Regular admission rates apply to skaters (passes accepted and first-come, first-serve rental skates included), or watch for free from the bleachers. The maximum capacity is 100 skaters. Bring your appetite—popcorn will be available to purchase!

Despicable Me 2 (PG): Sunday, January 5 at Augustus G. Brown Pool

Locker rooms open at 6:15 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Regular admission rates apply to swimmers (passes accepted), or watch for free from the lobby. The maximum capacity is 75 swimmers, and guests are welcome to queue in the lobby before locker rooms open.

Despicable Me 3 (PG): Sunday, January 19 at Dimond Park Aquatic Center

Locker rooms open at 6:15 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Regular admission rates apply to swimmers (passes accepted), or watch for free from the lobby. The maximum capacity is 100 swimmers, and guests are welcome to queue in the lobby before locker rooms open.

Despicable Me 4 (PG): Saturday, January 25 at Dimond Park Field House

Doors open at 1:45 p.m. and the show begins at 2 p.m. This showing is free for everyone! Bring blankets and pillows to get comfy—low-back chairs are also permitted, just plan to sit to the side or near the back so as not to obstruct others’ view. Please also note that food or drinks other than water are not allowed on the turf.

For more information, please contact CBJ Parks & Recreation at (907) 586-5226 or [email protected].