Parks & Rec is changing how it runs youth services

To increase collaboration within the Parks & Recreation Department and with community partners, all administration for youth recreation programs and youth social programs will be housed under the Zach Gordon Youth Center.

Recreation Coordinator Amanda Lovejoy, who’s been located in the Parks & Recreation Department in City Hall, will be moving her office to the Zach Gordon Youth Center in the beginning of May. Lovejoy is in charge of running Youth Sports, like Start Smart, youth indoor/outdoor soccer and basketball programs, and working closely with coaches, parents and families. The Zach Gordon Youth Center is already home to CBJ’s youth social services, like afterschool and summer programming.

“This change allows Parks & Rec to have a united front as a youth services provider. Instead of having sports as one silo and social programs as another, we’re now combining both of them to achieve further collaboration with each other, as well as with community partners and initiatives focused on prevention and support services for youth in Juneau,” Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Duncan said. “The goal is to provide recreational and social opportunities for all of Juneau’s youth regardless of ability level or life circumstance, and to ultimately serve the community better.”

Recreation Coordinator Amanda Lovejoy can still be reached at 586-0426, but starting in early May, her office will be located at the Zach Gordon Youth Center.

For more information, contact Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Duncan at 586-5226 or [email protected].