Active Living in Santa Clarita

By City Manager Ken Striplin

"Exercise is the key, not only to physical health, but to peace of mind." - Nelson Mandela

After opening Skyline Ranch Park earlier this year, and having our official groundbreaking ceremonies for the future Rink Sports Pavilion and upgrades to David March Park, there are so many recreational opportunities in play for our residents. As we say goodbye to summer and welcome our fall and winter sports, I am excited to announce that members of our Recreation and Community Services Department are the new faces of the, "You've Got a Friend at City Hall" campaign. Designed to showcase our different divisions working for our City, this campaign showcases the work staff does each day and provides our community with more information about our resources and services.

One of the programs being highlighted is our Outdoor Recreation program. Just two weeks ago, the City's launched the annual Hiking Challenge - encouraging residents to explore the trails located in the Newhall Pass Open Space. Unlike years past, this season we are challenging our residents to complete a "marathon" of hikes. Whether you hike, run or jog with family or friends, participants are challenged to complete 26 miles of trails. Located in the southern part of Santa Clarita, the Newhall Pass Open Space spans hundreds of acres, allowing residents ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and hike in the pristine open space that surrounds our community. One of my favorite trailheads is Wildwood Canyon located in Newhall. Part of the greenbelt, this trail provides beautiful views of our City, paralleled with steep ridgelines, oak trees and wildlife. To learn more about the Hiking Challenge, please visit SantaClarita.gov/OutdoorRecreation.

Another integral part of our recreation team is our Adult Sports staff. This weekend, this team will help launch the start of our resident-favorite Adult Softball League, with game openers on September 29. If softball isn't your sport, I encourage you to try our drop-in teams, which include ultimate frisbee, soccer and senior football. This is perfect for those who want to meet new friends, stay active and have fun. Our Adult Sports team also offers basketball and volleyball leagues, which practice twice a week throughout the community.

With programming for every age, our Youth Sports team is the home of fall classes including flag football, volleyball, baseball and softball leagues. For kids who may have not have played a sport before but want to test it out before committing to a team, Youth Sports also offers a variety of clinics to help sharpen your skills. Starting this fall are our cross country and sideline cheer clinics, which go over sport fundamentals and teamwork. With programs for every age, this is a great opportunity to introduce your child to a new sport or give them the ability to grow their skills. Above all, these classes encourage sportsmanship and positive interaction between all of the athletes in our programs.

As a City that is proud to offer residents and visitors a wide variety of recreational opportunities, I know our Recreation and Community Services Department is excited to work with the community and further our goal of staying healthy and active in Santa Clarita. If you would like to learn more about any of the program's part of Outdoor Recreation, Youth Sports or Adult Sports, please visit SantaClarita.gov.

Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at [email protected].