Wood County Recreation Commission Summer Adventure program participant Waylon Moore, center, points at something in a raised bed garden Thursday at City Park as his cousin, Kyler Moore, left, and Aidan Amrine look on. Kids in the program planted vegetables under the guidance of the Wood County Master Gardeners. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Recreation Commission’s seven-week Summer Adventure program wraps up today at City Park.

About 70 children, ages 5 to 12, signed up with 25 to 30 participating each day, according to commission Director Bill Vincent.

The program offers children the chance to use the playgrounds and basketball and tennis courts at the park, as well as spend time twice a week at the swimming pool and splash pad. The commission also partnered with the Parkersburg Police and Fire departments, the Parkersburg/Wood County Public Library’s Bookmobile and the Wood County Master Gardeners to provide educational activities.

“It’s an opportunity for youth in the community to participate in new and exciting and different types of programs,” said Vincent, a former Wood County Schools middle school athletic director who was recently appointed to the director post.

Wood County Schools offered free lunches as part of the summer feeding program.

Wood County Recreation Commission Summer Adventure program participant Ariyah Moore, left, samples some cinnamon raisin carrot crunch made by Wood County Master Gardener Lynn Greenly as Lincoln Gura has a cherry during a presentation Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Kids were also exposed to a variety of healthy eating options through the weekly visit by the Master Gardeners.

“Every week, they’re eating vegetables,” said Eileen Mayer, who coordinated the activities for the Master Gardeners, an outreach program of the West Virginia University Extension.

They also got the chance to grow their own vegetables, planting squash, lettuce, radishes, green beans, carrots, peppers and beets in containers next to the commission office in the park.

“We did a lot of that for fast growth so they can see the results,” Master Gardener Lynn Greenly said.

It made an impression on participants like 11-year-old Emmalynn Amrine.

Wood County Recreation Commission Summer Adventure program participant Kenzie Curry gives Spencer Rader a piggyback ride between activities Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“I think it’s very educational. They teach us how to properly plant and grow a garden and how much water it needs,” she said. “We got the experience of actually how far to dig the hole and how deep to put the seeds in.”

The commission also organized the Summer Tennis program, which drew about 50 participants, according to a release from the commission. It began in early June and finishes today.

“These programs are providing youth in the community a safe place to be active and engaged promoting smart choices, physical activity and a nutritious meal,” Vincent said in the release.

The Wood County Recreation Commission is funded through a partnership between the City of Parkersburg and Wood County Commission. The Wood County Board of Education affords in-kind support through facilities and staff for various programs throughout the year.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Harrison Hartleben enjoys some fruits and vegetables during the Wood County Recreation Commission’s Summer Adventure program Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Wood County Master Gardener Lynn Greenly prepares cinnamon raisin carrot crunch for participants in the Wood County Recreation Commission’s Summer Adventure program Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Wood County Master Gardeners Earlene Carpenter and Lynn Greenly prepare cinnamon raisin carrot crunch for participants in the Wood County Recreation Commission’s Summer Adventure program Thursday at City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Parkersburg Police Patrolman 1st Class Jeremy Pinkerton, right, interacts with children in the Wood County Recreation Commission’s Summer Adventure program earlier this summer. (Photo Provided)

Fifty children participated in the Wood County Recreation Commission’s Summer Tennis program. (Photo Provided)