WATSONVILLE – For the first time in two years, the Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation Department and the cities of Watsonville, Santa Cruz and Capitola partnered to host free in-person Family Fun Day at Ramsay Park in Watsonville to end Parks and Recreation Month. with a blow
“It’s so great to collaborate with all of our partners and get people outdoors and we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day,” said Jaime Jimenez, recreation supervisor for the city of Watsonville. “Seeing all the families and different generations interacting together outdoors without electronic devices brings me full circle.”
The first free family fun day took place at the Simpkins Family Swim Center in 2018 and at Harvey West Park in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was suspended.
“The agency’s host changes every year, and it was scheduled to be in Watsonville during the pandemic, so we had to put it on hiatus, but we’re excited to bring it back this year,” said Jessica Beebe, coordinator of ‘recreation of Santa Cruz County. Parks. “We just want to give families a free event to enjoy and come out and play.”
With Watsonville Parks and Community Services mascot Rex, multiple bounce houses, bouncy slides, oversized board games and obstacle courses, kids were having a field day while parents, like Watsonville resident Diana Mejia , they enjoyed the tranquility of the large and pleasant outdoor space. the weather.
“My daughter loves trampolines, so I brought her here today,” Mejia said. “We come to the park a lot, but this is the first time we’ve seen it like this.”
For Watsonville resident Rafael Monroy, the best part of the event was having a place to bring his kids close to home.
“It’s nice to have something to do with my family here locally where I don’t have to drive very far,” Watsonville resident Rafael Monroy said. “And it’s really nice that there’s a lot of open space for the kids to get all their energy out and have a good time.”
Like Monroy, Watsonville resident Eve Torres was also glad to have a fun local event to tire out her active son.
“This is such a healthy event, especially for the little ones, where they can explore and run around in this whole space,” Torres said. “Bounce houses are the best because kids can get all their energy out.”
With music, food trucks and activities for children and adults, the Free Family Fun Day was an event enjoyed by everyone in attendance, especially the children.
“I brought my son here to have fun and see other kids,” Selena Villanueva said. “He’s having a great time.”
