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Show f Layton Recreation By DEE CARTER A rather complex operation within Layton City is the Parks and Recreation Department. Headed by Jay Starkey, the department consists of three divisions, parks, recreation, and swimming pool. Mr. Starkey has held the position for 13 years and has been a parks and recreation commissioner for five years. His interest in recreation began when he was a coach and organizer of youth sports in 1954. Supervising the parks division is Harry Dunn who has lived in Layton for 15 years since coming to work for the city. Two capable men, Jim Woodward and Dan Vincent, are foremen who assist him in the administration and field work. Mr. Dunn s background includes farming, construction, and grounds maintenance. In charge of recreation is Sam Dato, is a military retiree. He came to Utah in 1961 with the Air Force and has been with the city for four years. As senior advisor to the general staff, he contributed greatly to the morale of service families and young servicemen. In an interview with Mr. Starkey, he commented that while Mr. Dato was with the Air Force, the recreation program at Hill Air Force Base flourished and that he was very impressed with the command sergeant majors drive and performance. Assisting Mr. Dato are two young men, Dave Anderson and Rick Dixon. Dave has worked for the city for one year and he would like to continue working in recreation. His aspirations include becoming a recreation director. Rick has worked for the city for the past three summers and is a track coach at Layton High. He specializes in baseball (pee wees to 16 year olds) and track. All agreed that the Recreation Department owes a lot to Layton High and its principal, Vaun Barber, for the use of the schools facilities. According to Mr. Starkey, the hub of the wheel in the operation is Miss Jan Estes who handles all the secretarial for the three divisions. She makes up the schedules for little league, girls and adult softball, reserves the boweries, and attends to many other details within the department. The recreation department has a list of specific goals, which it hopes to complete within five years. That list is as follows: acquire Verdland School building; make available to the public leather work, ceramics, and photography (developing and printing); full time physical fitness for men and women, handball courts, squash courts, steam and sauna rooms, build a baseball and softball complex, place lights on Layton High School tennis courts and make four courts available during the night hours, organize men touch football, organize women touch football, organize girls basketball, organize winter and summer drama groups. ' An area of much activity for the parks division is the Layton Commons. Contracts were awarded bv the city council recently for tables, benches, and trash containers as well as for the paving of the road that runs by the LDS and Catholic seminaries. As soon as a sprinkling system is installed, grass will be planted. Children have been enjoying, for a while now. the playground equipment which was installed near the pool. Further development is planned for the area south of the museum site to Gentile, including boweries and an amphitheater. No. 1 The maintenance civs of the Layton Parks Department report to the city shops each weekday morning for their alignment for the day. No. Cheeking over the new playground equipment recently installed in the Layton Common are. to r. Park Superintendent. Harry Dunn, and hit two foremen. Jim Woodward and Dan Vincent. No. 3 Cathy Cooley, landing right. supervises the many teachers involved in the swimming lesson program. No. 4 Special track meets have been held in preparation for the Junior Olympics. Here, in the back. to r. Sam Dato. Dave Anderson, and Rick Dixon look on while youngsters practice. No. 5 Secretary Jail Estes coordinates many activities with the Parks and Recreation Department and has much public contact with laivton residents. No. 6 Heading the Parks and Recreation Department in Layton City is Jay Starkey. i 5 |