By Kathy Chouteau
The third time was the charm Friday for the “3rd Annual Snow Day at Nicholl Park,” with local kids digging in for a good time after two postponements due to inclement weather.
The City of Richmond’s Community Services—Recreation Department initially scheduled the Snow Day for Dec. 22, but had to reschedule it due to bad weather to Feb. 18. Earlier in the week, the event was rained out and moved over to Feb. 20. Ultimately, Friday proved to have the perfect weather for a just-prior-to-the-event snow dump from All Seasons Ice.
Recreation Specialist Eric Martin II said that while the WCCUSD is out of school this week, the recreation departments hosts camps, as well as during Spring Break and Winter Break. “So this was the best week that we know kids are going to be in the area for the event,” he said, adding that it’s not only Richmond kids, it’s also El Cerrito and San Pablo kids too using the event’s Snow Slide and snow-covered Putting Green.
The snow slide provided kids with a launching pad for a ride down a gentle hill, and they were assisted at the top by a Richmond Police Department officer and a Recreation Department staffer. Nearby, kiddie chaos ensued in the snow-covered Putting Green, which was fenced off for easy corralling by parents. Snowballs flew to-and-fro—including at this reporter—as the littles played in the snow and made icy creations.
Remarking about the snowy Putting Green, Richmond father Brennan King, who had his nearly 7-year-old daughter in tow in a Pikachu suit, said, “My parents grew up here, and then we moved back. I love it. It’s our second time coming to the Snow Day. It’s been really, really fun, and Jhae has a blast.”
Deputy Director of Community Services—Recreation Ranjana Maharaj said that “We made this happen,” adding that “Families can come out with the kids and have a good time all day.” She noted, “This year we added the amenity of additional sports or [interactive games]; the kids could have a little bit more fun, not only in the snow.” Aside from the inflatable basketball, football and other games, also on hand were burgers, hot dogs and drinks served up by Michoacán Burgers.
“Thank you to our Recreation staff,” said Richmond Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, noting all the coordination it took to keep moving the Snow Day. At the event from its start, he said it quadrupled in number of attendees from the morning. “This might be the only time these kids get the opportunity to see and touch snow.” Later he added, “It’s about giving our community different resources and different opportunities.”
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, attending the Snow Day for the first time, summed up his take on the event in three short words: “I love it!” Then he waited in line, jumped in a saucer and rode down the hill.
