The Park Players program, whichis entering its 24th season in 2017, is a recreational
summer playground program designed to teach teens and children violence
prevention skills in a creative playground setting at Liberty Park in southwest Rockford.
The Park Players teaches children and teens how to get along with each other
peaceably, provides first-time job opportunities for young teens, and helps teens
develop leadership and positive life-building skills under the direction of experienced
adult staff members and community professionals. It is anticipated that 15-18 teens will
be hired each summer to teach and model nonviolent conflict resolution skills to
approximately 300 children (ages 5 - 10) who come to the Park Players program from
area daycare and child welfare agencies, Rockford Park District programs, and
community centers. The program runs Monday through Thursday afternoons from the
middle of June through the end of July, and includes time for teen staff team building,
field trips, rehearsal of dramas and games, presentation days, and times for evaluation.