County Marks Grand Opening Of First Police Activities League Recreation Center

ba/pal.pr 97-252 Contact: Ted Wroth, 301-217-8802

COUNTY MARKS GRAND OPENING
OF FIRST POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE
RECREATION CENTER For Immediate Release: Aug. 4, 1997

Montgomery County youth have a new "pal" to provide recreational and educational
opportunities for them during the summer and after school.
The Police Activities League (PAL) Recreation Center, located in the Good Hope
Community Center in Silver Spring, is the result of a cooperative effort between the County's
Recreation Department, Police Department and the Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission Park Police.
Free programs offered at the center will include sports, arts and crafts, games, trips,
cheerleading and tutoring for youth from seven to 18 years of age. The programs, which will
be cooperatively planned by recreation staff, police personnel and the community, will feature
police officers as leaders and coaches.
The center, which is part of the PAL pilot program, celebrated its official grand
opening today during ceremonies which included County Executive Douglas M. Duncan,
County Council President Marilyn J. Praisner, Montgomery County Police Chief Carol A.
Mehrling, M-NCPPC Park Police Acting Commander Elizabeth A. Kreiter and Recreation
Department Director Gregory A. Bayor.
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POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE REC CENTER 2-2-2-2

Recreation officials say that the opportunity to work face-to-face with local youth
should benefit the police, as well as the community being served.
The PAL Recreation Center Program is designed so that it can be instituted at other
community centers throughout the County.
Summer operating hours for the PAL Recreation Center are weekdays, 3 to 10 p.m.;
Saturdays, 5 to 10 p.m.
For more information about the PAL Recreation Center, programs to be offered, and
how to register, call the Good Hope Community Center at 301-989-1210.

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