Special Section

Interactive Feature

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Green Space for Everyone
New Castle is building parks for all corners of the county.
Where the horses reach out
It may be therapeutic and educational, but kids typically use a different word to describe New Castle County’s Therapeutic Riding at Carousel (TRAC) program.
A Good Place to Get Fit
New Castle county offers sports and exercise programs to suit just about everyone.
More Than A Collection of Books
County libraries transform thriving communities.
Going Green to Save Costs and the Environment
New police headquarters a model for energy efficient buildings of the future.
Planning for the Future
County leaders envision affordable, connected communities.

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A Good Place to Get Fit
New Castle county offers sports and exercise programs to suit just about everyone.

Men’s soccer at Kirkwood Soccer Club, one of many sports leagues in the county.

Health clubs, yoga studios and express fitness chains have popped up all over the place, offering a variety of lessons, trainers and programs to help folks young and old get in shape. But getting fit is not a “members only” activity, thanks to the Community Activity Centers, striders program and sports leagues found across New Castle County.

With locations across the county, Community Activity Centers have become a local cornerstone of health and wellness, offering fitness and exercise programs, team sports, facilities for active seniors and after-school activities.

The program guide for the centers includes activities for people of all interests, abilities and ages. At the Hockessin Community Activity Center, people can play racquetball, practice yoga, learn karate, experience boot camp training or enjoy line dancing. Kids can learn tumbling, ballet or tap dancing. The centers in Garfield Park and Hockessin also offer drop-in recreation activities such as pick-up basketball games, weight training and even a quick game of billiards.

“Whether you like aerobics, dancing or karate, there’s something for everyone,” says County Council President Paul Clark. “County Community Activity Centers give thousands of kids, adults and seniors ways to be active and stay healthy at a reasonable price and with little cost to taxpayers.”

Even indoor walkers call the Community Activity Centers home through the New Castle County Super Striders Club, located at the Garfield Park and Hockessin locations. Walking is available on a drop-in basis on weekday mornings at no cost. Club members drop in regularly, with members walking more than 1,000 miles in some cases.

The county’s competitive sports program manages a staggering 800 teams in a full year. There are 230 softball teams, 190 adult soccer teams, 10 teams of nine-man football and eight women’s field hockey teams, in addition to another 20 high school-age field hockey teams. The center recently launched its first indoor wiffleball league.

Local residents propose new ideas for sports, notes Andy Bero, community sports and athletic activity coordinator.

The suggestions lead to new fields and leagues. In addition to softball, football, soccer and hockey fields, New Castle County now boasts a constantly used cricket field in the Brandywine Hundred area.

“Basically, it just takes someone asking us for something they’re interested in,” he explains. “Around here, you’ll always find people who are interested in participating in a new activity.”

Photo by Stephen Cherry