The Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit program has approved a grant to Marin County Parks for a free summer swim program for kids at McNears Beach Park on the shores of San Pablo Bay in San Rafael for the second consecutive year.
Starting June 20, McNears Beach Park will offer a “fee-free” swim day for children under the age of 17 each Thursday through the summer. Parks estimates that up to 1,000 children could visit the pool for free this summer.
The Kaiser Permanente grant also enables Marin County Parks to partner with a local summer camp and provide free swim lessons to children living in the Canal community of central San Rafael. The Kids Club Summer Program, part of Catholic Charities CYO Canal Family Support Services, is a seven-week camp offering offers activities such as physical fitness and nutrition, music, art, swimming, field trips and group team building. Last summer, nearly 70 children learned to swim through the program. The fee-free swim day is not limited to campers – all kids are welcome.
Carlos Garcia, Senior Program Director at Canal Family Support Services, said, “Through free field trips to the McNears Beach Park pool, we not only gain free, safe and supervised access to an outdoor pool in San Rafael but also give kids the vitally important opportunity to learn to swim.”
Linda Dahl, Marin County Parks Director, said she is excited the County is partnering with Kaiser Permanente again to get the kids into the park. “We want every child in Marin to get out and play in the fresh air,” she said. “This program gives them the added opportunity to gain a critical skill that will keep them safe and give them joy throughout their lives.”
About Marin County Parks
Marin County Parks is dedicated to educating, inspiring and engaging the people of Marin in the shared commitment of preserving, protecting and enriching the natural beauty of Marin’s parks and open spaces, and providing recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of all generations. To learn more about Parks and our anniversary celebrations, please visit www.marincountyparks.org.