Manteca’s Park and Recreation Department has a new mascot — and it’s not a gopher.
“Parky” is a giant squirrel that made his debut with the release this week of the Spring/Summer 2016 Activity Guide that outlines everything from class offerings and organized recreation leagues to special events.
The 50-page Activity Guide — the biggest yet — reflects the growing popularity and demand for city programs as well as a number of new offerings.
uManteca Food Truck Mania: The second Sunday of every month from April through October from 4 to 8 p.m. Manteca Rec is offering Food Truck Mania at Woodard Park. Besides food trucks there will be live music, family activities, and bounce houses.
 A second father-daughter dance this spring — Right on the heels of last month’s sold out event, Frozen Wonderland is  being offered on Saturday, May 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Manteca Senior Center.
 Fall adult kickball league: The fee is $250 per team.
uKids’ Night out Parties: Jedi Night Training on Friday, May 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. as well as Princess for an Evening on Friday, Aug. 19. Both are from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Manteca Senior City and cost $25 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.
u Kids’ Drive-In Party: Kids from ages 2 to 6 years are invited to the Manteca Senior Center on Friday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., to ride their toy or power driven cars for a night of crafts, games and race-inspired cookies. The fee is $25 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.
Manteca Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Toni Lundgren outlined those programs and other offerings in the Activity Guide during Thursday’s Manteca Rotary meeting at Ernie’s Rendezvous Room.
The activity guide was mailed this past week. It is also available by going to the city’s website at www.manteca.ci.us and going to the recreation and parks page where it is available in PDF form. The guide also includes information on renting park picnic facilities, the Lincoln Pool, and details on water conservation rules.
She noted that among one of the faster growing programs is swim lessons for adults.
More than 200 adults took the private lessons last year that are $105 for residents and $115 for nonresidents. They are offered from June to the end of August at Lincoln Pool and the Manteca High pool. They are either four classes on a Monday through Thursday schedule or on four consecutive Saturdays.
“It’s amazing to see adults after they have learned to swim,” Lundgren said. “It changes their lives in many cases.”
Lundgren is one of 33 fulltime employees in the department that range from parks maintenance workers to recreation supervisors.
There are well over a thousand part-time employees doing everything from teaching classes to officiating sports leagues. There are also more than 1,000 volunteers helping with programs.
The city has 47 neighborhood parks, three community parks, and 18 recreation facilities ranging from the Big League Dreams sports complex, the golf course, and Manteca Senior Center to the Spreckels Park BMX track, skate park, and Lincoln Pool.
Lundgren noted some of the just completed parks facilities include Crivello Mini Park at 790 Granite Lane in east Manteca, Dutra Estates Mini Park at 1523 Heartsong Drive in southwest Manteca, and a new Civic Center playground.
Projects that are expected to be completed in the coming year are a new dog park at the Civic Center, a new golf course sign, and a new Northgate Park picnic shelter.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com